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The Daily Insight Hub

Is being a Royal Marine hard?

Author

Jackson Reed

Updated on January 14, 2026

Joining the Royal Marines is extremely difficult, both mentally and physically. The recruitment team are looking for certain individuals for this elite force, so to be successful you will need to determined and be able to maintain exceptionally high levels of fitness.

Is being a Royal Marine dangerous?

The Royal Marines describe themselves as ‘the world’s most elite amphibious fighting force’. Part of the Royal Navy, the force is trained to respond rapidly to international crisis situations. They’re also trained to be deadly.

Do the Royal Marines pay well?

The starting salary for a Royal Marine is £14,700 during basic training. After completing 32 weeks training, this rises to £20,000. Salaries increase as you could up the ranks. Potential earnings can reach £48,000 as Warrant Officer 1.

What type of person joins the Royal Marines?

Some roles have stricter nationality and residency requirements than others for security reasons, but in general you can join the Royal Marines if you are: A national of the United Kingdom or Ireland. A Commonwealth citizen applying from inside their country must be aged 18 or over.

Are Royal Marines trained to kill?

Royal Marines as well as US Marines are trained to win the battle. It is an attitude that is impregnated into their mind from the first day of boot camp. They’re not. They’re trained to obey the Laws of Armed Conflict just like everyone else in the British armed forces.

Is Royal Marine training the hardest in the world?

Originally Answered: How hard is basic training for a British Royal Marine? Well it’s recognised as the longest and hardest in NATO. Unofficially it’s probably the toughest in the world given that NATO includes some of the (arguably) best trained militaries in the world.

How long do Royal Marines serve?

Duration of terms of enlistment —(1) A person may be enlisted in the Royal Marines for a term beginning with the date of his attestation in the Royal Marines and ending 18 years after that date or on the date of his 40th birthday, whichever is the later.

How much do the SAS get paid?

SAS soldiers’ pay ranges from less than £25,000 a year to around £80,000, depending on their skills and rank. This compares with a basic £13,000 for privates in other regiments.

How long do Royal Marines serve for?

Do Royal Marines get deployed often?

Help at hand during deployment Members of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines deploy more frequently than personnel in other services. These deployments can be a difficult time not only for serving personnel, but for the families they leave behind.