My story is quite simple:

I am attempting to complete the 3 Day, Potential Royal Marines Course (PRMC) at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, Lympstone, At the tender age of 45, I must be nuts! The PRMC is a 3 day aptitude test to determine a candidate’s suitability to complete the Royal Marines 32 week Training Course.

Criteria tests are:

Day 1 AM- 3 mile run - first 1.5 miles as a squad, second half individual best time inside 10.30 mins

PM: Bleep test Level 13+

60 press ups (no rest) in 2 mins

80 sit ups in 2 mins

6+ overhand grip pull ups 

Day 2 AM - Royal Marine Tarzan Assault Course (Practice then Timed Run)

PM - Commando Endurance Course - 2.5 miles through bogs, ponds & water tunnels.

Obviously there are a few "extras" thrown in including the "strength of mind determination test" and the swim. 

For further details of what it involves go to http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/  and type  "PRMC" in the search box. 

There are three reasons, or motivational factors driving me: The first is the charities, The Royal Marine Charitable Trust Fund & Help for Heroes, the second is from a recruiting perspective linked to my job, and the third reason is a personal one to prove to myself that at 45, I’m still as fit, and capable as I was when I was 25. I know I’m not, but I do believe that age is not an excuse to let your physical well being go “down the pan”.

To elaborate on My Main Reason 

My next door neighbour flew out to several weeks ago with 40 Commando RM’s. Over the years I have developed a close bond with him and his family. I mentored him through the recruiting process and through training. He would often call me, and I would give him what advise I could. When he went out to  I tied a yellow ribbon round the large tree opposite our house along with my 4 year old daughter and 3 year old son. At night the two of them kneel down at the side of their bed and mention him in their prayers. Their understanding is limited, but as they grow up, my wife and I will make sure that they learn about the sacrifice that him and the others with him, and those before them like Mne Liam Elms (a local lad who was killed last year) are prepared to make so that we can all live in a free and safe world. On 9^th May 2010, the first, and god only prays, the last Royal Marine Commando fell in . As I heard the news on the radio my, heart sank. I was thankful that it wasn’t him. But, that fallen hero will most certainly be someone’s son, brother, boyfriend/husband or friend. God only knows what turmoil his family are going through. We pray that they all come back safe, and that the yellow ribbon that is on the tree that we look at every time we step out of the door is removed by our neighbour when he comes home, and not by my children!

Reason 2

My job is to recruit and select suitable men to join the Royal Marines, and part of this role involves advising candidates about what is involved in the PRMC, and how to prepare for it, but how do I really know what it’s like?  For that reason I am willing to give it a go.

Reason 3

I believe I have mental strength, and I believe that if I prepare well, I can actually give a good account of myself. 45 years old is not the age when we throw the towel in physically, and I would like to make that point.

Going back to my main reason, the charities - Help for Hero’s & Royal Marines Charitable Trust

Half of the money raised will go to the Help for Heros charity, and half will be donated to the Royal Marines Charitable Trust.

Help for Heros

It’s about the blokes, our men and women of the Armed Forces. It’s about Derek, a rugby player who has lost both his legs, it’s about Carl whose jaw is wired up so he has been drinking through a straw. It’s about Richard who was handed a mobile phone as he lay on the stretcher so he could say goodbye to his wife. It’s about Ben, it’s about Steven and Andy and Mark, it’s about them all. They are just blokes but they are our blokes; they are our heroes. We want to help our heroes."

The Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund

The RM Charitable Trust Fund exists to maintain the efficiency and 'esprit de corps' of the Royal Marines and to provide support for those in need. In addition to benevolence work, there are many other calls upon this fund. These range from the provision of wreaths for Rememberance services, support to veterans reunions and the RM Museum to the construction and maintenance of war memorials.

PLEASE NOTE,  I HAVE TWO SEPERATE PAGES FOR THE TWO CHARITIES - PLEASE PICK ONE OR THE OTHER WHEN DONATING.

Please donate to my event, because somewhere on the front line very soon another one of our boys will return from the battlefield injured without a limb, their sight, horrifically burned or mentally scared, having put themselves in harms way for you and me!

A reality check!!   -     http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8698934.stm 

THREE ROYAL MARINES FROM 40 CDO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN ACTION SINCE I LAUNCHED THIS PAGE!!