Introduction

The U.S. Army Rangers and the British Royal Marines are two of the most elite special operations forces globally. Each has its rigorous training programs designed to push the physical and mental limits of its personnel. Despite the differences in nationality and origin, there have been instances of these units crossing paths, with some Rangers attempting the Royal Marines Commando Course and vice versa. This article explores these encounters and their significance.

U.S. Rangers Attempting the Royal Marines Commando Course

Some U.S. Army personnel, particularly those in special operations, have sought to challenge themselves by attempting the Royal Marines Commando Course. This course is renowned for its rigorous physical and mental demands, including extensive field training and endurance tests. CSM Larry Allen of the 75th Ranger Regiment gained notoriety for his efforts, as he successfully passed the SAS selection process and spent three years embedded with B Squadron Mountain Troop. While he did not complete the full Commando Course, his experiences highlight the high standards and demanding nature of such training.

These attempts by U.S. Rangers to undertake the Royal Marines Commando Course are indicative of the mutual respect and willingness to share unique tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) between the two units. The goal is to build and sustain relationships that can enhance operational effectiveness.

Royal Marines in U.S. Ranger School

A reciprocal trend can be observed with Royal Marines also participating in U.S. Ranger School. This course places a strong emphasis on small unit tactics, leadership, and survival skills across various environments. One notable example is a former Royal Marine who moved to America and joined the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in the unit and participating in Ranger School. This individual, who served in the Falklands early in his career, later contributed to the Rangers' mission.

The decision to participate in these specialized courses is driven by a desire to enhance personal capabilities and gain mutual benefit for their respective units. Both courses emphasize physical fitness, mental resilience, and leadership, making them appealing for soldiers aiming to reach the pinnacle of their profession.

Implications and Considerations

While there are clear benefits to these exchanges, practical considerations highlight the reasons behind such decisions. These exchanges are aimed at operators with significant levels of expertise and experience. Units tend to focus on sharing unique TTPs and building relationships rather than attending point-of-entry courses that might expose personnel to high injury risk with little gain.

Operators are typically senior tactical leaders carrying injuries and unlikely to have multiple SOF selection events ahead of them. Most human beings have only 2-3 selection opportunities before their body starts breaking down. The emphasis is on spending the remaining usable body miles on operations and enjoying family life post-service rather than another challenging yet unnecessary training event.

While there are exceptions, these are often due to exchanges between dissimilar units where an operator is an unknown quantity. The primary goal remains fostering a higher degree of interoperability and understanding between these elite units.