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The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) lasts for 13 weeks and is run by the Royal Marines at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. Members from any of the United Kingdom's Regular Armed Forces (e.g. personnel from units attached to the Marines) and overseas exchange personnel can attend to serve with UK Commando Force (UKCF). On completion of the course the successful candidate earns the right to wear the green beret, and to wear the "Commando Dagger" on their uniform. The Royal Marines expect that nearly half of the volunteers will drop out or be dismissed before completing the AACC.[1][2][3] The primary aim of the course is to give service personnel the core military skills necessary for Extremely and Very High readiness Commando and Littoral Strike operations.

The course is open to both men and women. In 2002 Major Philippa Tattersall of the Adjutant General's Corps became the first woman to have successfully completed it.[4]

Background

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The first formal commando training course was established at Achnacarry in 1942 and some elements remain exactly the same to this day, such as the "rope regain" and the "Tarzan course", designed to test the courage, agility and determination of candidates. Others have changed in times and distances, such as speed-marching and the endurance course. The specific tests which volunteers are put through are not as important as the fact that their fortitude should be tested to the limit. The basis of the commando ethos can be summed as unity (unselfishness), adaptability, humility (as in non-arrogance), high professional standards, fortitude and humour (cheerfulness in the face of adversity).[5][6][7]

Since the Second World War, all the Army Commando units have been disbanded leaving the Royal Marines Commandos to carry on the tradition. Nevertheless, these commando units are supported by a variety of non Royal Marines personnel. In the year 2000, over 1,000 British Army soldiers wore the green beret and supported 3 Commando Brigade. About 30 per cent of UK Commando Force, performing vital support roles, were not Royal Marines in 2004, such as 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers.[8][9][10]

Course aims

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To prepare Navy, Army or Air Force personnel for service with 3 Cdo Bde RM (now UK Commando Force) by developing the temperament, mental resolve, physical robustness and core military skills necessary in the demanding environment of expeditionary and littoral operations

— All Arms Commando[1]

Course content

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Volunteers attend a 4-week preparation course, prior to the AACC, which brings them from a broad range of backgrounds up to a common standard of basic skills and fitness needed to start the AACC. The AACC is for trained military ranks only and is not open to new recruits outside the Royal Marines (all Royal Marines, with the exception of members of the Royal Marines Band Service, are trained as commandos). Core military skills are covered during the AACC, including fieldcraft, tactics, patrolling, defence and section and troop level attacks, troop weapons, signals, map reading, navigation, first aid, health, hygiene and physical training. The course then covers the following Commando skills: amphibious assault drills, cliff assault drills, helicopter drills and small-unit tactics. The course concludes with a week-long confirmatory test exercise followed by "Test Week".[1][2] There is no specific age limit for the AACC itself, as it's intended for serving individuals. However, there are age restrictions for the Royal Marines, as they have a recruitment age limit of 16-32.[citation needed]

Tests

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During the course

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The following tests must be passed by the volunteers:[1][2][11][12]

Rope climbing

Wearing boots, trousers and smock, carrying fighting order and personal weapon:

  • 30 ft (9.1 m) rope climb
  • Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes
  • Fireman's carry, over 200m carrying own and colleague's equipment and weapon (combined weight of 62 lb (28 kg)), in 90 seconds
  • Full regain, over a tank filled with water as protection from falling. Candidates do a Tyrolean traverse using no technical climbing equipment, only using skill and strength to cross along the rope strung between two towers. The technique is to balance the torso on the top of the rope whilst pushing across using an ankle from one leg hooked over the rope and using the other leg as balance. During the traverse candidates are required to halt the traverse and to hang by hands from the rope. Candidates then have to "regain" the traverse position on top of the rope; this move requires both technique and strength.
  • 12-mile (19 km) load carry – at night, as a formed body carrying 69 lb (31 kg) marching order and personal weapon within 4 hours. A formed body is a group route-marching in rough rank and file with no specific pace or step length.

Commando tests

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Completed on consecutive days during the final test week:[1][13]

Endurance course. This is an individual test comprising a challenging 6-mile (9.65 km) course whilst carrying 21 lb (9.5 kilograms (kg)) fighting order and personal weapon. The first two miles consist of undulating woodland terrain featuring obstacles such as tunnels, pipes, wading pools and an underwater culvert. The latter four miles (6.43 km) remain an obstacle-free metalled road return run back to CTCRM. Candidates are to complete this in 73 minutes. This is followed by a marksmanship test where the candidate must hit 6 out of 10 shots at a target simulating a man at a range of 200 metres.

9-mile speed march. This is a 9-mile (14 km) speed march, as a formed body, which is to be completed in 90 minutes (at an average pace of 6 miles per hour (mph)) whilst carrying fighting order and personal weapon.

Tarzan assault course. Starting at 1-minute intervals on the Cdo slide (a zip line), this is an individual test that commences with a number of "high aerial apparatuses" followed immediately by the "bottom field assault course", and then finishing with a rope climb up a 30-foot (ft) near-vertical wall. It must be completed whilst carrying fighting order and personal weapon in 13 minutes.

30-miler. This is a tactical navigation endurance march to be completed as a syndicate whilst carrying personal load carry equipment, weapon, spare clothing and rations. Candidates must achieve this in 8 hours.

Retests. If a candidate fails a commando test, then they will get an opportunity to retake it again in the four-day window that follows the 30-miler. If a candidate fails two or more of the tests, it is unlikely that a chance to re-attempt them will be offered.

Reserve Forces Commando Course

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There is also a Reserve forces commando course run for members of the Royal Marines Reserve and Commando units of the Army Reserve. The tests are the same as for the AACC above.[11][14]

It differs from the AACC in the format of the build up training, Reserve volunteers must train themselves to pass the physically arduous tests in their own time and be available at weekends to develop their infantry skills. This typically requires a commitment of one weekend a month for a period of 9 to 18 months, depending on which sub-unit the volunteer is part of.

The Army Reserve was previously known as the Territorial Army (TA).[15]

References

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All Arms Commando Course

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The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is a demanding 13-week training regimen conducted by the Royal Marines, designed to qualify serving personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force for integration into Commando units, such as 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, by instilling the core Commando ethos of courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in adversity. The course takes place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, and is preceded by a mandatory four-week preparatory phase at RM Chivenor or Okehampton Battle Camp, focusing on foundational skills like weapon handling, field exercises, and battle physical training to ensure candidates meet entry standards. Eligibility for the AACC requires participants to be medically deployable, pass pre-course physical assessments (including a 1.5-mile run in under 11 minutes 30 seconds, rope climbs, and an ), and hold valid qualifications in individual training requirements, basic , , annual combat marksmanship tests, and 5.56mm A2 weapon handling. The main curriculum covers essential military disciplines, including and tactics, signals, advanced , map reading and , skill at arms, conditioning, amphibious operations, and vertical techniques, all tailored to prepare tri-service ranks for high-readiness expeditionary roles in environments ranging from to jungle conditions. A defining feature of the AACC is its culmination in four rigorous Commando Tests, which serve as the final validation of a candidate's physical robustness and mental resolve: the Endurance Course (a 6-mile obstacle run completed in 73 minutes), the Tarzan Assault Course (a 13-minute aerial and ground assault with 9.6 kg load), the 9-Mile Speed March (90 minutes with 9.6 kg), and the 30-Mile March (8 hours across rugged terrain with 9.6 kg). Successful graduates earn the prestigious , the right to wear the Commando flash on their uniform, and the Fairbairn-Sykes (Commando dagger), marking their status as qualified Commandos eligible for attachment to elite units like UK or . The program runs three to four times annually and has trained thousands of non-Royal Marine personnel since its establishment to foster interoperability across the UK's joint forces.

History and Background

Origins in World War II

The All Arms Commando Course traces its origins to the establishment of specialized training during , specifically designed to qualify personnel from various branches of the British military, including the and later the Royal Marines, for raiding and assault roles. In 1942, the Commando Basic Training Centre was founded at Achnacarry Castle in the , serving as the central hub for integrating soldiers from different services into cohesive units under the British Commandos framework. This initiative addressed the need for a unified force capable of amphibious operations, drawing volunteers primarily from regiments to undergo rigorous selection and training that emphasized physical endurance, tactical proficiency, and inter-service cooperation. The primary aim of this early training was to test and build the fortitude of recruits through demanding assault exercises, fostering self-discipline and the ability to execute high-risk missions. Courses incorporated specialized physical challenges, such as the "Tarzan course"—an aerial obstacle assault involving swinging on ropes between trees and cliffs to simulate or rugged navigation—and other rope-based drills that honed , strength, and teamwork under stress. These elements were part of a broader influenced by the Combined Operations Directorate, which centralized training previously scattered across sites like Lochailort, to prepare commandos for rapid, aggressive strikes against Axis targets. By early 1942, the first centralized courses commenced, with intakes focusing on , close-quarters combat, and amphibious landing techniques essential for the evolving demands of the war. Key historical applications included the training of No. 4 Commando and various independent companies, which underwent Achnacarry's regimen to ready them for pivotal operations. Under Combined Operations, these units were primed for amphibious raids, most notably the Dieppe Raid in August 1942, where No. 4 Commando assaulted the port's eastern battery, destroying gun positions despite heavy casualties that underscored the raid's role in refining future invasion tactics. This wartime training at Achnacarry not only integrated diverse personnel but also established the foundational principles of commando qualification that would influence subsequent military specializations.

Post-War Development and Role in UK Commando Forces

Following the end of in 1946, the British Army's Commando units were largely disbanded, with the primary responsibility for maintaining capabilities transferred to the . The School, previously located at Towyn in , relocated to Bickleigh near Plymouth in 1947 and then to Lympstone in in 1954, where it formed the basis of the Infantry Training Centre (ITCRM). During the late 1940s and 1950s, not all underwent full training, but standardization efforts intensified, culminating in 1959 when all personnel in the Corps were required to complete the course. The All Arms Commando Course (AACC), specifically tailored for non-Royal Marines from other services, emerged in the early to broaden the pool of qualified personnel for integrated operations. The inaugural group from the newly formed 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery passed the course in 1962, marking the start of tri-service participation and earning the distinctive . Throughout the and 1980s, the AACC expanded to align with the UK's obligations, placing greater emphasis on skills essential for amphibious assaults and rapid deployment in coastal environments. This period saw the addition of specialized units, such as the 24 Commando Engineer Regiment and Commando Logistic Squadron, enhancing the brigade's versatility for multinational exercises and deployments. The AACC is administered by the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, renamed from the ITCRM in 1972 to reflect the universal training mandate for . Through this program, the CTCRM integrates , , and personnel into 3 Commando Brigade, fostering a cohesive tri-service structure that includes attached elements like the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery for and aviation units for logistical reinforcement. This institutional framework ensures the UK Commando Force maintains high readiness for joint and combined operations, with non- forming a key component of its operational strength.

Entry Requirements and Preparation

Eligibility Criteria

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is open to serving personnel from the Royal Navy, , and , encompassing all ranks who seek to qualify for roles within Commando Forces, including the Commando Helicopter Force and the Littoral Strike Group. Candidates must be recommended by their unit , who provides a fitness certificate confirming suitability at least eight weeks prior to course commencement. No prior commando experience is required, though applicants must demonstrate basic infantry skills through in-date Individual Training Requirements (ITRs), such as , map reading, military navigation, Annual Combat Marksmanship Test (ACMT), and weapon handling with the 5.56mm A2 rifle. Eligibility aligns with Royal Marines recruitment standards, requiring candidates to be medically fully deployable to Profile 2 (P2) standards, and compliant with weight and body mass index (BMI) guidelines set by the Institute of Naval Medicine. Applicants must possess a valid appropriate for operational roles. Physical and mental resilience are assessed via the Potential Physical Assessment (PCPA), which includes a 1.5-mile run in under 11 minutes 30 seconds, two 30-foot rope climbs, completion of the Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes, a 200-meter in under 90 seconds, and a map reading test at MATT 5/ITR level; additionally, candidates must swim 40 meters in clothing and tread water for 3 minutes from a 3-meter height. Proficiency in communications equipment, such as the PC 354 and PRC 355 Bowman radios, is also required prior to entry.

Pre-Course Training and Selection

The selection process for the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) begins with a comprehensive evaluation to ensure candidates meet the physical, medical, and motivational standards required for the demanding training ahead. Candidates must first pass the Potential Commando Physical Assessment (PCPA), which includes a 1.5-mile run completed in under 11 minutes and 30 seconds, two 30-foot rope climbs (one with 15 pounds of webbing and one clean), one circuit of the Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes, a 200-meter fireman's carry in under 90 seconds, and a map reading test to the standard of MATT 5/ITR Navigation. Medical screening is mandatory, requiring candidates to be fully deployable under Profile 2 (P2) standards, with body weight and BMI compliant with Institute of Naval Medicine guidelines, and no pre-existing injuries that could hinder performance. Additionally, motivational interviews assess a candidate's commitment and suitability, helping to identify those with the mental resilience needed to succeed. Prior to arriving for selection, candidates from home units are expected to undertake self-directed preparation to build the necessary fitness and skills, typically over several months, focusing on cardiovascular endurance through running, , and basic to meet entry benchmarks and reduce the risk of early attrition. This home-unit phase also includes achieving proficiency in essential military competencies, such as radio communications using PC 354 and PRC 355 Bowman systems, alongside annual certifications in individual training requirements (ITRs), basic , annual combat marksmanship test (ACMT), and weapon handling for the 5.56mm A2 rifle. Candidates must also pass the Royal Marines Basic Swimming Test, consisting of a 40-meter swim in , a 3-meter water entry, and a 3-minute water tread. Following successful selection, candidates attend a 4-week preparatory course at or Battle Camp, delivered by the Logistics Regiment, designed to establish foundational physical conditioning and familiarize participants with key elements of commando training. The course emphasizes battle physical training to enhance stamina and robustness, rifle familiarization and handling drills, and field exercises that promote team cohesion and basic tactical awareness, thereby minimizing dropouts during the subsequent main AACC phases. This preparatory phase ensures that service personnel from diverse tri-service backgrounds arrive at the core 9-week course with standardized skills and elevated fitness levels.

Course Structure and Aims

Duration, Location, and Overview

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is a rigorous 13-week training programme designed to qualify personnel from across the for service within units. Conducted three times per year, it integrates preparatory elements to build foundational fitness and skills, ensuring candidates are ready for the demanding curriculum ahead. The course takes place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, , the primary facility for training and tri-service commando qualification. This coastal location provides diverse terrain for amphibious and field exercises, supporting the programme's focus on operational readiness in varied environments. Typically accommodating 50 to 100 tri-service candidates per intake from the Royal Navy, , and , the AACC features a high attrition rate of around 50%, resulting from voluntary withdrawals, injuries, or failure to meet standards. The structure progresses through phases emphasizing individual skills such as and weapons handling, advancing to unit-level tactics and team-based operations, before culminating in the Commando Tests. Central to the course is the Commando Spirit, which instils values including "cheerfulness in the face of adversity" to foster resilience and morale under stress.

Primary Objectives and Skills Developed

The primary objective of the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is to equip non-Royal Marine personnel from the Royal Navy, , and with the necessary attributes to serve in support roles within the 3 Commando Brigade , emphasizing expeditionary and amphibious operations. The course evaluates participants on the , which includes mindset, values, and spirit, while developing core skills, physical robustness, and mental resilience required for extremely high readiness in commando and littoral strike environments. Key competencies gained encompass individual , such as , survival techniques, , and map reading; small-unit tactics; and specialist drills including amphibious training, vertical assault (encompassing cliff assault and helicopter insertion), signals proficiency with equipment like the Bowman man-pack radios, and skill at arms with troop weapons. The training also builds and resilience, fostering the Commando Spirit characterized by , determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Successful graduates qualify to wear the green commando beret and the Commando Dagger insignia, enabling attachment to commando units and promoting tri-service interoperability within the UK Commando Forces.

Training Content

Physical Conditioning and Fieldcraft

The physical conditioning phase of the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) emphasizes building endurance and robustness through a progressive regime during the initial weeks, typically weeks 1 to 6, to prepare personnel for the demands of Commando operations. Training begins with foundational fitness assessments, such as a 1.5-mile run completed in under 11.5 minutes individually, followed by incremental increases in intensity, including runs up to 9 miles (14.5 km) in 90 minutes carrying 9.6 kg of equipment and a personal weapon. Loaded marches start with lighter loads of approximately 21 lb (9.6 kg) for shorter distances, such as a 4-mile (6.4 km) speed march in 40 minutes, progressing to heavier configurations like 70 lb (31.8 kg) for 12-mile (19.3 km) night carries over 4 hours 40 minutes. Obstacle courses form a core component, with candidates tackling the Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes while encumbered by 9.6 kg plus weapon, alongside the Tarzan Assault Course completed in 13 minutes under similar loads to develop agility and strength. Fieldcraft training integrates survival and navigation skills essential for independent operations in austere environments, conducted primarily during the infantry skills phase. Navigation exercises occur on challenging terrains like and Woodbury Common, involving solo night sessions where candidates use map reading, route cards, bearings, and pacing while carrying 9.6 kg of equipment and a to simulate real-world disorientation risks. Survival elements focus on self-sufficiency, including wet and dry routines for maintaining dry clothing and building basic shelters during extended field exercises to ensure rest in harsh conditions, alongside and fundamentals. Basic weapons drills introduce handling of the A2 rifle, requiring candidates to achieve a skilled standard in handling tests on day one, followed by integration into physical tasks such as carrying the 9 lb (4.1 kg) rifle during marches and range firing (e.g., 6/10 hits at 25 meters). Injury prevention and recovery are embedded throughout, with candidates required to be medically fully deployable (P2 profile) prior to arrival and supported by integrated medical oversight during training. Pre-course preparation at units like includes conditioning to mitigate stress injuries, such as using broken-in boots and grass-based runs, while the progressive load increases allow gradual adaptation. is cultivated through the Commando Spirit—emphasizing courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness—via simulations of in long-duration field exercises and night navigation, fostering resilience under .

Tactical and Specialist Drills

The tactical and specialist drills phase of the All Arms Commando Course (AACC), typically spanning weeks 7 to 10, emphasizes the application of combat tactics in team-based scenarios, building directly on foundational physical conditioning and to develop commando-specific operational proficiency. This period integrates small-unit tactics, where trainees practice fire-and-movement techniques to simulate offensive and defensive maneuvers, ensuring coordinated suppression and assault under simulated combat conditions. Amphibious landings form a core component, with drills involving entry from raiding craft or helicopters onto varied shorelines, focusing on rapid debarkation, establishment, and transition to inland movement while maintaining tactical awareness. Cliff assaults represent a hallmark of commando during this phase, requiring the use of ropes, etriers (stirrup-like aids), and equipment to scale vertical faces under load, often in low-visibility or adverse weather to replicate real-world insertion challenges. Specialist elements extend to drills, including embarkation and insertion procedures from platforms such as the or Chinook, where trainees learn to execute or hover-exit techniques for rapid deployment into hostile areas. Urban close-quarters battle (CQB) introduces room-clearing and building-assault protocols, emphasizing controlled aggression, weapon handling in confined spaces, and non-lethal threat neutralization. Live-firing exercises integrate these tactics, allowing trainees to conduct dynamic shoots with the A2 rifle and support weapons during section attacks, reinforcing accuracy and in motion. Incorporation of signals training equips participants with proficiency in radio procedures using equipment like the PRC 354 and PRC 355, enabling effective communication for coordinating movements and calling in support. Logistics elements are woven in, teaching basic resupply and within tactical contexts to sustain operations. Scenario-based training culminates the phase, involving multi-day simulated operations across diverse terrains such as or coastal zones, where teams apply integrated skills in patrolling, ambushes, and extractions, adapting to evolving threats while prioritizing the Commando Ethos of courage and determination. These drills foster among tri-service personnel, preparing them for roles in UK Commando Force units by emphasizing collective problem-solving over individual performance.

Assessment and Tests

In-Course Evaluations

The All Arms Commando Course incorporates ongoing in-course evaluations to monitor participants' physical robustness, military skills, and overall progress throughout its duration, ensuring consistent development and early identification of areas requiring improvement. These assessments are conducted periodically, often weekly or at key milestones, and emphasize sustained performance rather than isolated achievements. Physical evaluations form a core component, testing endurance and strength under load. Weekly checks typically include a 30-foot (9.1 m) rope climb, performed twice—once with 15 pounds (6.8 kg) in webbing and once in clean fatigue—to verify upper-body capability and technique. Additionally, the fireman's carry requires covering 200 meters while transporting a partner along with equipment and weapons for both (total load typically exceeding 200 pounds or 90 kg) within 90 seconds, simulating casualty evacuation under duress. A loaded yomp, such as a 12-mile (19 km) night march carrying approximately 69 pounds (31 kg) of marching order plus personal weapon, must be completed in 4 hours as a formed body, reinforcing stamina and team discipline. Skill-based evaluations assess tactical proficiency and operational readiness. Navigation tests involve solo or group exercises in varied terrain, often at night with full equipment, to evaluate map reading, compass use, and route planning accuracy. Weapon proficiency is gauged through handling tests and live-fire shoots, requiring participants to demonstrate skilled operation of personal weapons like the SA80 rifle to established standards. Assault course timings, such as completing the Bottom Field circuit—including obstacles, crawls, and regains—under 5 minutes while carrying 21 pounds (9.5 kg) plus rifle, measure agility and obstacle negotiation. Failure in these evaluations triggers remedial training to address deficiencies, with persistent underperformance leading to withdrawal from the course and return to unit (RTU). This approach prioritizes holistic resilience, as isolated failures are viewed as opportunities for correction rather than immediate elimination.

Final Commando Test Week

The Final Commando Test Week, occurring in week 13 of the All Arms Course, serves as the decisive phase where candidates must pass four traditional tests to qualify as commandos, assessing their physical , mental resilience, and ability to operate under stress. These tests are conducted over five days at the Commando Training Centre (CTCRM) in Lympstone and across , typically in harsh winter conditions that amplify the challenges of cold, wind, and terrain. All tests require candidates to carry a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bergen of equipment plus a personal weapon, totaling approximately 30 lb (13.6 kg) of load, emphasizing the Commando Spirit of courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness. The week begins with the Endurance Course on Saturday, a 9.65 km (6-mile) individual assault over obstacles, tunnels, and rough terrain, including a water-filled and steep climbs, which must be completed in 73 minutes, followed by a assessment requiring at least 6 out of 10 hits on target. This is followed on Monday by the 9-Mile Speed March, a 14 km (9-mile) timed march as a formed body, completed in 90 minutes, testing unit cohesion and pace under load. Tuesday features the Aerial Assault Course, a high-obstacle test with 13 elements such as climbs, swings, and a death slide, to be finished in 13 minutes, building on earlier drills to demand full agility and fear management. The week culminates midweek with the 30-Miler, a 48 km (30-mile) across Dartmoor's rugged moorland from to Woodbury Common, navigated using map and compass, and completed within 8 hours while carrying additional safety stores, often increasing the load to around 40 lb (18 kg). These tests hold significant historical roots, with the originating in World War II-era training to simulate jungle and urban assault scenarios, as depicted in contemporary training films. The overall pass rate for Test Week is a key determinant of course success, as failure in any test requires reattempts or withdrawal, while successful completion awards the coveted , symbolizing qualification as a . Preparation draws from in-course evaluations, ensuring candidates are primed for this final trial.

Reserve Forces Commando Course

Adaptation for Reservists

The Adaptation for Reservists in the All Arms Commando Course is primarily delivered through the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC), which is specifically designed for personnel from the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) and selected Army Reserve units serving in roles. The RFCC ensures that reservists receive the same core training content and must pass identical assessments, including the four Commando Tests, as their regular counterparts to earn the and qualify for service with 3 Commando Brigade. Unlike the continuous 13-week format of the regular AACC, the RFCC employs a modular delivery structure to accommodate part-time commitments, consisting of weekly evening sessions, monthly weekends, and an annual two-week concentrated training period at the Commando Training Centre (CTCRM) in Lympstone. This approach allows reservists to build foundational skills progressively over 12-15 months before culminating in the intensive two-week RFCC phase, where they complete final exercises and tests. Reservists integrate with regular forces during the RFCC and other joint exercises to foster , training side-by-side to maintain operational cohesion. Following successful completion, these part-time commandos provide augmentation to regular units, supporting amphibious and commando operations as required while balancing civilian careers.

Training Timeline and Self-Preparation

The Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) for reservists from the Reserve (RMR) and other services' commando units, such as the Army Reserve's 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, follows an extended timeline designed to accommodate part-time commitments, typically lasting 9 to 15 months in total. This structure begins after initial Phase 1 basic training and includes progressive preparation over weekends, weekday evenings, and occasional 1- to 2-week blocks, culminating in the intensive 2-week RFCC at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, . The preparation phase emphasizes phased skill development, starting with foundational fitness and built through unit sessions and independent effort over several months, followed by advanced tactical integration leading into the final test period. Reservists must accumulate substantial training time, often equivalent to dozens of days across evenings and weekends, to ensure readiness for the RFCC's demands, including assault courses, , and endurance marches. Self-preparation plays a pivotal role due to the distributed nature of reserve training, requiring candidates to maintain consistent personal workouts in their civilian time to build physical robustness, mental resilience, and skills like speed-marching and handling. Units provide structured fitness programs, while official resources from CTCRM and Navy, such as downloadable fitness plans and the Commando Ready mobile app, offer guided progressions for running, strength, and endurance to align with commando standards. Progress in key areas like loaded marches and is often tracked through personal records to verify competency before the RFCC. This flexible yet rigorous schedule poses significant challenges for reservists, who must integrate demanding preparation with full-time civilian employment or studies, necessitating exceptional self-motivation to sustain momentum over the extended period and overcome the spaced-out format's potential for lapses in consistency.

Modern Developments

Gender Integration and Inclusivity

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) opened to women in 1998 as part of the Ministry of Defence's progressive integration of female personnel into demanding training programs, reflecting broader policy shifts toward in the armed forces. In 2002, Captain Philippa Tattersall of the Adjutant General's Corps became the first woman to successfully complete the course, earning the coveted after enduring its rigorous physical and tactical demands. This milestone occurred prior to the full opening of ground close combat roles to women in 2018, but it highlighted the course's availability to serving female personnel from non-Royal Marines units seeking commando qualification. By 2025, at least seven women had passed the AACC, demonstrating steady progress in female participation amid unchanged gender-neutral standards that apply the same physical benchmarks to all candidates regardless of sex. These standards emphasize without differentiation, though the has implemented adapted medical support to address physiological differences, such as higher risks for women during intense training—female recruits are approximately twice as likely to sustain such injuries as males. This includes enhanced monitoring for overuse injuries and provision of resources for menstrual management in field conditions, ensuring equitable access to the course while mitigating health disparities. Beyond gender, the AACC aligns with the armed forces' wider inclusivity initiatives, which promote ethnic diversity and support to foster a representative force. Efforts include targeted recruitment from underrepresented ethnic minorities and anti-discrimination training to reduce barriers faced by personnel from diverse backgrounds, as evidenced by ongoing strategies to enhance belonging. provisions, such as access to specialized counseling tailored for high-stress environments like training, further support inclusivity by addressing the unique psychological impacts on women and ethnic minorities, including experiences of exclusion that can exacerbate stress. These measures culminate in the 2018 policy fully integrating women into all roles, including those requiring AACC completion, marking a comprehensive commitment to diversity across the services.

Recent Updates and Success Statistics

In 2025, the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) maintained its rigorous standards amid the broader (FCF) reforms, which emphasize enhanced littoral maneuverability and technological integration across operations, without altering the course's core physical and tactical tests. Minor adaptations included increased emphasis on modern equipment familiarization, such as testing new kit during integrated training exercises, to align with FCF's focus on high-readiness commando roles. The confirmed that these updates did not lower entry or completion requirements, preserving the course's demanding nature for tri-service personnel. Success statistics for the AACC reflect its selectivity, with historical pass rates for Army participants improving from approximately 24% in 2018-2019 to over 40% in 2020-2021, attributed to enhanced preparation programs like the Commando Conditioning Course. The course runs three times annually at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, accommodating serving Navy, Army, and RAF personnel, though exact graduate numbers vary; recent cycles have seen completions by diverse groups, including international exchanges. In line with inclusivity efforts, seven women had successfully passed the AACC by 2025, highlighting sustained high standards without compromise.

References

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  16. https://www.commandoveterans.org/TheCommandoTestsCTCRM
  17. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060012825
  18. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/roles/royal-marines-reservist
  19. https://www.rfca-yorkshire.org.uk/reserves/about/royal-marines/
  20. https://britisharmy.wordpress.com/tag/reserve-forces-commando-course/
  21. https://www.wmrfca.org/reserve-forces/royal-marines-reserve/
  22. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/october/24/20251024-royal-marines-reservists-take-on-intensive-training
  23. https://a.storyblok.com/f/88791/x/db50ab53bc/131-cdo-sqn-re-intro-and-questionnaire-v-11-24.pdf
  24. https://britisharmy.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/commando-training-quest-for-the-green-beret-pt1/
  25. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/royal-marines/joining-process/fitness-preparation
  26. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hpo.royalmarines&hl=en_US
  27. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/captain-philippa-claims-historic-green-1977630
  28. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2002/may/31/military
  29. https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2017213.stm
  30. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/historic-day-for-the-military-as-all-roles-are-opened-to-women
  31. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c361lww7y8po
  32. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80af3aed915d74e33fbd2a/20160706_ADR006101_Report_Women_in_Combat_WEB-FINAL.PDF
  33. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876201824000492
  34. https://www.navylookout.com/strike-from-the-sea-developing-the-uk-commando-force/
  35. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/august/29/20250829-royal-marines-complete-mountain-training
  36. https://www.forcesnews.com/services/royal-marines/royal-marines-commando-course-standards-still-high-ever-insists-carns
  37. https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/commandos-mental-mutiny-and-mindset
  38. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/psychology/imagery-training-helping-soldiers-find-their-grit
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