How to Make a Royal Marines Officer

[Ravage]

[Rattfink]

Interesting video. I will have to finish it after work.

[Ravage]

To me it seemed a bit awkward when they steped out of the train, were greated like guests arriving into a hotel, a chat and drink and then off to bed. Only after the hell began.

[41Bravo]

My grand son completed the course in 2010, but does not want to be an officer???

[baboon6]

My grand son completed the course in 2010, but does not want to be an officer???

That sounds rather bizarre. Why did he do it in the first place then? Is he still serving?

[Leaper]

To me it seemed a bit awkward when they steped out of the train, were greated like guests arriving into a hotel, a chat and drink and then off to bed. Only after the hell began.

They are officer candidates, future colleagues. They will be tested for a year, no need to rush it.

[41Bravo]

That sounds rather bizarre. Why did he do it in the first place then? Is he still serving?

I should have been more specific. He has the academic qualifications to be an officer but just wanted to be a Marine Commando, so did not enter for the OTC. Yes, he is still serving and loving every minute of it, plus the daily and nightly training. He is an ex Falcon and farmers boy!

[Birsanc]

That is the officer batch of September 1980.

A whole 31 years ago.

It would be interesting to hear their stories now as well.

[Dave76]

That is the officer batch of September 1980.

A whole 31 years ago.

It would be interesting to hear their stories now as well.

1980? The BBC says 1989: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00jsd7c

Interesting vid, thanks OP.

[Birsanc]

It is stated, towards the end of the second clip:

"Sir, the young officer batch of September 1980 Sir, is fallen in, in three ranks, at open order and awaits your inspection"

(edit: I stand corrected - See Redders` post #16)

[baboon6]

I should have been more specific. He has the academic qualifications to be an officer but just wanted to be a Marine Commando, so did not enter for the OTC. Yes, he is still serving and loving every minute of it, plus the daily and nightly training. He is an ex Falcon and farmers boy!

Oh okay yes I understand. I was at varsity with quite a lot of Falcon boys, long time ago though!

EDITED TO ADD:

Quite an interesting stat here, from 2010:

http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct...vQ0DuA&cad=rja

Forty percent of Royal Marine recruits are educationally qualified to be officers. Over 10% have university degrees.

Doesn't necesarily mean they would pass the YO course though.

[baboon6]

It is stated, towards the end of the second clip:

"Sir, the young officer batch of September 1980 Sir, is fallen in, in three ranks, at open order and awaits your inspection"

There is no way this was made in 1980. For starters they have SA80s which only entered service in 1985 (RM were the first to get them).

EDITED TO ADD:

When they get their green berets it says batch of Sept 1987.

[Redders]

It's not YO80. As baboon says, they're using the L85 (although there are some scenese of blokes using L1A1 SLRs) and during their 30 Miler, Col A Whitehead (CO 45Cdo during Op Corporate) joins them, the narrator mentioning how he led 45 across the Falklands in 1982.

*edit*
It's YO87. Says so during their Green Beret presentation.......

It's interesting to see how little seems to have changed (admittedly I wasn't a YO) but it's always amusing to see the new YO batch cutting about CTC in suits.

Ravage, yes, their reception in the video is quite gentle, but rest assured, they get hammered.

baboon, with regards to educational qualifications, you don't need a degree to become a YO, however, being a university graduate will lead to being promoted to Captain before a non grad. Non grads may also do an extra tour as a Rifle Troop commander.

I'd be interested to hear Royal's thoughts on this documentary.

[Birsanc]

I would also be interested in Royal`s input.


It should be noted that the officer does in fact state in the video:

"Sir, the young officer batch of September 1980 Sir, is fallen in, in three ranks, at open order and awaits your inspection"

Perhaps he made an error? I am certain I heard it correctly.
(editted to add: I stand corrected-see Redders` post #16)

Nonetheless, in the video it is clear that it was Van der Horst who made the announcement and was also the recipient of the sword of honour. I am going to assume it was Richard Van der Horst who went on to become Lt-Col Richard Van der Horst.
The dates being floated by other members would be in tune. Apparently Lt-Col Richard Van der Horst was born in 1966.

According to this obituary, Lt-Col Richard Van der Horst died in a diving accident in March 2005, at 38 years old.

He was the CO of the Special Boat Service and had a very distinguished career.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...der-Horst.html

My apologies if I have mistaken the identity of the young man in the video.

[excpomea]

There is no way this was made in 1980. For starters they have SA80s which only entered service in 1985 (RM were the first to get them).

EDITED TO ADD:

When they get their green berets it says batch of Sept 1987.

I agree, there were not many South Atlantic MM holders running around in 1980... So had to be later. I would go withthe 1987 as mentioned.