I can assure you, as someone who works on those kind of shows, that it was no more than a glorified recruitment tool for the corps, as is the current series on the BBC. "How to make a Royal Marines officer" is a far better representation. It's on YT.
I vaguely remember this documentary, and to think that it was pretty much filmed a generation ago. Bravo Ben for getting through and doing a bit of time with RM Commando. thanks for sharing.
thank you for uploading very much appreciated, an incite into selection that you can't really see anywhere else, wonder how much its changed since, cant wait to go for it.
Hi Ben, interesting to see this. I was 17 years old when I went to Poole in 1989 on a pre POC, which included the USMC physical fitness test. I think by the time we had completed the 'warm up' we'd done about 100 press ups, first exercise, 'press up position down'. Also, doing the 6 x 50m shuttle runs, after the sit ups, press ups and pullups, is interesting lol. I think 3 people threw up after the shuttle run. Only a few minutes into the video, so will be interesting to see how you got on. I subsequently also did RAF pilot selection at 17, and passed, eventually making my decision after Uni, and went on to Sandhurst, the beginning of 9 interesting years.
Well done. Interesting to see the board discussions about some of the candidates, including yourself. Wonder what your take was when you saw it. RCB there is no such 'debrief'. Pre RCB is 2.5 days, RCB 3.5 days, and you go home and wait for the letter to arrive. I was at home, a day or two later when Dad woke me up with letter in hand (he was a serving Lt Col at the time). Emotional opening it and seeing that I had been selected to attend the Academy. From first entering the HM Forces Career office, to first day at Sandhurst, was about a year and a half.
@@BenBrabyn cheers. I don’t think Sandhurst is intended to be ‘enjoyed’ as such. It’s a long year. Glad I did it and no regrets. It was certainly an experience as well as membership into a fairly exclusive ‘club’. To use Gen Hal Moore’s phrase: We were soldiers once, and young.
@@jimmoynahan9910 lol. Poole is Royal Marines, as in Royal Marine Commandos. Also, the RM selection did indeed use the USMC physical fitness test and I’m pretty sure it’s even mentioned in this program.
To all you Brits trying out for the Royal Marine Officer Course: from a US Marine who’s taken the USMC Fitness test numerous times. We’re glad we weren’t the only ones who had to take it.
I actually remember watching this in 1994 and it always stuck in my mind that they asked you to find Belize (I’d never heard of it) and that you got the highest score. Stumbling on it again is like full circle… I went through a similar process with RAF selection - and found it challenging. I’m just not built that way. Hope you had a good career. Thanks for posting.
That Belize question really threw me too! I pointed at somewhere on the north coast of South America - Guyana maybe - about 2,000 miles from the right answer! I served for 5 years, though you never really get to leave the Royal Marines. Highly recommended! Thanks for getting in touch.
Don't send them over in winter, Dartmoor is bloody horrible. And try and get them over as a group, we have only a few Fijians in the Corps and the change in culture seems to be quite dramatic for them so having a fellow Fijian to train with is an absolute bonus. I wish them well, I've never met a Fijian I didn't like ... except on the rugby pitch!
1980, bottom field. Happy memories. Served with 45 Commando as a Marine Private First Class. Huge respect to Ben Brabyn, who joined long after me and is a stroke/cancer survivor.
I remember coming away from my RN AIB having been told I’d passed but had been poor in maths. So I was happy but also annoyed at myself. Then as I was stood at the train station on my way back I got a call and they told me they’d buggered up the scores for maths because they’d used the wrong matrix and I’d actually smashed it. All the little PLTs were bollocks as long as you played the game - I’d done stuff like that in school with gym teachers who must have served themselves and brought the PLTs back into a school setting. Essentially, “the floor is lava” but with benches and ropes. 19 years ago…I’m still in now. Still clinging on for that pension…anyone watching this interested in either RN or RM, the advice to be yourself is not entirely wrong, but it’s more like “don’t try to be somebody you’re not”. You will only end up seeing yourself and the service off at the same time - lose/lose. I remember the moment that I knew I’d passed the oral board when they asked me “what makes you angry?” and after a second’s thought, I answered “wilful ignorance”. They all nodded and raised their eyebrows and marked something on their pads. It was one of those little moments in life that you never forget. It told me I was being honest with them and that they they liked what they saw. What it didn’t tell them was that I was an officer. It just told them I could be an officer if I trained. I don’t think I really became a fully effective officer until I’d been in for about 8 years, and I only left specialist training in year 4, so that tied in with what the board President said about “what do you think you’ll be doing for the first eight years?” If the lad answering had time travelling abilities, he would probably say, “well sir, I’ll be actually becoming a useful officer in that time, listening to people who know better than I do and learning how to do my job efficiently and safely”. Don’t think that’s quite what they’d expect though! Remember, they’re not looking for people who are officers already. They’re trying to find out if you’re the kind of person who can become an officer. You’ve got to approach this thing from the perspective of “I’ve made my choice, I’ve committed, so why wouldn’t you pick me?” You’re saying to them, “it’s people like me that you want”. You’re proving that you can justify their decision to let you train to become an officer. The path is just opening up at that point. The road to making it a reality is much longer.
I did both the POC and the AIB and confirm this is an accurate reflection of the two. Basically you've either got it or you haven't before you arrive, a three day course won't change you, it just shows the RM whether you have the potential. Go for it lads.
Did and passed both too (1985) but loved the POC and hated the AIB with a vengeance. Ended up not taking up my offer as I already had a job and never really regretted it - it was the days of them not telling you how well or badly you’d passed at the AIB and how far up or down the list you were so I’d accepted a job while I was waiting. Such is life 😀
Many thanks for posting this Ben. I remember watching when it first aired. I was in the middle of an application for the met police at the time. On passing the interview board I called home and stole your line about how I would look in blue. Fell on deaf ears and had to explain myself 😐. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this again. Very accurate opinions from the interviewers.
Great to hear that you got through with the MET, and also that you got to use that line! That scene was a retake - I had already made the calls to family and friends when the BBC team found me, so they asked me to do it again. According to the TH-cam statistics, it's the most-replayed part of the whole film!
So you joined the most pathetic shower of women and men on this planet the rejects of society in blue or as we used to call them in the army, Filthy Useless Cunts!!!
@@BenBrabyn I hope the standards are still very high now to pass this course. Should be bloody tough in every possible way. Unfortunately today's society is becoming absolutely pathetic but i am not bowing down to it.
@@peternagy-im4be Judging by the performance of the Future Commando Force it looks likely that the standards are at least as tough as ever and the ability and determination of the current serving generation of Royal Marines is inspiring! www.forces.net/news/royal-marines/what-royal-marines-future-commando-force
It's so defining to see the standards expected of these young gentleman and the general maturity expected as well as how hard they have to work to push themselves and how they conduct themselves!
They introduced the USMC tests because they lost so many in the early weeks of training due to lack of physical ability. We never did it - fitness training started as we joined (1976). But we lost a lot in the first few weeks. I'm glad I didn't have to do it - I don't know, thinking back, how many of us would have passed it!
To be fair, the USMC and RM are similar in the fact that they both bear the name Marine in their titles, but from there the similarities are almost non existent.
Not really. This is about the same standard as that of Officer Candidate School- MCB Quantico. It's not enough to get a 1st Class PFT score, you need to be in the 90th percentile to train. Which equals....the standards you're seeing in this video.
@@chriserickson7096 Mate, I’ve been to Quantico and Kings Bay, and cross trained with the USMC on numerous occasions. Solid lads and extremely professional. But if you’re trying to suggest there is a similarity in the training standards between RM and USMC, you are obviously neither. I know a few USMC JNCOs and Officers have passed the 8 week All Arms Commando course, but the number is very low to the ratio of attempts, and the all arms course is not even comparable to RM training let alone Royal Marine officer training.
Thank you so much for uploading this; and from one of the candidates too!! I taped this when I was in sixth form in 1994 because I wanted to join the Royal Marines as an officer and watched it many, many times. Ultimately, the documentary put me off applying as the process was more difficult than I'd thought and I eventually went into the army instead. Some observations 26 years on: The marine and naval officers on the programme all appeared to be public school educated [probably Russell Group too] and were very stiff upper lip e.g. the type of people who order "spotted dick" at the canteen and don't laugh. Army officers in the early 2000s were certainly a more diverse bunch. I would say there are pros and cons for this type of change. The officers on this programme certainly appeared to be very intelligent and competent. As a 16/17 year old, I thought Nick was the "cool dude" as he seemed to breeze through this tough process without trying too hard. Looking at this now, Nick as a young guy was very immature and some of his answers in the AIB interview were a complete "no no" lol. He made it too though and I'm sure he's doing well today. All the best, Matt
Hi Matt - I'm glad you enjoyed it, but sorry it put you off joining the Corps. I think we were all a bit stiffer upper lipped because we were being filmed - as if the pressure of what we were doing wasn't enough, without millions of people getting to watch! We were a bit more relaxed off camera. At the time the media response was harsh for Tom White - he was written up as "public school boy Tom" - when in fact as far as I'm aware he was the only one of us candidates who hadn't been to a private school. I'm not sure about the serving officers who did the interviewing. Nick was (and is) a good guy, and was the popular favourite when the film was first broadcast. The most common reaction I had was "you are that guy from the TV aren't you? My mum really liked you!". Are you still in the Army, or have you returned to civilian life?
@@BenBrabyn Hi Ben, I was in the Light Infantry and left in 2004. Apologies, regarding the stiff upper lip comment, I was referring to the recruiting staff at Lympstone and AIB not the candidates. I think they just reflected the military culture of the time. This seemed to change quite considerably during the Blair years from what I observed [in the army anyway]. Well done for getting through that process, I was very envious as a teenager. As an outsider looking in, we forget you had a TV crew filming in the corner throughout as well. I bet the 15 months of officer training made POC look like a weekend away!
24:35 watching that young man use the hammer in that way is almost painful. You'd think he'd never picked one up before! 37:38 maybe if he actually sat up straight, he would have earned a few more points. A momma's boy who has been pampered a bit too much.
This has haunted me ever since. The wood was very dry and springy and the nails kept bouncing out. We didn't have much time so they just filmed me slapping the nails carefully so they didn't fall.
I disagree. Hammering the nail, painful, yes, but the remainder of his conduct was exemplary. Polite, humble, intelligent and physically fit, far more than I was at that age and even now. I’d much rather follow that than a big headed, egotistic dictator.
@@BenBrabyn Fair play Ben I must admit I did find it amusing. Aged 70 now I was never brave enough to join up but I am pleased to say our youngest grandson is currently doing his basic training and wants to join the REME. Pleased to say he recently passed his attitude test when a Corporal called him a C**T because his boot lace came undone and unlike his grandad he never reacted but instead did the lace up. Can I ask did your time in the army help in your life after it as I would love to think our grandson will also benefit from his service as well.
@@2wheelsrbest327 best of luck to your grandson! Joining the REME is likely to bring all sorts of benefits. Many of the most successful veterans I've met have picked up technical skills during their service that are highly valued in civilian life. I have found that people still pay a lot of attention to my military background despite the fact I've been out more than 20 years and have done several other things since. So it helps both because of the skills I picked up while serving and also because people find it interesting and a handy shorthand for what I offer - though sometimes that means they expect me to be more conventional than I am!
@@BenBrabyn Thanks for your kind words to my grandson Ben . Before I end our conversation I just want to add you are clearly as nice a man as I saw on the screen. Best wishes Ted
Seems to be a measurement of character. As school sport competitive sport and extra-curricular activities decline it would be interesting to know if the same standards apply? Good to see David Kassabian has had a stellar career.
'5 for fitness, 4 for Presentation but only a 2 on the assault course' 'Is he posh?' 'yes, posh as f*ck - I was at the other place with his uncle' 'Damn good Lacrosse player' 'Pass'
Awesome training and interviews, really educational. Fun to see the "tribute" to Freddie Mercury in action there (white sleeveless T-shirt and poses) by one of the instructors!
I am certain you ran past us on your Endurance Course pass out Ben, June 1996 ? We were somewhere nearby the football ground by CTC, we might have been heading into the field, can't remember exactly but the PTI saw you running down in the distance and told us Nods to cheer you on as you went past which we did - I'd seen this documentary back in 1995 and there you were (I think) 'at the speed of a thousand gazelles' ha ha ha - The PTI told us 'that YO was on a documentary last year' Would it have been you or another YO?
You're right - that must have been me. Nick did it in summer '95, and I was a year later in summer '96. Sorry I didn't wave back! What happened to you after your time at CTC?
15:39 thought it was interesting to see that the exit to that tunnel matches exactly to the one they put Gordon Ramsey through later as seen in the vid "Gordon Ramsay Trains With The British Royal Marines | Gordon Ramsay" at about 3:10 in that video.
You're right! But that was about take 15 - the wood was very dry and springy, and the nail kept bouncing out. Luckily they let me in anyway, though I'm still getting plenty of advice on hammer technique!
@@BenBrabyn a refined process of highlighting and drawing out the ability and developing professionalism and character in recruits. There is a lot about the military that I don’t grasp, understand or like but I appreciate the focus on development. If a similar process was available for different careers I think that would be a good thing. It seems the world is valuing the opposite these days.
@@georgemulford2910 it is certainly impressive how much attention the military pay to both selection and training, and few private sector organisations seem able to match this.
@@BenBrabyn yes, I suppose the private sector needs less rigidity and benefits from a more fluid organisational structure, I’m not sure? Do you appreciate the time you spent in the army?
@@georgemulford2910 I'm not sure about that - adaptability is one of the central principles of the military. It's very good at preparing people to deal with uncertainty and change. I certainly appreciate the time I spent in the Royal Marines and have found what I learned there - and the people I met - valuable for life.
Enjoyed my POC in 1991. Follow the 6 week training plan and you’d be fine, don’t turn up if you couldn’t do it. The double fire carry was a shock, ‘now turn around and do it again’. One tip, don’t drop the log on your hand…….and harden your spin ready for pushing along on it in the tunnels once your knees are fubar!
These videos which I much enjoy, do make me regret that even though I enjoyed the ACF and subsequently the TA serving in 2 units, yet I did not try for a military career, notwithstanding I enjoyed a long and successful legal career until I retired at 56 two decades ago.
Nick and I joined the RM and each served for 5 years. Nick is now in business - you can see more at www.linkedin.com/in/nick-cunningham-c2w/, and so am I - www.linkedin.com/in/benbrabyn/. Tom successfully passed the Commando Course some years later as an officer in the Royal Engineers reserves, and Rowan, I think, is living in Glasgow, but it's been a while since we caught up.
@@BenBrabyn have read your linkedin profile Capt. One outstanding individual. Whilst your post service life and skills have no doubt shone your excellene in far greater pathways, hopefully the time in RC helped build that excellence. Well done, and to date, I belive you are still the highest scoring applicant to the AIB! I fell short of you by 30 points 😉
Shame to hear it. Anyway, great programme about the POC, you've definitely inspired me even more to go for the Officer role considering you went to Edinburgh Uni - hopefully I'll be studying Economics there when I get my results. The city and its hills must be a great place to train.
Rohan Newron. Not Rowan. I wondered if maybe he had tried to go down the Army route instead but a checked of LinkedIn etc would suggest not. Gosh, how old does he look now compared to his appearance here. Er unlike me, of course. Haven't changed a bit......
Your disability does not stop you doing things for defence. 99% of defence is support. Only 1% is operational. Do what you want to add to that 99%. Become an inventory manager. Work for the MoD as a contractor. Do something that makes you proud. Best wishes.
I stayed in the Royal Marines for 5 years, leaving in 2000. I'm still in touch with many friends still serving, and many who have left. A great start to a career and highly recommended!
@@BenBrabyn Great stuff , I did All Arms Commando (29 RA) back in the 80's but decided that trips to Norway were not for me. Went on to the Airborne instead. Both great esprit de corps (Marines more thoughtful Airborne more aggressive) You do make great friends for life that' for sure.
@Harry Smith I left Level39 in March and I'm figuring out what comes next. I'm spending plenty of time on genieshares.com which coincidentally involves several former Royal Marines.
That must have been a laugh listening to their responses after becoming an officer Ben - Hope your well - Will take notes from this video when i eventually get round to try the officer training myself
The Royal Marines used to use this standardised test as the first check on the fitness of a potential recruit or officer. I believe it has now been replaced by an adapted version called the Royal Marines Fitness Assessment.
The Royal Marines wanted to have a basic level of cardio and muscular fitness for their recruits, on which they could build and develop during training. It was seen that the fitness test then in use by the US Marine Corps provided confirmation of a good, broad level of fitness. It wasn't deliberately chosen because it was used by the U.S. Marines. And nor was it intended to be a bit of a criticism of the Americans that our recruits should be as fit bad their trained marines.
Simillar to the german one, the interview part, but here we have all officiers going through one assesment center, the physical is just a small aspect (3km cycling or so 5 seconds holding a pull up and a sprint/ I did not need to do them because of corona but its super easy). But before the interview we had 2 group situations and one presentation for about one hour and a half. Then the interview, were PC tests and medical got measured and then the group situation and the the interview. I had 2 people in the interview one was bad cop the other good. For us it is one officier and one phsycologist, asking back ground questions, personal informations and about the motivation.
@@JammyDodger45 I would argue it is more lack of natural resources, combined with the pre WW lack of diplomatic education of the officer corps. The tactics used and the local leadership is very efficient and works even better now with smaller units operating in the same area.
Imperial measures were introduced in the British Empire in 1824. More recently the UK has adopted more of the metric system, but distances and speeds are still usually given in miles and mph.
I think the elite physical standards by the best today will be better than then. We have more gyms and supplements now than ever. I am 44 now and probably in better physcial shape than many of those- muscle and endurance.
Christ alive Ben, I've seen someone drag a job out, but hitting that nail in you really took the biscuit. That really is an officer hitting a nail in.
Agreed, I nearly shouted "hold the handle further down!".
lol yep hit that bloody nail 😂
Come here for this exact reason 😂😂
It seemed to be coming out more than it was going in lol
I thought the same thing 😂😂😂
A more accurate representation and insight into training than the more recent documentary Royal Marines Commando School. Thanks for the upload
That documentary was absolutely awful. It was one of worst I've ever watched on the R.M.s
@@chrisholland7367 I hated seeing people in comments bashing the ‘easy’ training under the first episodes 🙄
I can assure you, as someone who works on those kind of shows, that it was no more than a glorified recruitment tool for the corps, as is the current series on the BBC. "How to make a Royal Marines officer" is a far better representation. It's on YT.
Agreed! made it all out to be a bit of a joke and I wasn’t overly impressed with the instructors either, other than the sergeant at the end.
@@exex9378I failed my AIB back in 1989. Even at that stage, it was clear that things weren't going to be 'as advertised"!
I vaguely remember this documentary, and to think that it was pretty much filmed a generation ago. Bravo Ben for getting through and doing a bit of time with RM Commando. thanks for sharing.
Ouch - it was a generation ago! It's a pleasure to share!
Huge respect to all these lads. No way could I have done any of that.
All you need is an ego the size of a small country
thank you for uploading very much appreciated, an incite into selection that you can't really see anywhere else, wonder how much its changed since, cant wait to go for it.
Wow what a great piece of archive footage you have. Well done 👏
Hi Ben, interesting to see this. I was 17 years old when I went to Poole in 1989 on a pre POC, which included the USMC physical fitness test. I think by the time we had completed the 'warm up' we'd done about 100 press ups, first exercise, 'press up position down'. Also, doing the 6 x 50m shuttle runs, after the sit ups, press ups and pullups, is interesting lol. I think 3 people threw up after the shuttle run.
Only a few minutes into the video, so will be interesting to see how you got on.
I subsequently also did RAF pilot selection at 17, and passed, eventually making my decision after Uni, and went on to Sandhurst, the beginning of 9 interesting years.
Well done. Interesting to see the board discussions about some of the candidates, including yourself. Wonder what your take was when you saw it.
RCB there is no such 'debrief'. Pre RCB is 2.5 days, RCB 3.5 days, and you go home and wait for the letter to arrive. I was at home, a day or two later when Dad woke me up with letter in hand (he was a serving Lt Col at the time). Emotional opening it and seeing that I had been selected to attend the Academy.
From first entering the HM Forces Career office, to first day at Sandhurst, was about a year and a half.
@@SeanHendy Congratulations on passing RCB! I hope you enjoyed Sandhurst and what followed.
@@BenBrabyn cheers. I don’t think Sandhurst is intended to be ‘enjoyed’ as such. It’s a long year. Glad I did it and no regrets. It was certainly an experience as well as membership into a fairly exclusive ‘club’. To use Gen Hal Moore’s phrase: We were soldiers once, and young.
You mean the RM fitness test. They wouldn't use a "USMC" test since they aren't commandoes but regular troops. Also it's a different country...
@@jimmoynahan9910 lol. Poole is Royal Marines, as in Royal Marine Commandos.
Also, the RM selection did indeed use the USMC physical fitness test and I’m pretty sure it’s even mentioned in this program.
YO Batch September '90 from the Jamaica Defence Force. Once on a lifetime experience. No regrets !!
Those are memories you will carry for the rest of the your life
@Raj Maj why is where someone's from relevant anyway, Raj?
motto: tokin and blazin
Brilliant!
Well done Sir
To all you Brits trying out for the Royal Marine Officer Course: from a US Marine who’s taken the USMC Fitness test numerous times. We’re glad we weren’t the only ones who had to take it.
Nightmare
I don't think they do the USMC FT anymore, I believe it's changed a bit since the 90s but the tests are still heavily based on it
lol ! It`s brutal. I especially liked the gymn sessions.
I actually remember watching this in 1994 and it always stuck in my mind that they asked you to find Belize (I’d never heard of it) and that you got the highest score. Stumbling on it again is like full circle… I went through a similar process with RAF selection - and found it challenging. I’m just not built that way. Hope you had a good career. Thanks for posting.
That Belize question really threw me too! I pointed at somewhere on the north coast of South America - Guyana maybe - about 2,000 miles from the right answer! I served for 5 years, though you never really get to leave the Royal Marines. Highly recommended! Thanks for getting in touch.
@@BenBrabyn Ah that's lovely you posted the vid. Thanks I tried to join 3 different armies in 94 and none of the bastards would let me in!!
I've read this book. "The famous Five go army training."
I like the part where they get lashings and lashings of ginger beer.
Join up and have a go .
@@TheChooch1964 Nah.
They must have run out of ginger beer by the time I joined. As for the lashings...
@@BenBrabyn 😁😁
Thanks, Ben greetings from Fiji. I am currently preparing some Fijian boys for Marine Commandos... i find your video helpful... thank you for sharing.
Thank you - and good luck with the preparation!
Don't send them over in winter, Dartmoor is bloody horrible.
And try and get them over as a group, we have only a few Fijians in the Corps and the change in culture seems to be quite dramatic for them so having a fellow Fijian to train with is an absolute bonus.
I wish them well, I've never met a Fijian I didn't like ... except on the rugby pitch!
@@JammyDodger45 Thanks Jammy your mindful comment is duly noted... thank you
1980, bottom field. Happy memories. Served with 45 Commando as a Marine Private First Class. Huge respect to Ben Brabyn, who joined long after me and is a stroke/cancer survivor.
Well I mean you didn’t did you, seeing as how that’s an American rank.
@@esprimo1994 Well... i could bite and give up my serial P0 number, but...sod you! Woodbury rash was not fun...there you go, I cracked a little!!
that rank has never existed within the Royal marines
I remember coming away from my RN AIB having been told I’d passed but had been poor in maths. So I was happy but also annoyed at myself. Then as I was stood at the train station on my way back I got a call and they told me they’d buggered up the scores for maths because they’d used the wrong matrix and I’d actually smashed it. All the little PLTs were bollocks as long as you played the game - I’d done stuff like that in school with gym teachers who must have served themselves and brought the PLTs back into a school setting. Essentially, “the floor is lava” but with benches and ropes. 19 years ago…I’m still in now. Still clinging on for that pension…anyone watching this interested in either RN or RM, the advice to be yourself is not entirely wrong, but it’s more like “don’t try to be somebody you’re not”. You will only end up seeing yourself and the service off at the same time - lose/lose. I remember the moment that I knew I’d passed the oral board when they asked me “what makes you angry?” and after a second’s thought, I answered “wilful ignorance”. They all nodded and raised their eyebrows and marked something on their pads. It was one of those little moments in life that you never forget. It told me I was being honest with them and that they they liked what they saw. What it didn’t tell them was that I was an officer. It just told them I could be an officer if I trained. I don’t think I really became a fully effective officer until I’d been in for about 8 years, and I only left specialist training in year 4, so that tied in with what the board President said about “what do you think you’ll be doing for the first eight years?” If the lad answering had time travelling abilities, he would probably say, “well sir, I’ll be actually becoming a useful officer in that time, listening to people who know better than I do and learning how to do my job efficiently and safely”. Don’t think that’s quite what they’d expect though! Remember, they’re not looking for people who are officers already. They’re trying to find out if you’re the kind of person who can become an officer. You’ve got to approach this thing from the perspective of “I’ve made my choice, I’ve committed, so why wouldn’t you pick me?” You’re saying to them, “it’s people like me that you want”. You’re proving that you can justify their decision to let you train to become an officer. The path is just opening up at that point. The road to making it a reality is much longer.
"“wilful ignorance”. Excellent answer.
Reall good thoughtful answer based on experience - I enjoyed reading that and thank you for posting ! ❤
very insightful post. Enjoy your retirement
Rumour has it that the chap hammering the nail at 24:53 is still at it as he hasn’t realised he should be holding the hammer further down it’s shaft
Yup - though I occasionally take breaks to update social media!
Photoshoot of the decade😍
I did both the POC and the AIB and confirm this is an accurate reflection of the two. Basically you've either got it or you haven't before you arrive, a three day course won't change you, it just shows the RM whether you have the potential. Go for it lads.
And failed both, spending the rest of your career peeling potatoes behind the lines
Harsh?
Did and passed both too (1985) but loved the POC and hated the AIB with a vengeance. Ended up not taking up my offer as I already had a job and never really regretted it - it was the days of them not telling you how well or badly you’d passed at the AIB and how far up or down the list you were so I’d accepted a job while I was waiting. Such is life 😀
Many thanks for posting this Ben. I remember watching when it first aired. I was in the middle of an application for the met police at the time. On passing the interview board I called home and stole your line about how I would look in blue. Fell on deaf ears and had to explain myself 😐. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this again. Very accurate opinions from the interviewers.
Great to hear that you got through with the MET, and also that you got to use that line! That scene was a retake - I had already made the calls to family and friends when the BBC team found me, so they asked me to do it again. According to the TH-cam statistics, it's the most-replayed part of the whole film!
@@BenBrabyn brilliant. Thanks again Ben and all the best!!
So you joined the most pathetic shower of women and men on this planet the rejects of society in blue or as we used to call them in the army, Filthy Useless Cunts!!!
@@BenBrabyn I hope the standards are still very high now to pass this course. Should be bloody tough in every possible way. Unfortunately today's society is becoming absolutely pathetic but i am not bowing down to it.
@@peternagy-im4be Judging by the performance of the Future Commando Force it looks likely that the standards are at least as tough as ever and the ability and determination of the current serving generation of Royal Marines is inspiring! www.forces.net/news/royal-marines/what-royal-marines-future-commando-force
It's so defining to see the standards expected of these young gentleman and the general maturity expected as well as how hard they have to work to push themselves and how they conduct themselves!
There is a hint of “Tim from The Office” from Mr Cunningham.
His mannerisms, the laconic style, the hair, even the accent.
Great bit of Telly!
Takes me right back there... I was at Lympstone 1996-97.
Damn, pull ups on a rectangular beam as opposed to a round bar. And 18 reps at that. Respect
Well done sir 🫡 an inspiration 🫵 and thanks for uploading
A privilege to watch, thank you...
I remember these guys, I was doing a parallel RN AIB at the same time... good memories
What's a parallel R N AIB ?
@@h7283 Royal Navy Admiralty Interview Board
Lt David kassapian was the col on royal marines commando school
He reached brigadier
What fascinating interviews. These guys have to be educated and alert. And very mature also.
They introduced the USMC tests because they lost so many in the early weeks of training due to lack of physical ability. We never did it - fitness training started as we joined (1976). But we lost a lot in the first few weeks. I'm glad I didn't have to do it - I don't know, thinking back, how many of us would have passed it!
David Kassipan was the same gentleman who passed out the RM Commandos in the recent 2014 series
As a 16 year old I could do pull ups all day. Once on them beams with a wide open palm, pull ups was hard.
Thats brilliant.
The us marines fitness standard is the same as RM beginning standard.
To be fair, the USMC and RM are similar in the fact that they both bear the name Marine in their titles, but from there the similarities are almost non existent.
Not really. This is about the same standard as that of Officer Candidate School- MCB Quantico. It's not enough to get a 1st Class PFT score, you need to be in the 90th percentile to train. Which equals....the standards you're seeing in this video.
@@chriserickson7096 Mate, I’ve been to Quantico and Kings Bay, and cross trained with the USMC on numerous occasions. Solid lads and extremely professional. But if you’re trying to suggest there is a similarity in the training standards between RM and USMC, you are obviously neither. I know a few USMC JNCOs and Officers have passed the 8 week All Arms Commando course, but the number is very low to the ratio of attempts, and the all arms course is not even comparable to RM training let alone Royal Marine officer training.
Great documentary. You came across really well, I’d say quite far above the other candidates. I could never do it.
A fascinating watch even as a former Bootneck. Well done and I wish you continued success.
Thank you so much for uploading this; and from one of the candidates too!! I taped this when I was in sixth form in 1994 because I wanted to join the Royal Marines as an officer and watched it many, many times. Ultimately, the documentary put me off applying as the process was more difficult than I'd thought and I eventually went into the army instead.
Some observations 26 years on:
The marine and naval officers on the programme all appeared to be public school educated [probably Russell Group too] and were very stiff upper lip e.g. the type of people who order "spotted dick" at the canteen and don't laugh. Army officers in the early 2000s were certainly a more diverse bunch. I would say there are pros and cons for this type of change. The officers on this programme certainly appeared to be very intelligent and competent.
As a 16/17 year old, I thought Nick was the "cool dude" as he seemed to breeze through this tough process without trying too hard. Looking at this now, Nick as a young guy was very immature and some of his answers in the AIB interview were a complete "no no" lol. He made it too though and I'm sure he's doing well today.
All the best,
Matt
Hi Matt - I'm glad you enjoyed it, but sorry it put you off joining the Corps. I think we were all a bit stiffer upper lipped because we were being filmed - as if the pressure of what we were doing wasn't enough, without millions of people getting to watch! We were a bit more relaxed off camera.
At the time the media response was harsh for Tom White - he was written up as "public school boy Tom" - when in fact as far as I'm aware he was the only one of us candidates who hadn't been to a private school. I'm not sure about the serving officers who did the interviewing.
Nick was (and is) a good guy, and was the popular favourite when the film was first broadcast. The most common reaction I had was "you are that guy from the TV aren't you? My mum really liked you!".
Are you still in the Army, or have you returned to civilian life?
@@BenBrabyn Hi Ben, I was in the Light Infantry and left in 2004.
Apologies, regarding the stiff upper lip comment, I was referring to the recruiting staff at Lympstone and AIB not the candidates. I think they just reflected the military culture of the time. This seemed to change quite considerably during the Blair years from what I observed [in the army anyway]. Well done for getting through that process, I was very envious as a teenager. As an outsider looking in, we forget you had a TV crew filming in the corner throughout as well. I bet the 15 months of officer training made POC look like a weekend away!
@@mcorco516 ..change how preytell..
@@reasonabledoubt6908 It's PRAY TELL son
4:15 its david kassapian as a LT ahah hes now the head of commando training at lympstone aha
Owen, he's aged a tad! Lol.
Oh shit
Haha woahhhh that's crazy to see him so young looking.
Lt Kassapian made it to Brig-Gen.
Brigadier is a field officer rank.
Not a general rank.
Since 1921 it is just brigadier.
34:00 , he was spot on given the situation of Brexit and the current Euro status.
Oh the irony.
No he wasn't twat!
Christ done this (rank non officer) in 98 (and past) joined 748. Now I'm old I'd love to be back there. PRMC was brilliant.
Haha me as well 748
I did POC when I was 17. They don't care about your fitness. They care about your attitude
@James Prediston Im sure JCOs do, not officers, JCO is like the NCO of the enlisted.
24:35 watching that young man use the hammer in that way is almost painful. You'd think he'd never picked one up before! 37:38 maybe if he actually sat up straight, he would have earned a few more points. A momma's boy who has been pampered a bit too much.
This has haunted me ever since. The wood was very dry and springy and the nails kept bouncing out. We didn't have much time so they just filmed me slapping the nails carefully so they didn't fall.
I disagree. Hammering the nail, painful, yes, but the remainder of his conduct was exemplary. Polite, humble, intelligent and physically fit, far more than I was at that age and even now. I’d much rather follow that than a big headed, egotistic dictator.
@@BenBrabyn Fair play Ben I must admit I did find it amusing. Aged 70 now I was never brave enough to join up but I am pleased to say our youngest grandson is currently doing his basic training and wants to join the REME. Pleased to say he recently passed his attitude test when a Corporal called him a C**T because his boot lace came undone and unlike his grandad he never reacted but instead did the lace up. Can I ask did your time in the army help in your life after it as I would love to think our grandson will also benefit from his service as well.
@@2wheelsrbest327 best of luck to your grandson! Joining the REME is likely to bring all sorts of benefits. Many of the most successful veterans I've met have picked up technical skills during their service that are highly valued in civilian life. I have found that people still pay a lot of attention to my military background despite the fact I've been out more than 20 years and have done several other things since. So it helps both because of the skills I picked up while serving and also because people find it interesting and a handy shorthand for what I offer - though sometimes that means they expect me to be more conventional than I am!
@@BenBrabyn Thanks for your kind words to my grandson Ben
. Before I end our conversation I just want to add you are clearly as nice a man as I saw on the screen. Best wishes Ted
Anyone know why they did a USMC test?
I was commissioned in 1994. Served for 12 years.
Seems to be a measurement of character. As school sport competitive sport and extra-curricular activities decline it would be interesting to know if the same standards apply? Good to see David Kassabian has had a stellar career.
If you do a sport on your teen years. Man it will never go wrong.
Very interesting that they used the USMC fitness test mentioned at 4:09 , is it still used today?
I remember this, thanks for the upload 👍
18 pull ups for entry level selection is fucking Olympian.
No need to use expletives here
'5 for fitness, 4 for Presentation but only a 2 on the assault course' 'Is he posh?' 'yes, posh as f*ck - I was at the other place with his uncle' 'Damn good Lacrosse player' 'Pass'
Spiffing
2023, that guy is still hammering that nail in. Hope he did join the Royal Engineers. Ged
Famous british sense of humor
Awesome training and interviews, really educational. Fun to see the "tribute" to Freddie Mercury in action there (white sleeveless T-shirt and poses) by one of the instructors!
Jeez, bottom field still sends shivers up my spine!
I am certain you ran past us on your Endurance Course pass out Ben, June 1996 ? We were somewhere nearby the football ground by CTC, we might have been heading into the field, can't remember exactly but the PTI saw you running down in the distance and told us Nods to cheer you on as you went past which we did - I'd seen this documentary back in 1995 and there you were (I think) 'at the speed of a thousand gazelles' ha ha ha - The PTI told us 'that YO was on a documentary last year'
Would it have been you or another YO?
You're right - that must have been me. Nick did it in summer '95, and I was a year later in summer '96. Sorry I didn't wave back! What happened to you after your time at CTC?
That is an extremely rigorous process. Shouldn't expect anything less from one of the most elite fighting units in the world.
It's definitely not a walk in the park, but this is why we in the UK have the best armed forces in the world 👏
780 for the high mark? bloody hell it must impossible to get 800 lol
15:39 thought it was interesting to see that the exit to that tunnel matches exactly to the one they put Gordon Ramsey through later as seen in the vid "Gordon Ramsay Trains With The British Royal Marines | Gordon Ramsay" at about 3:10 in that video.
He's been following me around for years!
"Where is Korea?"
*Confidently points to Northern Vietnam and southern China
Fair point - but the map ass a naval chart with no labels on land a projection I'd never seen before!
You're holding the wrong end of the damn hammer Ben!! :D (Glad that you got through and had some time too, great job!)
You're right! But that was about take 15 - the wood was very dry and springy, and the nail kept bouncing out. Luckily they let me in anyway, though I'm still getting plenty of advice on hammer technique!
22.03 could be a comedy sketch 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 He got lined up a beauty
I remember watching this first time around. Bravo Zulu, Royal.
And you’ve led from the front ever since, I see.
All the best, Ben.
Steve Mac.
Thanks Steve!
At 29min 28 'Where is Korea?' points to wrong side of the map (SE Asia on the right, Korea on the left side of the map). Whoops.
Very interesting. Not sure if it’s still like this but it changed my perception of military officer training.
What made your perception change George?
@@BenBrabyn a refined process of highlighting and drawing out the ability and developing professionalism and character in recruits. There is a lot about the military that I don’t grasp, understand or like but I appreciate the focus on development. If a similar process was available for different careers I think that would be a good thing. It seems the world is valuing the opposite these days.
@@georgemulford2910 it is certainly impressive how much attention the military pay to both selection and training, and few private sector organisations seem able to match this.
@@BenBrabyn yes, I suppose the private sector needs less rigidity and benefits from a more fluid organisational structure, I’m not sure? Do you appreciate the time you spent in the army?
@@georgemulford2910 I'm not sure about that - adaptability is one of the central principles of the military. It's very good at preparing people to deal with uncertainty and change. I certainly appreciate the time I spent in the Royal Marines and have found what I learned there - and the people I met - valuable for life.
Did the big guy at 15 37 get stuck in that tunnel ?,He said not a word , what a good fellow!!!!
That's a very young Colonel Kassapian!
Brigadier now?
9:34 if I’m not wrong, he is the current or ex CO of lympstone
CO from 2012 to 2014
Enjoyed my POC in 1991. Follow the 6 week training plan and you’d be fine, don’t turn up if you couldn’t do it. The double fire carry was a shock, ‘now turn around and do it again’.
One tip, don’t drop the log on your hand…….and harden your spin ready for pushing along on it in the tunnels once your knees are fubar!
These videos which I much enjoy, do make me regret that even though I enjoyed the ACF and subsequently the TA serving in 2 units, yet I did not try for a military career, notwithstanding I enjoyed a long and successful legal career until I retired at 56 two decades ago.
Be interesting to know what happened to them, and where they are today.
25:26 that's a Petty Officer amoung the officer candidates.
Many thanks for uploading this gem.
Is there any follow-up or update on these chaps?
Nick and I joined the RM and each served for 5 years. Nick is now in business - you can see more at www.linkedin.com/in/nick-cunningham-c2w/, and so am I - www.linkedin.com/in/benbrabyn/. Tom successfully passed the Commando Course some years later as an officer in the Royal Engineers reserves, and Rowan, I think, is living in Glasgow, but it's been a while since we caught up.
@@BenBrabyn thankyou Ben. Jolly good effort and thank you for your service.
Maj. 16AD ADF
@@lonewolf6364 that's very kind of you! And thank you for yours!
@@BenBrabyn have read your linkedin profile Capt. One outstanding individual. Whilst your post service life and skills have no doubt shone your excellene in far greater pathways, hopefully the time in RC helped build that excellence.
Well done, and to date, I belive you are still the highest scoring applicant to the AIB! I fell short of you by 30 points 😉
@@lonewolf6364 Thank you! I think many of us benefit from some time in service!
Does anyone know if these standards remain to the same level to this day?
Yep, pretty much exactly.
How did your career pan out for you?
Have you any idea if Rowan Newton managed to pass AIB?
Rowan passed the POC at his second attempt, but sadly not the AIB.
Shame to hear it. Anyway, great programme about the POC, you've definitely inspired me even more to go for the Officer role considering you went to Edinburgh Uni - hopefully I'll be studying Economics there when I get my results. The city and its hills must be a great place to train.
@@georgegreenwood4020 good luck with your results and with applying to the Royal Marines!
Rohan Newron.
Not Rowan.
I wondered if maybe he had tried to go down the Army route instead but a checked of LinkedIn etc would suggest not.
Gosh, how old does he look now compared to his appearance here.
Er unlike me, of course. Haven't changed a bit......
Rohan Newton.
My blasted sausage fingers
So, how did you look in green?
Well ironed!
The big guy reapplied and trained at Lympstone,for some reason I hope he passed and had a good career
Rowan reapplied and passed the POC, but not the AIB. He has had a very successful career in sales.
I wish I could serve. I hate having a disability 😥
Your disability does not stop you doing things for defence. 99% of defence is support. Only 1% is operational. Do what you want to add to that 99%. Become an inventory manager. Work for the MoD as a contractor. Do something that makes you proud. Best wishes.
And if at after a couple of weeks you change your mind you can go into the theatre and still walk around with lots of shiny medals.
21:52 my favourite bit
24.30 talk about making a meal out of it...fuck sake hold that hammer at the other end.
What does a man who did this in his early years do after he leaves service ?
Various! www.linkedin.com/in/benbrabyn
Make a bundle in private military in Middle East. Then move into a business career.
So many interviews!
So how did your career pan out Ben?
I stayed in the Royal Marines for 5 years, leaving in 2000. I'm still in touch with many friends still serving, and many who have left. A great start to a career and highly recommended!
@@BenBrabyn Great stuff , I did All Arms Commando (29 RA) back in the 80's but decided that trips to Norway were not for me. Went on to the Airborne instead. Both great esprit de corps (Marines more thoughtful Airborne more aggressive) You do make great friends for life that' for sure.
@Harry Smith I left Level39 in March and I'm figuring out what comes next. I'm spending plenty of time on genieshares.com which coincidentally involves several former Royal Marines.
That must have been a laugh listening to their responses after becoming an officer Ben - Hope your well - Will take notes from this video when i eventually get round to try the officer training myself
Thanks - and good luck!
How many times do you fools say “ in the World” ?
24:40 I'm sorry, but what the fuck is he doing with that hammer? Just. Fucking. HIT IT!!!
edit - or is he trolling the camera?
It's a long story. Several retakes, dry springy wood, blah blah. I've been practicing since and now I'm really good with a hammer etc...
I wouldn't want him as an officer in change of men.
Why USMC fitness test?
The Royal Marines used to use this standardised test as the first check on the fitness of a potential recruit or officer. I believe it has now been replaced by an adapted version called the Royal Marines Fitness Assessment.
@@BenBrabyn is it softer or harder tho, as the nun said to the vicar..
The new PJFT for Officers is a 4 round circuit consisting of 20 burpees, 30 sit ups, 20 push ups and a 1 minute plank, all timed to the beep.
Ben how long did you serve?
I was in for 5 years.
@@BenBrabyn I remember when they first aired that documentary and the fact that you got the highest score for the AIB👍
Lol watching those sit up techniques gives me palpitations 😂
it is the hardest training in the uk forces . it has to be , because the men can respect the officers .
Never realised Freddy Mercury was a drill instructor in his spare time!
Hates jogging but loves to ride his bicycle
Please why the US marine Corps Test in the Royal Navy?
The Royal Marines wanted to have a basic level of cardio and muscular fitness for their recruits, on which they could build and develop during training.
It was seen that the fitness test then in use by the US Marine Corps provided confirmation of a good, broad level of fitness.
It wasn't deliberately chosen because it was used by the U.S. Marines.
And nor was it intended to be a bit of a criticism of the Americans that our recruits should be as fit bad their trained marines.
100% real beast mode. Unreal
Simillar to the german one, the interview part, but here we have all officiers going through one assesment center, the physical is just a small aspect (3km cycling or so 5 seconds holding a pull up and a sprint/ I did not need to do them because of corona but its super easy). But before the interview we had 2 group situations and one presentation for about one hour and a half. Then the interview, were PC tests and medical got measured and then the group situation and the the interview. I had 2 people in the interview one was bad cop the other good. For us it is one officier and one phsycologist, asking back ground questions, personal informations and about the motivation.
That must be why you keep losing wars, lack of leadership. 🤷🏻♂️
@@JammyDodger45 I would argue it is more lack of natural resources, combined with the pre WW lack of diplomatic education of the officer corps. The tactics used and the local leadership is very efficient and works even better now with smaller units operating in the same area.
Great! Thanks :)
I'm surprised, as an American watching this, that the narrator is using imperial instead of British measurements.
Imperial measures were introduced in the British Empire in 1824. More recently the UK has adopted more of the metric system, but distances and speeds are still usually given in miles and mph.
Which empire did you think 'imperial' relates to?
There you are Ben mate.
7:20. I bet if that was someone’s ballsac he would have banged the press-up out in no time
I think the elite physical standards by the best today will be better than then. We have more gyms and supplements now than ever. I am 44 now and probably in better physcial shape than many of those- muscle and endurance.
24:35 some of the worst hammering of a nail ever caught on film.
This was really good 👍
Breaking the ice on Woodbury Common nothing beats it later in life
30 years later….2023
The best of the best require the best of the best.