Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox military installation Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines. It is situated near the villages of Lympstone and Exton, between the city of Exeter, and the town of Exmouth in Devon, England.
HistoryEdit
The site was established in 1940 as the "Royal Marines Depot Exton" and was renamed the "Royal Marines Depot Lympstone" later in the Second World War.<ref name=history>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February 1960, the Commando School Royal Marines, which had been based at Bickleigh Barracks, moved to the site.<ref name=cadet>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The site was renamed the "Commando Training Centre Royal Marines" in 1972.<ref name=history/>
OrganisationEdit
CTCRM is under the full command of Fleet Commander and responsible for providing commando trained officers and other ranks for the front line. CTCRM is overseen by the Commandant CTCRM, a colonel, Royal Marines.<ref name=ctc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> CTCRM is structured with three training wings (Command Wing, Commando Training Wing and Specialist Wing) each with its own commanding officer.<ref name=ctc/>
CoursesEdit
Candidates who wish to become Other Ranks are required to pass Recruit Orientation Phase (ROP) of four weeks before beginning the mainstream 32 weeks training. Before they start ROP they undergo academic, medical and interview assessments.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> New entry training for Royal Marines other ranks (culminating in a month long "commando course") is undertaken at CTCRM, at Dartmoor, and at Woodbury Common, Devon, and is conducted over thirty-two weeks.<ref name=ctc/> Candidates who pass the commando course receive the award of the green beret, the distinguishing mark of a commando.<ref name=ctc/>
Those who wish to become Royal Marine Officers must pass the Potential Officers Course (POC).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This is a four-day course that assesses physical and academic ability. Those who pass this and then perform well at the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) will be offered a place on the Young Officer Training course. This course lasts 15 months, of which 34 weeks are spent at CTCRM<ref name=expect>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the remainder at Britannia Royal Naval College and on the West Coast of Scotland.<ref name=expect /> CTCRM delivers new entry training to an average of 800 recruits a year. Specialist Wing trains Royal Marines and non-commissioned officers in a wide variety of specialisations e.g.: platoon weapons instructors, mountain leaders, communications and information technology specialists.<ref name=ctc/>
Lympstone CommandoEdit
CTCRM is served by Lympstone Commando railway station on the "Avocet Line".<ref name=FOIreq>FOI request sent through Whatdotheyknow</ref>
CadetsEdit
CTCRM is the home of Lympstone Division Royal Marines Volunteer Cadet Corps,<ref name=cadets>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which is open to boys and girls aged 9 to 16 (who can serve until aged 18) from the local south east Devon area.<ref name=cadets/>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Royal Navy shore establishments Template:Naval Service (British) Template:British Military IOT