Double Olympic gold medallist cyclist Victoria Pendleton and adventurer/explorer Dwayne Fields will champion the UK’s elite Royal Marines after being unveiled today as official ambassadors.
Visiting the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone near Exeter, they were named as Honorary Colonels in the Royal Marines Reserve as they watched recruits put through their paces.
Their expertise, experience and knowledge are intended to help would-be green berets through their training and introduce the commandos to new audiences and communities.
Both are determined to show their commitment to their ambassadorial roles by taking on the physical challenges Royal Marines must pass to earn the coveted green beret.
“It is a privilege to be considered for this honorary role and to be associated with the Royal Marines,” Victoria said.
“I appreciate and respect their dedication and commitment to excellence. As a civilian, I look forward to gaining insight and understanding into the demands and requirements necessary to be part of this elite group. I pledge to uphold the mindset and values of the Royal Marine Commandos with dedication and respect.”
Dwayne added: “I’ve always respected the values, mindset and spirit of the Royal Marines, that ‘strive to improve and inspire’ attitude and its approach to respecting others.
“That’s why I look forward to my association with the Corps, working closely with our brave serving personnel and the challenge of attempting the Commando tests.”
The Royal Navy bestows honorary titles on a small group of individuals from across the UK– largely drawn from the worlds of business, academia and parliament.
They act as advocates for the Navy and Royal Marines, spreading the message that the Service is a force for good in the world, but also providing discreet insight, advice and counsel into the Navy’s senior leadership team.
Victoria was invited to become an Honorary Colonel as she can relate to the intense physical and mental requirements of being a Royal Marine, having spent most of her adult life enduring a similarly-intensive training regime to help her become a double Olympic and several times World Champion cyclist.
Her advice will be invaluable in helping refine the physical aspects of recruit training for all, but especially for female recruits.
Dwayne has a background in adventure and polar exploration. Having become a victim of knife and gun crime during his early life in London, Dwayne’s focus is on inspiring and giving opportunity to young people, particularly in inner cities, to engage with the natural world through exploration.
The Corps will benefit from his links into various youth communities and his Arctic exploration expertise.
General Gwyn Jenkins, Commandant General Royal Marines, said the Corps would benefit from the input, advice and support of both new honorary officers.
“As a former Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth champion cyclist, Victoria is one of Great Britain’s most successful female Olympians,” he said.
“As the Corps continues to invest in human performance, she will prove to be an excellent ambassador, inspiring our people, present and future, to be the best they can be, physically and mentally.”
General Jenkins continued: “Dwayne was the first black Briton – and the second black person in the world – to reach the North Pole, an Expedition he undertook to inspire others to realise that no matter what we may think, things are not necessarily impossible to achieve.
“With that mindset, Dwayne will be an incredible ambassador for the Commando Force, the UK’s Arctic warfare specialists, as we continue to train and prepare in the High North. Dwayne’s knowledge, passion and expertise will only aid in our reach and abilities.”
Crown Copyright