The Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) is the volunteer reserve force used to augment the regular Royal Marines. The RMR consists of some 750 trained ranks distributed among the four units within the UK. About 10 percent of the force are working with the Regular Corps on long-term attachments in all of the Royal Marines regular units. All the volunteers within the RMR must pass through the same rigorous commando course as the regulars. The former may be civilians with no previous military experience or may be former regular Royal Marines.
Mission
The mission of the RMR is to act as a general reserve to the Royal Marines command and to promote a nationwide link between the military and civilian community. The official mission statement:
Reinforce the Royal Marines when required, with individuals and sub-units worldwide. Promote a nationwide link between the Royal Marines and civilian communities. Provide a nationwide infrastructure for strengthening and replacing the regular forces in times of national emergency.
History
The RMR can trace their roots back to the Royal Marines Forces Volunteer Reserve (RMFVR) formed in the Cities of London and Glasgow under the Royal Marines Act 1948. The RMFVR were officially formed on the 5 November 1948, at a ceremonial parade on the Honourable Artillery Company's Artillery Ground the same place the Royal Marines were formed on 28 October 1664.
In the beginning, Reservists were chiefly former hostilities only (HO) personnel. They were mainly, but not solely, Royal Marines who had gained experience in World War II and trained in order to support the Corps against the threat from the Soviet Bloc. However, today the majority of Reservists have no previous military experience. Their transition from civilian to Marine, is therefore more challenging. Moreover, 21st century threats compel the training to be more comprehensive to equip the Marine with a variety of skills. The Reserves have adapted to these changes and remains flexible.
Structure
There are currently four Royal Marines Reserve units within the UK. These units are located throughout the country situated within or near major cities. Each of the main units acts as Headquarters for a number of smaller satellite detachments that spread out into the surrounding area to recruit locally in nearby population centers. As of the Summer 2013 following the restructuring (which saw the closure/amalgamation of certain RMR units and detachments), the current organisation of the RMR is as follows:
Royal Marines Reserve Bristol, at Dorset House, Bristol
Lympstone Detachment, at the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone
Plymouth Detachment, at Walcheren Building, HMNB Devonport
Poole Detachment, at RM Poole, Poole
Cardiff Detachment, at , Cardiff
Royal Marines Reserve City of London, at Royal Marine Barracks, Wandsworth
Cambridge Detachment, in Coldham, Cambridge
Marlow Detachment, Old Horns Lane, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Portsmouth Detachment, at , HMNB Portsmouth
Royal Marines Reserve Merseyside, at , Liverpool
Birmingham Detachment, at , Birmingham
Leeds Detachment, at Carlton Barracks, Leeds
Manchester Detachment, at Haldane Barracks, Salford
Nottingham Detachment, at , Nottingham
Royal Marines Reserve Scotland, at HMS Caledonia, Rosyth Dockyard
Aberdeen Detachment, at Gordon Barracks, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen
Dundee Detachment, at in Dundee
Edinburgh Detachment, in Colinton, Edinburgh
Glasgow Detachment, at , Glasgow
Belfast Detachment, at Palace Barracks, Belfast
Newcastle upon Tyne Detachment, at Anzio House, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne
(Previously Tyne used to be its own RMR unit until its amalgamation with RMR Scotland.)
Recruit training
Over a period of 12–15 months, RMR recruits are required to attend training at their units, one evening a week and usually two weekends a month. In addition, when not training with the RMR they must work on their physical fitness in their own time.
Phase 1
Phase 1 lasts for at least 6 months and is the beginning of RMR basic training. It is designed to introduce recruits to the rudiments of individual skills and fieldcraft. Recruits must complete 6 Weekend training periods in addition to training for two hours for one evening a week. On completion of their phase 1 training, recruits are required to attend a 2-week course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM). Recruits wear the blue beret with red badge backing issued to RM personnel who have not passed the commando course.