The King visits the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, Devon
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The King spent time with Royal Marine trainees and instructors, as well as families and veterans of the Corps, after presenting he King’s Badge and a Green Beret to the best all-round member of the King’s Squad on completion of their Commando Training.
The King, as Captain General Royal Marines, has visited the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon, to meet Royal Marine trainees and instructors, as well as families and veterans of the Corps.
The Royal Marines are the amphibious troops of the Royal Navy, acknowledged as one of the world’s elite commando forces.
The Commando Training Centre is the primary training centre for the Royal Marines, divided into three training wings (Command Wing, Commando Training Wing and Specialist Training Wing) each with its own Commanding Officer. On average, 1,300 recruits, 2,000 potential recruits and 400 potential Officers attend training courses every year.
The King holds the title Captain General Royal Marines and is the Ceremonial Head of the Royal Marines, assuming the role in October 2022. The role was previously held by the late Duke of Edinburgh, His Majesty’s Grandfather King George VI and Great Grandfather King George V who, in 1918, designated that the senior training squad should be known as the King’ Squad and the best all-round recruit awarded the King’s Badge.
During his time at the centre, His Majesty presented the King’s Badge - the first time a king has presented the badge since King George VI in 1939 - and a Green Beret to the best all-round member of the King’s Squad on completion of their Commando Training.
At the Tarzan Assault Course, The King saw recruits completing one of the four gruelling Commando Tests which qualify them to wear the esteemed Green Beret. His Majesty also returned to some of the facilities where he trained as a helicopter pilot.
Addressing recruits, The King said:
As history has demonstrated, the Royal Marines have continued to remain at the very heart of our Nation’s defence, standing steadfast at the vanguard of change. Today marks not just the end of your rigorous Commando training, with which I am all too familiar! – culminating in the presentation of your Green Berets, but also the beginning of your service in one of the most formidable and revered forces in the world.
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