40-42 or 45?

[James82ah]

Aside from the obvious "if" I can suceed and complete the entire entry and training process, I'm aware you are given a choice as to where you'd first choose to be posted. And that if the first choice is no go, they try hard to get you your second choice. For me, I'd first choose 45, and then 42, just personal reasons, but I certainly want to be in one of the Commando units Inc 40 if the first two are no gos. I just want to do GD. Can you be forced into, say, the Fleet protection RM or 29 ARTLLERY. Whilst I'm certain that both of these groups offer huge potential, and are of the utmost marine like top quality, I feel that I would feel somewhat cheated and dissapointed not to be allowed GD in 45,42 or 40. How much of achoice do you get? Are you interviewed by NCOs from you're selected unit to see if they want you, even though you've just passed out?

[faddius]

If you really want 45 (brr) as your first choice I'm sure they will accomodate you

Although it may sound like you have no choice when you are getting your draft, you do although it may be disguised as an order.?. Very sly. Have a thick neck and push for what you want although if you want 45 they probably will give it to you.

~James

[Sven]

or 29 ARTLLERY

I thaught 29 was a Army Commando ?
Talking of Army units, does anyone know if 20 Commando still exists? I haven`t heard anything about them in the news lately, but they still appear in the list on the Royal Marine page?

[voodoo sprout]

Does anyone know what you ahve to do to get into the FPGRM please? I've decided that's probably my first choice but have no idea what to do about it, any help would be much appreciated and rewarded with a shower of fluffy bunnies .

[barryc]

Just get through the training, stick in for your choice and hope for the best. If you stay in long enough you will probably get a time with most of the options. At the end of the day, the Corps is the Corps, individual drafting means all the Cdos are much of a muchness although any one unit may have a special spirit at some time or other e.g. 45 in Aden in the 60s. The guys you serve alongside in 40 you may well run into again in 42 or 45, particularly if you specialise into a sigs troop or support coy. It's a small world and a big family in the Corps, just get in there and enjoy the experience, it will be with you for life.


Barry

[El Prez]

29 Cdo Regt RA is a Royal Artillery unit attached to the RM. The personnel have all completed the All Arms Commando Course. The Corp has various Army ranks attached for specialised purposes, such as logistics, aircraft mechs. etc

[dan]

Wow! Three threads about the same topic running concurrently!

[James82ah]

Cheers guys. I'll bear it in mind if I get far enough to be choosing! I figured if I get in, I'll maybe stay in 8-12 years. I'd just like to do my GD in one of the Commando units, pref 45. Like someone said, I presume there is a certain "era" with which each unit gets to be the most "famous" for a while. Like Aden, and perhaps 45 in Afghanistan. My reasons for favouring 45 is simply that it was reading about the Royal Marines as a kid that's left me with my ambition, and since age 8, 45 has stuck in my mind. I wouldn't be upset if they wanted me in either 40 or 42 though. I reckon I'd be so baffled and relieved to have got through selection, I'd except a posting to the N. Pole!! I would be a tad dissapointed to end up working with the big guns though. I'm not a great artillery fan, but I suppose it's very important, and bloody usefull stuff. Since as someone pointed out, 29 is army commando, not RM, does that mean RMs couldn't be posted to them?

[El Prez]

Ref 29. They are Army Artillery ranks who have passed an abbreviated Commando course, called the All Arms Commando Course. They are then posted to 29, which is part of 3 Cdo Bde. read the literature, it's all in there about attached units. Take a few hours and skim through the previous pages in this forum, there's loads of input about the units.

[One N@tion]

Can some one tell me why the are called 40, 42, 45 commando ? Is it just a name or do the numbers mean some thing else. And can u join any one off them ? And are they different in any way ?? Any help would be great.

Cheers

[faddius]

Get a book on the History of the Commando formations from 1940 onward. It will explain it there.

[Twenty One]

What ever happened to 79 Miawand Battery and 145 Kirkee Battery of the Commando Gunners I can remember them being in support of us in the Radfan in the 60's.

[One N@tion]

Cheers faddius.

[Rotary Booty]

One N@tion

When the Commando Units were formed during WWII they allocated numbers to the Army Commandos from 1 to 39, and to the Royal Marines Commandos from 40 up-wards.

Ranks are posted to whichever unit the Corps sees fit, but you can volunteer for a particular unit and hope for the best.

45 Commando specialises in Arctic warfare, although all units are capable of serving 'up North'.

[Skiffle]

What ever happened to 79 Miawand Battery and 145 Kirkee Battery

79 (Kirkee) Bty still exist within 29 Cdo RA.

145 (Maiwand) Bty were replaced by 7 (sphinx) Bty in 1975, i dont know weather this was a dibandment, amalgamation or new formation.