i joined the rm in 1990, and lasted till week 27 before i wrapped.
during that time, we were what you might call beasted (thats definatley what i would call it).
we were told to fall in at a certain time for each lesson, and where to fall in. as is usual with newbys, someone was always late. the training team would then announce "thats 2 minute you owe me gentlemen". (they didnt shout, but calmly reminded us, and the tone was more ominous than a guardsmans shout).
on the 2nd excersize, "gruesome twosome" as we called it, we were soundly beasted on woodbury common. none of the training tean ever laid a finger on any recruit, but we could tell they were dis-pleased.
and there was no way we would refuse to do as ordered. sgt mullaney (sp) was a small wirey chap, who looked vicious as hell.
the whole troop was made to run round rifles above heads (not resting on helmets), dive into gorse bushes (all the way in) and up and down hills ("it pays to be a winner" was a brilliant incentive after a while).
one rather loud cockney lad was then taken away for furthe "instruction".
several men cried, wrapped, wanted out, etc, but after the initial beasting, and the explanation, they all stayed and cracked on with training.
there are some (not my training team) who did abuse their position and phyically abuse recruits, no doubt.
we were beasted because we screwed up big time, and it was expalined to us that if we were give a task/timing/job etc, then we arrived on time/did the job/task, as other lives depended on it.
atfer i left, several years later, there was a documentary on tv which showed a RM MAJOR trying to say that pressups/beastings etc was not the way to go, and that recruits should be treated differently.
my personal view.
recruits are taken from every day life, taught how to soldier, which includes killing amongst other things, and part of the marine ethos, is that you are all family.
you trust your fellow marines with your life and vice versa.
sometimes their methods may seem extreme, but the end result is a marine straight from training who can fit into a cdo unit, and go straight to a war zone, and fit in.
we had a good training team (588 troop), and some were not so lucky.
certainley recruits are more aware of thier rights these days.
but how do you train soldiers/marines to kill, then spend weeks /years not doing what they are trained for, but expect them to keep up the skill so that they can do exactley what they trained for at the drop of a hat?
i think that is down to the troop sgt. ours was well aware of all that went on, and he was severe, but fair with it.
we were issued basic kit, and taught how to use it, then near the end of training, we could buy and use personnal kit, (what a differance a bergan makes compared to a 58 large pack).
all i can say is from the sounds of it, yes they are getting it easier, but i do not have the actual proof of todays training to comfirm this.
awaiting incoming
yours aye
jason
www.savedutchy.co.uk
