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Other Commando Units
A US Navy Officer observes ship boarding drills performed by FPGRM
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM)
CTCRM, located at Lympstone, is situated on the river Exe midway between Exeter and Exmouth. As with any ‘specific to arm’ training establishment the primary role of Commando Training Centre is to deliver trained personnel fit for service within the units of 3 Commando Brigade and other Royal Marines units. It is also tasked to provide career courses which enable members of the Royal Marines to acquire the skills required for promotion.
1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1AGRM)
1 Assault Group Royal Marines is tasked with providing expertise in operations involving small boats. The Group provides 539 Assault Squadron with the training and skills required to fulfill its operational task. 1 AGRM is base at Royal Marines Poole in Dorset and has the following squadrons under command:
Fleet Protection Group Royal Marines (FPGRM)
The only operational Royal Marines unit outside 3 Commando Brigade, the Fleet Protection Group (formerly known as both Comacchio Company Royal Marines and Comacchio Group Royal Marines operates by way of the Commander Operations to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet. The Groups primary responsibility is the provision of military support to undertake the final denial of access to nuclear weapons as well as worldwide responsibility of a wide range of tasks in support of the Royal Navy.
• 4, 6 and 9 Assault Squadrons. These Squadrons are tasked with embarking landing craft and their crews onto the assault ships HMS Bulwark (4 Asslt Sqn), HMS Albion (6 Asslt Sqn) and HMS Ocean (9 Asslt Sqn). When embarked onto the assault ships landing craft are used to provide the ship to shore capability required to convey personnel and vehicles to designated coastal landing areas on exercise and operations.
• 10 Landing Craft Training Squadron. The Training Squadron has responsibility for delivering basic and continuation training for those selected for employment with landing craft and other small boats in service with the Royal Marines.
• 11 Amphibious Test and Trials Squadron RM. As its title suggests, the Squadron is responsible for all amphibious trials and testing of equipment used by the Royal Marines. The Squadron is based at Instow, Devon.
Royal Marines Band Service
The Royal Marine Band Service can trace its history back to 1767 when Royal Marines Divisional Bands were formed at Chatham, Plymouth, Portsmouth and Deal. Currently Royal Marines Bands are to be found in Portsmouth, Plymouth, Scotland, the Commando Training Centre and the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. The role of The Band Service is to provide musical support from State and Ceremonial occasions to orchestras and dance bands for both military and, where deemed appropriate, civilian functions. The Royal Marines School of Music is based at Whale Island, Portsmouth and has approximately 400 men and women within its ranks.
Royal Marines Reserve (RMR)
Members of The Royal Marines Reserve are trained to the same exacting standards as their regular Royal Marines counterparts. It is not necessary for volunteers who wish to serve with the RMR to have had any previous military experience, although many amongst the RMR ranks have transferred from the Territorial Army or were former members of the regular Royal Marines. There are five Royal Marines Reserve Centre’s in the United Kingdom; RMR’s London, Scotland, Bristol, Merseyside and Tyne. The Royal Marine Reserve is approximately 600 strong and is tasked with reinforcing the Royal Marines when required, with highly trained individuals and the provision of sub-units throughout the world.
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