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All Arms Commando Course

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is a demanding 13-week training regimen conducted by the Royal Marines, designed to qualify serving personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force for integration into Commando units, such as 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, by instilling the core Commando ethos of courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in adversity.^[1] The course takes place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, and is preceded by a mandatory four-week preparatory phase at RM Chivenor or Okehampton Battle Camp, focusing on foundational skills like weapon handling, field exercises, and battle physical training to ensure candidates meet entry standards.^[1]^[2] Eligibility for the AACC requires participants to be medically deployable, pass pre-course physical assessments (including a 1.5-mile run in under 11 minutes 30 seconds, rope climbs, and an assault course), and hold valid qualifications in individual training requirements, basic first aid, navigation, annual combat marksmanship tests, and 5.56mm SA80 A2 weapon handling.^[1] The main curriculum covers essential military disciplines, including fieldcraft and tactics, signals, advanced first aid, map reading and navigation, skill at arms, physical fitness conditioning, amphibious operations, and vertical assault techniques, all tailored to prepare tri-service ranks for high-readiness expeditionary roles in environments ranging from arctic to jungle conditions.^[1]^[2] A defining feature of the AACC is its culmination in four rigorous Commando Tests, which serve as the final validation of a candidate's physical robustness and mental resolve: the Endurance Course (a 6-mile obstacle run completed in 73 minutes), the Tarzan Assault Course (a 13-minute aerial and ground assault with 9.6 kg load), the 9-Mile Speed March (90 minutes with 9.6 kg), and the 30-Mile March (8 hours across rugged terrain with 9.6 kg).^[1]^[2] Successful graduates earn the prestigious green beret, the right to wear the Commando flash on their uniform, and the Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife (Commando dagger), marking their status as qualified Commandos eligible for attachment to elite units like UK Commando Force or Commando Helicopter Force.^[3]^[4] The program runs three to four times annually and has trained thousands of non-Royal Marine personnel since its establishment to foster interoperability across the UK's joint forces.^[1]

History and Background

Origins in World War II

The All Arms Commando Course traces its origins to the establishment of specialized commando training during World War II, specifically designed to qualify personnel from various branches of the British military, including the Army and later the Royal Marines, for elite raiding and assault roles. In 1942, the Commando Basic Training Centre was founded at Achnacarry Castle in the Scottish Highlands, serving as the central hub for integrating soldiers from different services into cohesive commando units under the British Commandos framework. This initiative addressed the need for a unified force capable of amphibious operations, drawing volunteers primarily from Army regiments to undergo rigorous selection and training that emphasized physical endurance, tactical proficiency, and inter-service cooperation.^[5]^[6] The primary aim of this early training was to test and build the fortitude of recruits through demanding assault exercises, fostering self-discipline and the ability to execute high-risk missions. Courses incorporated specialized physical challenges, such as the "Tarzan course"—an aerial obstacle assault involving swinging on ropes between trees and cliffs to simulate jungle or rugged terrain navigation—and other rope-based drills that honed agility, strength, and teamwork under stress. These elements were part of a broader curriculum influenced by the Combined Operations Directorate, which centralized training previously scattered across sites like Lochailort, to prepare commandos for rapid, aggressive strikes against Axis targets. By early 1942, the first centralized courses commenced, with intakes focusing on survival skills, close-quarters combat, and amphibious landing techniques essential for the evolving demands of the war.^[5]^[6] Key historical applications included the training of No. 4 Commando and various independent companies, which underwent Achnacarry's regimen to ready them for pivotal operations. Under Combined Operations, these units were primed for amphibious raids, most notably the Dieppe Raid in August 1942, where No. 4 Commando assaulted the port's eastern battery, destroying gun positions despite heavy casualties that underscored the raid's role in refining future invasion tactics. This wartime training at Achnacarry not only integrated diverse personnel but also established the foundational principles of commando qualification that would influence subsequent military specializations.^[6]^[5]^[7]

Post-War Development and Role in UK Commando Forces

Following the end of World War II in 1946, the British Army's Commando units were largely disbanded, with the primary responsibility for maintaining Commando capabilities transferred to the Royal Marines.^[8] The Commando School, previously located at Towyn in Wales, relocated to Bickleigh near Plymouth in 1947 and then to Lympstone in Devon in 1954, where it formed the basis of the Infantry Training Centre Royal Marines (ITCRM).^[8] During the late 1940s and 1950s, not all Royal Marines underwent full Commando training, but standardization efforts intensified, culminating in 1959 when all personnel in the Corps were required to complete the course.^[9] The All Arms Commando Course (AACC), specifically tailored for non-Royal Marines from other services, emerged in the early 1960s to broaden the pool of qualified personnel for integrated operations. The inaugural group from the newly formed 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery passed the course in 1962, marking the start of tri-service participation and earning the distinctive green beret.^[8] Throughout the 1960s and 1980s, the AACC expanded to align with the UK's NATO obligations, placing greater emphasis on littoral warfare skills essential for amphibious assaults and rapid deployment in coastal environments.^[10] This period saw the addition of specialized units, such as the 24 Commando Engineer Regiment and Commando Logistic Squadron, enhancing the brigade's versatility for multinational exercises and deployments.^[8] The AACC is administered by the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, renamed from the ITCRM in 1972 to reflect the universal Commando training mandate for Royal Marines.^[11] Through this program, the CTCRM integrates Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force personnel into 3 Commando Brigade, fostering a cohesive tri-service structure that includes attached elements like the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery for fire support and aviation units for logistical reinforcement. This institutional framework ensures the UK Commando Force maintains high readiness for joint and combined operations, with non-Royal Marines forming a key component of its operational strength.^[9]

Entry Requirements and Preparation

Eligibility Criteria

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is open to serving personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, encompassing all ranks who seek to qualify for roles within UK Commando Forces, including the Commando Helicopter Force and the Littoral Strike Group.^[1] Candidates must be recommended by their unit commanding officer, who provides a fitness certificate confirming suitability at least eight weeks prior to course commencement.^[12] No prior commando experience is required, though applicants must demonstrate basic infantry skills through in-date Individual Training Requirements (ITRs), such as first aid, map reading, military navigation, Annual Combat Marksmanship Test (ACMT), and weapon handling with the 5.56mm SA80 A2 rifle.^[1] Eligibility aligns with Royal Marines recruitment standards, requiring candidates to be medically fully deployable to Profile 2 (P2) standards, and compliant with weight and body mass index (BMI) guidelines set by the Institute of Naval Medicine.^[1] Applicants must possess a valid security clearance appropriate for operational roles.^[13] Physical and mental resilience are assessed via the Potential Commando Physical Assessment (PCPA), which includes a 1.5-mile run in under 11 minutes 30 seconds, two 30-foot rope climbs, completion of the Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes, a 200-meter fireman's carry in under 90 seconds, and a map reading test at MATT 5/ITR level; additionally, candidates must swim 40 meters in clothing and tread water for 3 minutes from a 3-meter height.^[1] Proficiency in communications equipment, such as the PC 354 and PRC 355 Bowman radios, is also required prior to entry.^[1]

Pre-Course Training and Selection

The selection process for the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) begins with a comprehensive evaluation to ensure candidates meet the physical, medical, and motivational standards required for the demanding training ahead. Candidates must first pass the Potential Commando Physical Assessment (PCPA), which includes a 1.5-mile run completed in under 11 minutes and 30 seconds, two 30-foot rope climbs (one with 15 pounds of webbing and one clean), one circuit of the Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes, a 200-meter fireman's carry in under 90 seconds, and a map reading test to the standard of MATT 5/ITR Navigation.^[1] Medical screening is mandatory, requiring candidates to be fully deployable under Profile 2 (P2) standards, with body weight and BMI compliant with Institute of Naval Medicine guidelines, and no pre-existing injuries that could hinder performance.^[1] Additionally, motivational interviews assess a candidate's commitment and suitability, helping to identify those with the mental resilience needed to succeed.^[1] Prior to arriving for selection, candidates from home units are expected to undertake self-directed preparation to build the necessary fitness and skills, typically over several months, focusing on cardiovascular endurance through running, strength training, and basic navigation to meet entry benchmarks and reduce the risk of early attrition.^[1] This home-unit phase also includes achieving proficiency in essential military competencies, such as radio communications using PC 354 and PRC 355 Bowman systems, alongside annual certifications in individual training requirements (ITRs), basic first aid, annual combat marksmanship test (ACMT), and weapon handling for the 5.56mm SA80 A2 rifle.^[1] Candidates must also pass the Royal Marines Basic Swimming Test, consisting of a 40-meter swim in clothing, a 3-meter water entry, and a 3-minute water tread.^[1] Following successful selection, candidates attend a 4-week preparatory course at RM Chivenor or Okehampton Battle Camp, delivered by the Commando Logistics Regiment, designed to establish foundational physical conditioning and familiarize participants with key elements of commando training.^[1]^[2] The course emphasizes battle physical training to enhance stamina and robustness, SA80 rifle familiarization and handling drills, and field exercises that promote team cohesion and basic tactical awareness, thereby minimizing dropouts during the subsequent main AACC phases.^[1] This preparatory phase ensures that service personnel from diverse tri-service backgrounds arrive at the core 9-week course with standardized skills and elevated fitness levels.^[2]

Course Structure and Aims

Duration, Location, and Overview

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is a rigorous 13-week training programme designed to qualify personnel from across the British Armed Forces for service within Commando units. Conducted three times per year, it integrates preparatory elements to build foundational fitness and skills, ensuring candidates are ready for the demanding curriculum ahead.^[1] The course takes place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon, United Kingdom, the primary facility for Royal Marines training and tri-service commando qualification. This coastal location provides diverse terrain for amphibious and field exercises, supporting the programme's focus on operational readiness in varied environments.^[14] Typically accommodating 50 to 100 tri-service candidates per intake from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, the AACC features a high attrition rate of around 50%, resulting from voluntary withdrawals, injuries, or failure to meet standards. The structure progresses through phases emphasizing individual skills such as navigation and weapons handling, advancing to unit-level tactics and team-based operations, before culminating in the Commando Tests. Central to the course is the Commando Spirit, which instils values including "cheerfulness in the face of adversity" to foster resilience and morale under stress.^[9]^[1]

Primary Objectives and Skills Developed

The primary objective of the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) is to equip non-Royal Marine personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force with the necessary attributes to serve in support roles within the 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, emphasizing expeditionary and amphibious operations.^[1]^[2] The course evaluates participants on the Commando Ethos, which includes mindset, values, and spirit, while developing core military skills, physical robustness, and mental resilience required for extremely high readiness in commando and littoral strike environments.^[1] Key competencies gained encompass individual fieldcraft, such as navigation, survival techniques, first aid, and map reading; small-unit tactics; and specialist drills including amphibious training, vertical assault (encompassing cliff assault and helicopter insertion), signals proficiency with equipment like the Bowman man-pack radios, and skill at arms with troop weapons.^[1] The training also builds leadership and resilience, fostering the Commando Spirit characterized by courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness in the face of adversity.^[1] Successful graduates qualify to wear the green commando beret and the Commando Dagger insignia, enabling attachment to commando units and promoting tri-service interoperability within the UK Commando Forces.^[3]^[2]

Training Content

Physical Conditioning and Fieldcraft

The physical conditioning phase of the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) emphasizes building endurance and robustness through a progressive regime during the initial weeks, typically weeks 1 to 6, to prepare personnel for the demands of Commando operations.^[9] Training begins with foundational fitness assessments, such as a 1.5-mile run completed in under 11.5 minutes individually, followed by incremental increases in intensity, including runs up to 9 miles (14.5 km) in 90 minutes carrying 9.6 kg of equipment and a personal weapon.^[1]^[9] Loaded marches start with lighter loads of approximately 21 lb (9.6 kg) for shorter distances, such as a 4-mile (6.4 km) speed march in 40 minutes, progressing to heavier configurations like 70 lb (31.8 kg) for 12-mile (19.3 km) night carries over 4 hours 40 minutes.^[9] Obstacle courses form a core component, with candidates tackling the Bottom Field assault course in under 5 minutes while encumbered by 9.6 kg plus weapon, alongside the Tarzan Assault Course completed in 13 minutes under similar loads to develop agility and strength.^[1]^[9] Fieldcraft training integrates survival and navigation skills essential for independent operations in austere environments, conducted primarily during the infantry skills phase. Navigation exercises occur on challenging terrains like Dartmoor and Woodbury Common, involving solo night sessions where candidates use map reading, route cards, bearings, and pacing while carrying 9.6 kg of equipment and a weapon to simulate real-world disorientation risks.^[9]^[1] Survival elements focus on self-sufficiency, including wet and dry routines for maintaining dry clothing and building basic shelters during extended field exercises to ensure rest in harsh conditions, alongside first aid and fieldcraft fundamentals.^[9] Basic weapons drills introduce handling of the SA80 A2 rifle, requiring candidates to achieve a skilled standard in weapon handling tests on day one, followed by integration into physical tasks such as carrying the 9 lb (4.1 kg) rifle during marches and range firing (e.g., 6/10 hits at 25 meters).^[1]^[9] Injury prevention and recovery are embedded throughout, with candidates required to be medically fully deployable (P2 profile) prior to arrival and supported by integrated medical oversight during training.^[1] Pre-course preparation at units like RM Chivenor includes conditioning to mitigate stress injuries, such as using broken-in boots and grass-based runs, while the progressive load increases allow gradual adaptation.^[9] Mental toughness is cultivated through the Commando Spirit—emphasizing courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness—via simulations of sleep deprivation in long-duration field exercises and night navigation, fostering resilience under fatigue.^[1]^[9]

Tactical and Specialist Drills

The tactical and specialist drills phase of the All Arms Commando Course (AACC), typically spanning weeks 7 to 10, emphasizes the application of combat tactics in team-based scenarios, building directly on foundational physical conditioning and fieldcraft to develop commando-specific operational proficiency.^[9] This period integrates small-unit tactics, where trainees practice fire-and-movement techniques to simulate offensive and defensive maneuvers, ensuring coordinated suppression and assault under simulated combat conditions.^[15] Amphibious landings form a core component, with drills involving entry from raiding craft or helicopters onto varied shorelines, focusing on rapid debarkation, beachhead establishment, and transition to inland movement while maintaining tactical awareness.^[1] Cliff assaults represent a hallmark of commando training during this phase, requiring the use of ropes, etriers (stirrup-like aids), and abseiling equipment to scale vertical faces under load, often in low-visibility or adverse weather to replicate real-world insertion challenges.^[2] Specialist elements extend to helicopter drills, including embarkation and insertion procedures from platforms such as the Merlin or Chinook, where trainees learn to execute fast-roping or hover-exit techniques for rapid deployment into hostile areas.^[9] Urban close-quarters battle (CQB) training introduces room-clearing and building-assault protocols, emphasizing controlled aggression, weapon handling in confined spaces, and non-lethal threat neutralization.^[15] Live-firing exercises integrate these tactics, allowing trainees to conduct dynamic shoots with the SA80 A2 rifle and support weapons during section attacks, reinforcing accuracy and fire discipline in motion.^[1] Incorporation of signals training equips participants with proficiency in radio procedures using equipment like the PRC 354 and PRC 355, enabling effective communication for coordinating movements and calling in support.^[1] Logistics elements are woven in, teaching basic resupply and casualty evacuation within tactical contexts to sustain operations.^[9] Scenario-based training culminates the phase, involving multi-day simulated operations across diverse terrains such as Dartmoor or coastal zones, where teams apply integrated skills in patrolling, ambushes, and extractions, adapting to evolving threats while prioritizing the Commando Ethos of courage and determination.^[2] These drills foster interoperability among tri-service personnel, preparing them for roles in UK Commando Force units by emphasizing collective problem-solving over individual performance.^[15]

Assessment and Tests

In-Course Evaluations

The All Arms Commando Course incorporates ongoing in-course evaluations to monitor participants' physical robustness, military skills, and overall progress throughout its duration, ensuring consistent development and early identification of areas requiring improvement. These assessments are conducted periodically, often weekly or at key milestones, and emphasize sustained performance rather than isolated achievements.^[9] Physical evaluations form a core component, testing endurance and strength under load. Weekly checks typically include a 30-foot (9.1 m) rope climb, performed twice—once with 15 pounds (6.8 kg) in webbing and once in clean fatigue—to verify upper-body capability and technique.^[1] Additionally, the fireman's carry requires covering 200 meters while transporting a partner along with equipment and weapons for both (total load typically exceeding 200 pounds or 90 kg) within 90 seconds, simulating casualty evacuation under duress.^[9] A loaded yomp, such as a 12-mile (19 km) night march carrying approximately 69 pounds (31 kg) of marching order plus personal weapon, must be completed in 4 hours as a formed body, reinforcing stamina and team discipline.^[2] Skill-based evaluations assess tactical proficiency and operational readiness. Navigation tests involve solo or group exercises in varied terrain, often at night with full equipment, to evaluate map reading, compass use, and route planning accuracy.^[9] Weapon proficiency is gauged through handling tests and live-fire shoots, requiring participants to demonstrate skilled operation of personal weapons like the SA80 rifle to established standards.^[2] Assault course timings, such as completing the Bottom Field circuit—including obstacles, crawls, and regains—under 5 minutes while carrying 21 pounds (9.5 kg) plus rifle, measure agility and obstacle negotiation.^[1] Failure in these evaluations triggers remedial training to address deficiencies, with persistent underperformance leading to withdrawal from the course and return to unit (RTU). This approach prioritizes holistic resilience, as isolated failures are viewed as opportunities for correction rather than immediate elimination.^[9]

Final Commando Test Week

The Final Commando Test Week, occurring in week 13 of the All Arms Commando Course, serves as the decisive phase where candidates must pass four traditional tests to qualify as commandos, assessing their physical endurance, mental resilience, and ability to operate under stress. These tests are conducted over five days at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone and across Dartmoor, typically in harsh winter conditions that amplify the challenges of cold, wind, and terrain. All tests require candidates to carry a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bergen of equipment plus a personal weapon, totaling approximately 30 lb (13.6 kg) of load, emphasizing the Commando Spirit of courage, determination, unselfishness, and cheerfulness.^[1]^[16] The week begins with the Endurance Course on Saturday, a 9.65 km (6-mile) individual assault over obstacles, tunnels, and rough terrain, including a water-filled tunnel and steep climbs, which must be completed in 73 minutes, followed by a shooting assessment requiring at least 6 out of 10 hits on target. This is followed on Monday by the 9-Mile Speed March, a 14 km (9-mile) timed march as a formed body, completed in 90 minutes, testing unit cohesion and pace under load. Tuesday features the Tarzan Aerial Assault Course, a high-obstacle confidence test with 13 elements such as rope climbs, swings, and a death slide, to be finished in 13 minutes, building on earlier drills to demand full agility and fear management. The week culminates midweek with the 30-Miler, a 48 km (30-mile) yomp across Dartmoor's rugged moorland from Okehampton to Woodbury Common, navigated using map and compass, and completed within 8 hours while carrying additional safety stores, often increasing the load to around 40 lb (18 kg).^[1]^[16]^[9] These tests hold significant historical roots, with the Tarzan course originating in World War II-era Royal Marines training to simulate jungle and urban assault scenarios, as depicted in contemporary training films. The overall pass rate for Test Week is a key determinant of course success, as failure in any test requires reattempts or withdrawal, while successful completion awards the coveted green beret, symbolizing qualification as a commando. Preparation draws from in-course evaluations, ensuring candidates are primed for this final trial.^[17]^[16]

Reserve Forces Commando Course

Adaptation for Reservists

The Adaptation for Reservists in the All Arms Commando Course is primarily delivered through the Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC), which is specifically designed for personnel from the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) and selected Army Reserve units serving in commando roles.^[18]^[19] The RFCC ensures that reservists receive the same core training content and must pass identical assessments, including the four Commando Tests, as their regular counterparts to earn the green beret and qualify for service with 3 Commando Brigade.^[18]^[20] Unlike the continuous 13-week format of the regular AACC, the RFCC employs a modular delivery structure to accommodate part-time commitments, consisting of weekly evening sessions, monthly weekends, and an annual two-week concentrated training period at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone.^[21]^[18] This approach allows reservists to build foundational skills progressively over 12-15 months before culminating in the intensive two-week RFCC phase, where they complete final exercises and tests.^[20]^[19] Reservists integrate with regular forces during the RFCC and other joint exercises to foster interoperability, training side-by-side to maintain operational cohesion.^[18]^[22] Following successful completion, these part-time commandos provide augmentation to regular units, supporting amphibious and commando operations as required while balancing civilian careers.^[18]^[21]

Training Timeline and Self-Preparation

The Reserve Forces Commando Course (RFCC) for reservists from the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) and other services' commando units, such as the Army Reserve's 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, follows an extended timeline designed to accommodate part-time commitments, typically lasting 9 to 15 months in total. This structure begins after initial Phase 1 basic training and includes progressive preparation over weekends, weekday evenings, and occasional 1- to 2-week blocks, culminating in the intensive 2-week RFCC at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon.^[18]^[23] The preparation phase emphasizes phased skill development, starting with foundational fitness and fieldcraft built through unit sessions and independent effort over several months, followed by advanced tactical integration leading into the final test period. Reservists must accumulate substantial training time, often equivalent to dozens of days across evenings and weekends, to ensure readiness for the RFCC's demands, including assault courses, navigation, and endurance marches.^[23]^[24] Self-preparation plays a pivotal role due to the distributed nature of reserve training, requiring candidates to maintain consistent personal workouts in their civilian time to build physical robustness, mental resilience, and skills like speed-marching and weapon handling. Units provide structured fitness programs, while official resources from CTCRM and the Royal Navy, such as downloadable fitness plans and the Commando Ready mobile app, offer guided progressions for running, strength, and endurance to align with commando standards. Progress in key areas like loaded marches and navigation is often tracked through personal records to verify competency before the RFCC.^[23]^[25]^[26] This flexible yet rigorous schedule poses significant challenges for reservists, who must integrate demanding preparation with full-time civilian employment or studies, necessitating exceptional self-motivation to sustain momentum over the extended period and overcome the spaced-out format's potential for lapses in consistency.^[23]^[18]

Modern Developments

Gender Integration and Inclusivity

The All Arms Commando Course (AACC) opened to women in 1998 as part of the UK Ministry of Defence's progressive integration of female personnel into demanding training programs, reflecting broader policy shifts toward gender equality in the armed forces.^[27]^[28] In 2002, Captain Philippa Tattersall of the Adjutant General's Corps became the first woman to successfully complete the course, earning the coveted green beret after enduring its rigorous physical and tactical demands.^[29] This milestone occurred prior to the full opening of ground close combat roles to women in 2018, but it highlighted the course's availability to serving female personnel from non-Royal Marines units seeking commando qualification.^[30] By 2025, at least seven women had passed the AACC, demonstrating steady progress in female participation amid unchanged gender-neutral standards that apply the same physical benchmarks to all candidates regardless of sex.^[31] These standards emphasize combat effectiveness without differentiation, though the Ministry of Defence has implemented adapted medical support to address physiological differences, such as higher musculoskeletal injury risks for women during intense training—female recruits are approximately twice as likely to sustain such injuries as males.^[32] This includes enhanced monitoring for overuse injuries and provision of hygiene resources for menstrual management in field conditions, ensuring equitable access to the course while mitigating health disparities.^[32] Beyond gender, the AACC aligns with the UK armed forces' wider inclusivity initiatives, which promote ethnic diversity and mental health support to foster a representative force. Efforts include targeted recruitment from underrepresented ethnic minorities and anti-discrimination training to reduce barriers faced by personnel from diverse backgrounds, as evidenced by ongoing Ministry of Defence strategies to enhance belonging. Mental health provisions, such as access to specialized counseling tailored for high-stress environments like commando training, further support inclusivity by addressing the unique psychological impacts on women and ethnic minorities, including experiences of exclusion that can exacerbate stress.^[33] These measures culminate in the 2018 policy fully integrating women into all combat roles, including those requiring AACC completion, marking a comprehensive commitment to diversity across the services.^[30]

Recent Updates and Success Statistics

In 2025, the All Arms Commando Course (AACC) maintained its rigorous standards amid the broader Future Commando Force (FCF) reforms, which emphasize enhanced littoral maneuverability and technological integration across Royal Marines operations, without altering the course's core physical and tactical tests.^[34] Minor adaptations included increased emphasis on modern equipment familiarization, such as testing new kit during integrated training exercises, to align with FCF's focus on high-readiness commando roles.^[35] The Ministry of Defence confirmed that these updates did not lower entry or completion requirements, preserving the course's demanding nature for tri-service personnel.^[36] Success statistics for the AACC reflect its selectivity, with historical pass rates for Army participants improving from approximately 24% in 2018-2019 to over 40% in 2020-2021, attributed to enhanced preparation programs like the Commando Conditioning Course.^[37]^[38] The course runs three times annually at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, accommodating serving Navy, Army, and RAF personnel, though exact graduate numbers vary; recent cycles have seen completions by diverse groups, including international exchanges.^[1] In line with inclusivity efforts, seven women had successfully passed the AACC by 2025, highlighting sustained high standards without compromise.^[36]

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Jul 7, 2016 · A principal risk to women is musculoskeletal injuries. Female Army recruits are twice as likely to sustain an injury in training as men, and ...
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Mental health, ethnicity and the UK armed forces - ScienceDirect.com
This paper investigates discrimination and exclusion experienced by racial and ethnic minorities serving in UK armed forces and their impact on mental health ...Missing: inclusivity | Show results with:inclusivity
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Future Commando Force - Wikipedia
The Future Commando Force (FCF) is an in-progress (as of February 2022) modernisation programme and transformation of the role and operations of the Royal ...Missing: Arms Course
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Strike from the sea – developing the UK Commando Force
Jun 14, 2024 · Now comprising less than 6,000 regular personnel, the RM are a key part of the Royal Navy and deliver outputs to UK defence that are ...
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Royal Marines test new kit and commando skills during intensive ...
Aug 29, 2025 · Royal Marines faced down harsh mountain terrain to hone traditional commando skills and test new kit to its limits in the mountains of ...
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Royal Marines Commando Course standards still as high as ever ...
Apr 30, 2025 · While no woman has yet passed the Royal Marines Commando Course, seven women have succeeded in passing the 13-week All Arms Commando Course, ...
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The Commandos, mental mutiny and mindset | BPS
Jun 22, 2021 · Does imagery enhance resilience and soldier success on the All-Arms Commando Course? Jonathan Rhodes and his team have been finding out.<|control11|><|separator|>
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Imagery Training: helping soldiers find their grit
In 2018-19, the number of Army recruits passing the All-Arms Commando Course (AACC) and achieving the green beret was on average 24%. With success ...Missing: graduates per