Royal Marines’ training can be watered to allow more women to enter the Navy after “political pressure” on diversity goals
The whistleblower revealed that due to the hard training of Royal Marine recruits, more women can be recognized due to “political pressure”.
There is growing concern that elements of the Royal Navy’s elite commando training keep the standards of World War II at stable standards, which has allowed women to pass, while junior coaches expressed disapproval on social media.
Training at the commando base in Lympstone near Exeter is the toughest training in NATO infantry units.
Nine women passed the “full weapon commando test” for ten weeks, but no one passed the full 32-week Royal Marines course.
Seven female applicants have tried it so far, especially former England rower Philippa Birch, who joined in 2019 but left after she was injured.
It is understood that the Royal Navy chiefs are under pressure from civil servants to increase their diversity figures.
Senior officials have expressed their concerns privately. The person who recently served in Lympstone said: “The tests required to pass this course and get the privilege of wearing a green beret have not been diluted.
“But the pressure to get women through the route is high, and the Navy sees it as some kind of crusade. Our point is that there are a lot of really good women out there that will pass at some point.
Marine John Carl (pictured) reportedly called him considered a “terrorist and criminal” and reportedly raised concerns about fitness standards for female recruits with his boss
Recruits run in training at Lympstone under the Talzan Offensive Course at the Royal Marines of Talzan Assault Training Centre during training at the Commando Training Centre
Two naval commandos occupy positions on the beach in Harastard, Norway after swimming in training practice
Women can serve in various places in the armed forces, with only the Royal Marines and SAS without female “badges” soldiers.
Last month, Department of Defense police warned in an open letter that “training is being diluted to achieve diversity goals,” claiming that this could put the lives of male Marines in danger.
He claimed that women’s standards were lowering, some “artificially promoted through training” and accepted “not obtained paper passes.”
“The selection criteria have not changed, and the same high standards apply to every recruit,” the Ministry of Defense said.
Referring to Marine Carr, adding: “This issue is subject to ongoing investigation, so we cannot comment further.”
