Whistleblowers have alleged that the Royal Marines' gruelling commando training is being watered down under political pressure to admit more women, raising concerns among junior instructors. The training at Lympstone, near Exeter, is considered the toughest of any Nato infantry force, with standards dating back to the Second World War.
Nine women have passed a shortened ten-week 'all-arms commando test', but none has completed the full 32-week Royal Marines course. Only seven female applicants have attempted it, including former England rower Philippa Birch, who left in 2019 after an injury.
Royal Navy chiefs are understood to have faced pressure from civil servants to improve diversity figures. A senior officer who recently served at Lympstone said: 'The tests needed to pass the course and be granted the privilege to wear the green beret have not been diluted. But there is a lot of pressure to get a female to pass the course, and the Navy see it as some sort of crusade.'
Last month, Marine John Carr was detained by Ministry of Defence police after writing an open letter warning that 'training was being diluted to meet diversity targets', claiming it risked costing the life of a male marine. He alleged standards were being lowered for women, with some receiving 'unearned paper passes'.
The Ministry of Defence responded: 'Selection standards have not changed, and the same high standards apply to every recruit.' It added that the issue is subject to an ongoing investigation and declined further comment.
