news | April 13, 2026

What is the best age to join the Royal Marines?

Under 33 years old when you begin basic training.

How do you become a Royal Marine?

To start Royal Marines officer training, you’ll need:

  1. to be between 17 and 25 years old.
  2. to be at least 151.5cm tall.
  3. to be a British or dual nationality British citizen.
  4. to be in good health and physically fit.
  5. a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C), including English and maths.
  6. a minimum of two A levels.

How hard is it to become a Royal Marine?

The joining process for Royal Marines Commandos is necessarily rigorous. Like any physical and mental test, being prepared will give you the best chance of success.

How long does it take to become a Royal Marine?

32 weeks
Training to be a Royal Marine takes 32 weeks. The last week is spent mainly on administration and preparing for the pass out parade. Recruits in their final week of training are known as the King’s Squad and have their own section of the recruits’ galley at Lympstone.

How much sleep do Royal Marines get?

around 4-6 hours
The average Royal Marine recruit can expect to receive around 4-6 hours of sleep per night; there’s a reason that they’re known as ‘nods’ – due to a combination of huge physical exertion and sleep deprivation, recruits will frequently ‘nod off’.

How much does a Royal Marine earn?

The starting salary for a Royal Marine is £14,700 during basic training. After completing 32 weeks training, this rises to £20,000. Salaries increase as you could up the ranks. Potential earnings can reach £48,000 as Warrant Officer 1.

Can I join the Royal Marines at 16?

You’ll need to be aged between 16 and 32 and pass the Royal Navy recruitment process. Jobs in the Royal Marines are open to men and women. You may also be eligible to join the Royal Marines Band Service and are also accepted onto the All Arms Commando Course which is part of the initial training course.

How fit do I need to be to join the Royal Marines?

Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) For the Royal Marines PJFT, you’ll need to complete two 2.4km runs on a treadmill that is set to a 2% incline. To pass you will need to do the first run in less than 12 minutes and 30 seconds.

How much weight do Royal Marines carry on the 30 miler?

32lbs
How much weight will I need to carry? Participants will carry a bergen weighing 32lbs throughout the 30 mile course, as this is the weight that Royal Marines recruits carry during the real thing.

Is Royal Marine training the hardest in the world?

Originally Answered: How hard is basic training for a British Royal Marine? Well it’s recognised as the longest and hardest in NATO. Unofficially it’s probably the toughest in the world given that NATO includes some of the (arguably) best trained militaries in the world.

What do Marines wear to sleep?

Recruits sleep in their skivvy drawers and t-shirts in mc boot camp. I have maintained that habit for the past 60 years as have most marines. Their easy enough to discard or Don as any amorous situation may arise. In case of emergency you don’t have the risk of turning out naked.

What is a Marines salary?

As of 2020, the basic Marine active-duty pay for Private First Class (E-2) Marines is $1,942.50 per month or $23,310 per year. The basic Marine active-duty pay for a Private First Class (E-2) ranking does not vary based on your number of years of service.

Why do Marines yell so much?

Marines call it the “Omnidirectional Ass Chewing”. A recruit makes some infraction, no matter how small, and multiple Drill Instructors, anyone within distance will join in screaming at you in unison as you attempt to make sense of the chaos enveloping you.

How much do Marines get paid UK?

Can Royal Marines join the SAS?

Can a Royal Marine join the SAS? – Quora. Yes, they can! Though this is typically not the case. The SAS and SBS both belong to the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF).

How many sit ups for Royal Marines?

You will be required to perform 80 continuous sit-ups within 2 minutes, again using the correct technique. The correct technique involves your feet being held down by another candidate. Your fingers must stay in contact with the sides of your head and your elbows must make contact with the mat on the downward motion.

How much weight do Royal Marines carry?

How much weight will I need to carry? Participants will carry a bergen weighing 32lbs throughout the 30 mile course, as this is the weight that Royal Marines recruits carry during the real thing.

How much weight do the Royal Marines carry?

Are Royal Marines trained to kill?

Royal Marines as well as US Marines are trained to win the battle. It is an attitude that is impregnated into their mind from the first day of boot camp. They’re not. They’re trained to obey the Laws of Armed Conflict just like everyone else in the British armed forces.