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, and is designed to assess a candidate's suitability for entry into the Royal Marines. The course is comprised of four Physical Assessments: A 3 mile run, Gym Test 1, the Bottomfield Assault Course and Gym Test 2. The course lasts for a total of 3 days. Prior preparation is mandatory in order to be successful.
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[edit] Day 1
On the first day of the PMRC, potential recruits begin their assesments at 6am. They undertake the 'bleep test', gym test 1, the Tarzan assault course and weapons familiarisation.
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. The 1.5 miles out is done in 12.5 mins followed by a best effort run back in under a total time of 23 minutes.[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.
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- Pressups are carried out immediately after the bleep test. A minimum of 20 pressups are needed to stay on the course, 60 for a max score, time limit: 2 mins. These are carried out 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 instructors observe to make sure the assessment is carried out flawlessly. If you do not use correct form, you will have pressups deducted from your final score. If you put your knees onto the floor after starting your score will be recorded by how many you had at that point.
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- 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.
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- 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 comprising 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. You will now move on to a light warm-up ready for the next exercise. After the 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. Straight after the warm-up you will go into a determination run, this has replaced the very tough warm-up before the assault course. It lasts for about 45 minutes and aims to see how determind your mind is. 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.
