Veterans Minister Al Carns has firmly denied claims circulating on social media that standards on the Royal Marines Commando Course have been lowered to accommodate female recruits, stating that “nothing has changed, and nothing will.”
Mr Carns, a former colonel in the Royal Marines who completed the gruelling Commando Course twice, first as a recruit, then again as a young officer, took to social media to defend the elite training programme’s enduring rigour.
“I want to be very clear that the standards expected to pass the Royal Marines Commando Course have not and will not change,” he wrote on X. “I know the dedication, drive and grit required to complete the arduous Commando tests. I speak from experience.”
His comments come in response to a now-deleted post made by a serving Royal Marine, who claimed that course requirements were being relaxed to allow female recruits to succeed. The marine also shared a so-called “survey” of other personnel allegedly supporting his view, though it was swiftly removed following an internal investigation.
Serving personnel rarely speak publicly on internal matters, and no hard evidence was offered to support the marine’s allegations.
Commando Course remains one of the toughest in the world
Regarded as one of the most demanding basic military training programmes anywhere in the world, the Royal Marines Commando Course spans 32 weeks and tests recruits physically and mentally at every stage.
To earn the coveted green beret, candidates must pass five key tests, beginning with the Bottom Field Passout in week 20, an intense assault course at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, involving climbs, a fireman’s carry and obstacle challenges.
Later in training, recruits must complete four further Commando tests: the Endurance Course, a nine-mile speed march, the high-wire Tarzan Assault Course, and a punishing 30-mile march across Dartmoor, which must be completed in under eight hours.
Only those who complete all stages successfully are awarded the green beret.
Each year, around 1,300 recruits attempt the course; just over half make it through.
Women in Commando training: no compromises, no pass yet
It has been six years since all military roles were formally opened to women in the UK, including the Royal Marines. However, to date, no female recruit has passed the full Commando Course.
That said, seven women, including Royal Navy officer Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, have completed the shorter, 13-week All Arms Commando Course, which trains non-Royal Marines from across the services in Commando skills.
Women who have attempted the longer Royal Marines course remain confident that success is only a matter of time. There are currently no published figures on how many women are attempting the course, nor how many have come close to completion.
Crucially, there is no independent evidence to support any claim that course standards have been lowered or altered in any way to accommodate female candidates.
MOD backs minister’s assurance
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson echoed Mr Carns’ sentiments, stating: “Royal Marine Commando selection standards have not changed, and the same high standards apply to every recruit.”
The spokesperson added that the allegations made online were under investigation: “We expect the highest standards of all our service personnel. We are committed to investigating any allegation of behaviour that could bring the Armed Forces into disrepute.”
In a separate development, the MOD confirmed that a small-scale trial is being considered to review the overall duration of the Commando Course. However, it stressed that no final decision has been made, and the review is unrelated to gender-based training concerns.
As scrutiny continues over military readiness and recruitment diversity, ministers and military leadership appear united in maintaining that the Royal Marines’ legendary Commando standards remain untouched.
