Potential Royal Marine Course

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The Potential Royal Marines Course, often abbreviated to PRMC, is the Royal Marines selection course for Potential Recruits. The course is held at CTCRM, designed to assess a candidates suitability for entry into the Royal Marines. The course is comprised of four Physical Assessments, 3 mile run, gym test 1, Bottomfield and gym test 2. The course lasts for 3 days. Prior preparation is mandatory in order to be successful.

Contents 1 Day 1 2 Day 2 3 Day 3 4 External links

[edit] Day 1

In the morning of the first day potential recruits will undertake a 3 mile run. The 3 miles are now run as a troop in under 22.5 minutes.

Update 04/03/07: This has now been changed back to 1.5 miles out run as a squad followed by 1.5 mile back individual best effort.^[1]

• Gym test 1 is conducted in the afternoon of the first day. It incorporates, VO2 Max bleep test (also known as the 'bleep test' You must achieve a level 10 to remain on the course (or 11 if you scored poorly on the mechanical comp psychometric test) - maximum level is 13.

• Pressups are carried out immediately after the bleep test. Minimum of 20 to stay on the course, 60 for a max score, time limit: 2 mins. But you will need to achieve 50 in order to pass the test. These are carried with arms locked into sides and shoulder width apart. The partner puts his fist on the floor facing away and counts one repetition for every time the chest touches his fist. The instructor observe to make sure the assessment is carried out flawlessly. Plus once you put your knees onto the floor after starting your score will be recorded by how many you had at that point.

• Situps follow the pressups. Minimum 30 or 80 for maximum points. time limit is 2 mins. Carried out with partner holding feet, elbows must touch top of knees for a repetition to count.

• Pullups follow situps. Candidates are required to complete 3 minimum and 6 for a maximum score. Carried out with an over-grasp grip, the candidate is required to pull and hold the position until told to extend the arms (or when the next candidate has completed the "up" movement satisfactorily). The candidates chin must pass over the top of the bar to count.

After Gym test 1 there is a short swimming assessment. Participants will be asked to swim a length of breaststroke unaided after jumping off of a diving board. It's not a test but participants can not pass the 32 week course without being an able swimmer.

[edit] Day 2

The second day is a test of mental strength, physical endurance, stamina and determination. Wearing a combat jacket+trousers, rugby shirt and boots. The first assessment of the day is the deathslide and high obstacles, followed by Bottomfield, after a warm-up comprised of sprints to obstacles, marking time(jogging on the spot), pyramid exercises(pressups, situps and squat thrusts), running up a hill and back. Pyramid exercises vary, examples such as Tuck jumps, burpees, squat thrusts and star jumps. The expression "You're only as strong as your weakest man", means there are consequences for the entire squad. Examples of such, candidates not doing required repetitions on the exercises, candidates doing wrong exercises. The warm-up will last from 15-25 minutes, the purpose of the warm-up is to assess a candidate's determination, hence the event is incredibly demanding in all aspects. After the thorough warm-up candidates are expected to complete the assault course. Various obstacles such as, walls, climbing stances and tunnels. The course is timed by the instructors. Candidates are encouraged to obtain a time under 4 minutes. This is arguably the toughest part of the course.

After a gruelling morning, candidates take part in their fourth and final assessment, known as gym test 2. Arriving in the gym greeted by gymnastics apparatus, candidates are encouraged to give this assessment 110% as it is the final one, also to gain additional points towards a pass if a candidate is struggling. Gym stances include team and individual events with 3 minutes per event, of which there are 5. Examples of such events, ammunition boxes with varying weight, must be taken by 2 men over and under beams set up. Another example, a heavy board on the floor with ropes attached, putting a bean bag into the box when a team completes pulling the box to their position. The final part of gym test 2 is sprints which vary in intensity depending on the instructor.

[edit] Day 3

Cleaning accommodation and returning equipment and clothing to the storeroom. You will also be told whether or not you have been successful on the course

Once a candidate has successfully passed the PRMC, he will be issued with a pair of boots and socks. They will then be entitled to join a recruit troop for Royal Marines recruit training. A "PRMC pass" certificate is also given.

The PRMC often changes and as of now activities are carried out in a different order than shown.

[edit] External links

• Royal Navy website

• Blue Peter's Matt Baker on the PRMC