Potential Royal Marine Course
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 composed of four Physical Assessments: A 3-mile run, Gym Test 1, the Bottomfield and a 2.5-mile section of the Endurance Course, which includes a 0.5-mile 'hare and hounds' chase, involving the remaining PRMC candidates to keep up with the PTI. The course lasts for a total of 3 days.
Day 1
On the first day of the PRMC, potential recruits begin their assessments at 6am. They undertake the 3 Mile Run and Gym Test 1.
The three-mile run consists of a 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 10.5 minutes.[1] However, candidates should aim for a return time of around 9 minutes to improve their chances of passing.
- Gym test 1 is conducted in the afternoon of the first day. It incorporates:
- The VO2 Max bleep test (also known as the 'bleep test'.) Maximum level is 13 for maximum points, and candidates should aim for at least level 11 to improve their chance of success.
- Pressups are carried out immediately after the bleep test. A maximum score of 6 points is achieved for 60 press-ups within the 2-minute time limit, but candidates should complete more if able. 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. Instructors observe to make sure the assessment is carried out flawlessly, and any poor form will result in press-ups being deducted from your final score. If you put your knees onto the floor you will be told to stop.
- Situps come straight after the press-ups. 80 are needed for maximum points, again 6 points, time limit is 2 mins. Carried out with partner holding feet, elbows must touch top of knees and then the shoulders and elbows must touch the floor on the way down for a repetition to count. Knees must remain together or else reps will be deducted.
- Pullups follow situps. A minimum of 3 are required to stay on the course, however candidates should aim for 8 good pullups and only do more if there are good form, ie. 8 good ones are better than 10 poor ones. Carried out with an over-grasp grip, the candidate is required to pull and hold the position until told to extend the arms; pull-ups are performed to the "bend" and "stretch" commands. The candidates chin must pass over the top of the bar to count and on the way down our body must be straight hanging down from the bar. Your legs must not cross. If the chin does not satisfactorily pass above the bar, or candidates cannot keep up with the commands, the candidate will be told to "drop off".
After Gym test 1 there is a short swimming assessment. Participants will be asked to swim the perimeter of the pool breaststroke unaided after jumping off of a diving board. They will also have to get out of the pool unaided (without using the ladders) It's not a test but participants who are deemed a weak swimmer will have to take extra swimming sessions if they make it to recruit training.
Day 2
The second day is a test of mental strength, physical endurance, stamina and determination. Both physical assessments are done wearing a combat jacket, combat trousers, a rugby shirt and boots. The first assessment of the day is the high obstacle course, the deathslide and the assault course, followed by the Endurance Course in the afternoon.
After completing the death-slide, a thorough warm-up begins consisting of sprints to obstacles, burpees, squat thrusts and star jumps, crawling uphill through wet mud on the "take cover" commands and pyramid exercises such as(press-ups, sit ups, and squat thrusts). Candidates then have to demonstrate confidence at height by completing the high-ropes obstacles, before being shown and practicing how to complete obstacles on the bottom field assault course 2 - 3 obstacles at a time. Candidates are timed around the obstacle course in a best effort attempt.
Throughout this morning, the expression "You're only as strong as your weakest man" is very much in force, meaning there are consequences for the entire squad if a few candidates do not do as told. Also, anybody lagging in particular will be penalised.
After a grueling morning, the afternoon is spent on the "Endurance Course." The first part of this consists of a 2.5-mile obstacle route across the rough and hilly terrain of Woodbury Common in boots and combat clothing. Obstacles include pools and muddy tunnels, some of which are completely underwater, making clothing heavy and ensuring candidates are cold and wet from the outset. The training team then take the candidates on a run across Woodbury Common that includes frequent hill-sprints, press-ups and tuck jumps. Some 'determination' tests along the way include carrying other candidates up hills and crawling through the streams and mud pools which frequent the area. All that has to be shown here is determination by sticking the course out and not stopping or walking. After the 2.5-mile obstacle course there is a 4-mile run back to CTC, any candidates who fall or finish behind the last instructor will be failed.
Immediately after the course returns to CTC they collect their bergans which had been prepared the previous night and travel to either Woodbury Common or a flat section of the Bottom Field where they spend the rest of that day and night on a fieldcraft exercise. Here the candidates have to cook their own meals from a 24-hour ration pack and pitch their own bivouacs. They will also do a 'cognitive ability' test, which consists of stripping then assembling an L85A2 assault rifle, to be done in a time limit. Potential recruits will also take turns taking sentry, with 2-man teams patrolling the perimeter for 30 minutes, at the end of which they will be relieved by the next pair of candidates.
Day 3
Reveille is called at 0500, with candidates repacking their bergans and marching back to their accommodation at approximately 0545. They then commence 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.
The PRMC is designed to challenge everyone regardless of their abilities and fitness. To this end it will always remain flexible. The training team are looking for candidates to show determination and the will to succeed.