Labour MP and Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns, has rejected online speculation that the standards required to earn the Royal Marines Green Beret are being lowered, confirming that the elite Commando Course remains unchanged, according to a statement posted to social media.
“I am tracking some noise on social media about changing standards required to achieve the Green Beret,” Carns wrote. “I know the dedication, drive and grit required to complete the arduous Commando tests… I speak from experience. I have completed the Commando course not once, but twice; first as a Marine and then again as a Young Officer.”
He continued: “I therefore want to be very clear that the standards expected to pass the Royal Marines Commando Course have not, and will not change.”
The Royal Marines Commando Course is regarded as one of the most demanding military training programmes in the world, designed to test physical endurance, mental resilience, and tactical skill. Successful completion earns the right to wear the Green Beret—an emblem of elite status in the British Armed Forces.
Carns added: “An issue close to every Royal Marines’ heart, and something I track very closely.”
Alistair Carns served in the Royal Marines from 1999 to 2024, rising through the ranks to colonel before entering politics. He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Cross for gallantry during multiple tours of Afghanistan, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2022.
After resigning his commission to stand in the 2024 general election, he re-enlisted as a Royal Marines reservist in November 2024. In 2025, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for further operational service.
I am tracking some noise on social media about changing standards required to achieve the Green Beret.
I know the dedication, drive and grit required to complete the arduous Commando tests… I speak from experience. I have completed the Commando course not once, but twice;… pic.twitter.com/x1hfK5chh0
— Al Carns (@AlistairCarns) April 29, 2025
Google pay 92 every hour my last check was 8400 working 10 hours per week on the web. My more youthful sibling companion has been averaging 18k throughout recent months and he works around 24 hours per week. I cannot accept how simple it was once I attempted it out.This is my main thing……….,.,.,.. WORKSTAR1.COM
Lol. Obviously not the real CR. 🙄
Did his time, moved on to Poole, promoted, resigned commission, became an MP, rejoined the Reserves! Probably the most experienced minister regarding the military there is! However, there have been rumblings that the RM basic course may reduce a by a number of weeks, possibly to save cash and to push the numbers up! Anyone heard anything about this? Cheers.
Basically the training teams are under huge pressure to let certain things go when it comes to female entrants progressing through the training process. The wider picture is there is financial pressure to reduce training time, which will also generally increase the pass rate. They are 100% trying to lower standards but this was happening under the Tories and has been in train for several years.
Unfortunately, all this publicity will do is reduce the numbers wanting to join as those who want to are motivated by the very toughness of the challenge and the current Bootnecks see the slide to lower standards. Retention has been an increasing problem for the best Amphibious force pound for pound on the planet and this is having an increasing impact on our Special Forces who recruit heavily from the Corps.
All this to save a few quid and for a here today and gone tomorrow politician to have his mugshot with a woman Commando.
In wartime these things matter and a good example is how the Navy has allowed female sailors to join who patently could not complete the damage control course. With large crews you may have had the luxury of choosing your damage control party but in a lean manned vessel that is not realistic. Ships and sailors would be lost because of these decisions, whilst those who push some of this agenda will be tucked up safely at home.
Rant over.
Yes they going to take 4 weeks off it from 32 down to 28 the tests will allways be the same and in my mind shortening the time frame again as it has been this before will not devolve the course it will still be a minority of dedicated young men and who knows if we get another female will get the right to wear the CGB
Google pay 92 every hour my last check was 8400 working 10 hours per week on the web. My more youthful sibling companion has been averaging 18k throughout recent months and he works around 24 hours per week. I cannot accept how simple it was once I attempted it out.This is my main thing……….,.,.,.. rb.gy/tzkwnx