Friday 15 November 2024

The Address by His Majesty King Charles III, Our Captain General Το 362 Troop, The King's Squad, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines

Friday 15 November 2024

Ladies, Gentlemen and Royal Marines of 362 Troop, The King's Squad. It has been a remarkable eightyfive years since my grandfather, King George VI, presented the King's Badge to the best recruit in the King's Squad, and I am so very pleased and proud to be able to do the same here today, and in this, the 360th birthday year of the Royal Marines. As a celebration of this most momentous anniversary, I am delighted to announce that forthwith the Royal Marines Sword of Honour will be called The King's Sword, and the Royal Marine of the Year will be renamed The King's Royal Marine of the Year.

As history has demonstrated, the Royal Marines have continued to remain at the very heart of our Nation's defence, standing steadfast at the vanguard of change. Today marks not just the end of your rigorous Commando training, with which I am all too familiar! culminating in the presentation of your Green Berets, but also the beginning of your service in one of the most formidable and revered forces in the world.

From amphibious operations to extreme climates, vou are joining a specialist Service that has long been devoted to preserving and pioneering our Nation's military strength, alongside our allies and partners at home and abroad. It is this operational excellence, underpinned by your unique skillset and training, which will ensure that all of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and freedom, both now and in the future.

As your Captain General, I can only express my pride in each and every one of you, together with my admiration for passing such a demanding course. Above all, I wish you every possible success and good fortune as you embark on your future service to our Nation, during which I feel sure you will have a 'hoofing' good time in your respective units! We are fortunate indeed to be able to rely on you as well as on those families here today who so loyally support you.

Per Mare, Per Terram

His Majesty The King's Visit

by Maj O Frost RV, Adjutant CTCRM

'Adjutant, we have got a visit coming up. The King, our Captain General, will be visiting the Royal Marines and CGRM has asked CTCRM to host the visit. This will be the first time a reigning monarch has visited CTCRM since 1998, and 85 years since a King's Badge was presented by a reigning monarch. I want to go big; You'll be leading with it... happy?'

Stunned silence from me. I surprised myself by managing not to crop my wet.

'Ideal, thank you, that is all, close the door on your way out.' The Commandant said as he waved me out of his office. I think I mumbled something about it being an honour to be given the opportunity and shuffled out of the room in a mild daze.

The Captain General with the Officers and SNCOs of CTCRM

The Captain General takes the Royal Salute

Three weeks into the job as Adjutant at CTCRM and that was the (gen) gist of the conversation I had with Col I C Catton RM, the Commandant. I felt the weight of the event immediately, but I was also slightly baffled as to how an event like this would be run to achieve the maximum success. That initial conversation happened in April, and the adage of no plan survives contact couldn’t be truer. I submitted outline proposals but fairly early on in the planning stage, CTCRM was overtaken by events and His Majesty postponed the visit, seeking to reschedule in 2025. The plans were shelved, and they slowly gathered dust over the summer as I focused on important things, such as knot tying and extra drill.