FIVE instructors from the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone have done in a day what it normally takes their trainees a week to complete.
Four Royal Marines physical training instructors and one Army counterpart successfully completed all four tests required to don the coveted green beret in 24 hours – raising more than £10,000 for charity in the process.
Typically five days are set aside for aspiring commandos to pass the gruelling challenge. In true Royal Marines fashion, the instructors took on the challenge ‘to prove it could be done’.
The tough challenge began with the Tarzan assault course at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, Near Exeter, then they completed the gruelling Royal Marines endurance course, a slog of more than 11 miles from Lympstone, across Woodbury Common, and back to camp, finishing in the dark.
On returning, the Physical Training Instructors immediately hit the Devon country lanes in the dark of night to complete a nine-mile speed-march in just 90 minutes. After only five hours’ sleep the Commandos travelled to Dartmoor to complete the final test, the infamous and arduous 30-mile ‘yomp’ across the rugged terrain in under eight 8 hours.
All tests have to be completed carrying over 30lbs of military kit and equipment.
Sergeant Les Barrow Royal Marines, said: “This has been an absolute epic; it’s one of those things that seemed a good idea at the time,”
Event co-ordinator and competitor was Royal Marine C/Sgt Baz Colarusso, who was a tired man at the finish but delighted by the efforts of everyone. “This has been great, all the lads have bonded really well and showed true Commando spirit throughout.” The five commandos made the finish line near Princetown on Dartmoor with only seconds to spare.
“There were times on the 30-miler when it was looking beyond us but we dug in deep and kept going,” said Baz. “The things we do for charity.” The challenge was completed in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Children’s Charity and Children in Need.