U.S. Marine Tries the Royal Marines PJFT+: Could I Be a Royal Marine Commando?

[@mr31337]

You did the test as honestly & with as much integrity as possible. Not only that, but you were humble & respectful. 👍

[@davedevries5866]

As a Former RM I really enjoyed this video, brings back many memories (some I have paid good money to psychologists to forget 😉😉👍). I am in my 50’s now and much more ‘comfortably cuddly’ now but massively proud of what I achieved. You did very well and glad to see your ego didn’t get in the way.👍👍

[@NickVarn]

Thank you so much! Thank you for serving and watching. I have so much respect for the high standards the Royal Marines hold themselves to

[@jamiemarsden3823]

it's not ego that get's in the way it's lack of appetite to succeed EGO isn't ever on the menu when it comes to PT :)

[@jamiemarsden3823]

pushups for breakfast, situps for dinner, pullups for tea, squats for supper we eat shit and sleep PT and when the lights are out and you sleep like a little baby you dream of PT haha :)

[@YessicaPerez-31]

Oh my God! I am an 18-year old *girl.* I am currently considering to join the marines, but don’t know if it’s worth the suffering. Someone PLEASE help! BTW thank you very much for your service.

[@davedevries5866]

@@YessicaPerez-31 If you really want to join then by all means DO IT. However….don’t do it to be the first female Marine because when things are really bad and you are cold, wet, hungry and pissed off with life, that ‘I want to be the first..’ will NOT carry you though. You need to want that Green Lid with everything you have, you have trained hard for it, you really want it and THAT will get you though. You need to train your head as well as your body. I would NOT suggest pack-marching really heavy loads etc as that will potentially cause you injury or start an injury that will show its ugly head during training. I believe that the last female that joined was a very fit Olympian BUT the weights being carried during training caused her some injuries. If you can find her details then maybe reach out to her and ask her advice as there will be no one better to get advice from than her at the moment. There are Females that have completed the ‘All Arms Commando Course’ and if you don’t know what that is then start doing more research. Again reach out to them somehow as again they will be a great fountain of knowledge for you. All of us ‘Old and Bold’ may know what it is like to do the hard yards and earn the Green Lid BUT we don’t know what is will be like for a female to do it. Do I think a female can do it…YES I do; but remember 99% do not complete the training and that is just related to males so it’s hard for a reason. Train your body and your mind. Develop resilience and gather as much knowledge as you can, Mental toughness can get you through when Physical toughness doesn’t seem to be able to. Just reading your comment “is it worth the suffering” indicates you have quite a way to go to develop the mental toughness needed to pass. Good luck.👍

[@MuscleWorld]

Thanks for asking me to be involved in this video with you👊 All the best with your channel!

[@NickVarn]

Thanks for your input! I appreciate it!

[@cheekychap8047]

I passed this test. You just need to practice more sit ups n u would of passed. The push ups also in ur case as i was only failing on the last 10 sit ups

[@NickVarn]

@@cheekychap8047 indeed! I kept up with push-ups (barely) though all 3 rounds but those sit ups crushed me.

[@parkin8595]

You didn’t fail my friend, your integrity is true to the end. You’d pass with a few tweaks in fitness training I’m sure. So refreshing to see the good, bad and ugly. You kept great form during your exercises. Appreciate your honesty. I will be subscribing.

[@NickVarn]

Thank you! I do my best and like to safely push my limits. I appreciate you watching and giving feedback.

[@markjames4951]

Royal Marines a state of Mind! This is not just a test of physical ability but also a test of the qualities and values required. You will get a debrief and told what you need to improve on within a certain time eg 6months. The tests of you the man will be of the values of Self Discipline, Humility, Integrity, Excellence plus the qualities they are looking for Courage, Determination, Unselfishness, Cheerfulness in adversity. Will you come back, will you improve, did you argue about standards or did you accept what was being fairly said about your test. Not getting a strong pass first time round can actually show a lot more about you the man wanting to get to the start of training more than just doing a number of exercises.I would say that you the man have shown a lot of the qualities and values if not the perfect form for the exercise ( as yet ). Come back in 6 months with an improvement and it will show a lot more about your desire and commitment to do things their way.

[@hogwash9140]

I joined the Corps over 40 years ago aged 17. All we had to do to turn up at Lympstone was pass a medical, a written exam and an interview with 2 naval CPO's. Needless to say, a bit of a shock to the system upon starting training, with a high drop out rate. The PJT and PRMC have given potential recruits a taste of the realities of training and less drop outs early on in training. However, only 15 of my original Training Troop, out of an original intake of about 50, completed training, which still seems to be the type of success rate today.

[@Tango27800]

Hog Wash, Opps the reason that we still have the same numbers failing, is the human body can only take so much, accidents and injuries are all part of the robustness of the Commando course. Ginge PMPT

[@paulwilliams2663]

Bullshit, I was 35 yrs and that's completely untrue

[@stevenartmann2642]

A very good friend of mine joined the RM at 17, didn't see him for a year, the difference was insane, fit doesn't come close to defining what those guys are!

[@mello8701]

passed this today got my date to go down to lympston, very proud

[@stephenfinn3937]

It’s been a year since u posted how did u get on hopefully ur a fully fledged RM

[@Nitro-ph2pe]

I did mine in July last year got a strong pass on both the circuit and pull ups - I’d say it’s a 6/7 out of 10. You definitely could have got a strong pass it’s just a case of doing a couple more times and getting used to the stimulus of it. Your burpees at the end were lacking, you just have to be strict with yourself and ensure your form doesn’t completely deteriorate on the final round. Don’t think you finished the press ups on the 3rd round either but then again the more you do it the better you become. Very good effort from yourself though. Maybe try the Gym tests of royal marine training where you do a 1.5 mile run into the press ups, sit ups and pull up test in the same session.

[@NickVarn]

Nice work! Yeah I think after 2-3 more tries and some more training I could pass. My core was toast and I also failed the press ups on the final round. I think now that I’m a few days removed I’d rate it a 6/10. I’ve done much harder physical challenges and I actually plan to do the PRMC runs, VO2 max, and bleep tests in a future video. Stay tuned!

[@mamabear4293]

You can do it Nick!!!! I have faith in you and I know with persistence you have got what it takes to be a RM!!! Go Nick Go!!!🗣👏🙌❤️🧿🧿🧿

[@twigman8806]

Passed mine a while back. Unreal when you get to Lympstone. Some beastings male the PJFT look like a dream

[@mufferm5980]

It’s a hard test, good first attempt, a few points on form, burpees-when you squat down make sure your bum touches your heels, sit ups-elbows make contact with the ground when lying back, push ups-elbows tucked in tight,plank-look slightly ahead and pull ups-overhand grip, so thumb is NOT on underside of the bar🇬🇧

[@NickVarn]

Thank you!

[@NickVarn]

I wish I had the wooden bars they use in Europe but it’s rare to see them over here.

[@barnesrm76]

Technically, thumb under bar IS correct hand position for pull-ups. Just sayin...

[@vanders1200]

Great effort mate, i dont want to offend anyone but its awesome to see an american in "none ego mode" , straight to the point and really good video. im sure there are other tests the brits wouldn't be as good in also , i remember being out there a few years ago on holiday in florida and heat is just crazy, training in that would be a killer! fair play bud .

[@NickVarn]

I appreciate that! Yeah I know I’m not the strongest, fastest, or fittest so there’s no point in pretending. I did my best and it kicked my butt.

[@Rae-yv7md]

You can do it Nick! Keep going mate.

[@NickVarn]

Thanks! I might try this one again one day.

[@arryjones1527]

Something that’s never shown or explained, at CTCRM they give you a warm up before any test, and that warm up is usually much harder than the test, so you’re dead before you start.

[@NickVarn]

I did a short warm up that’s on the Royal Marines page, it’s tiring lol

[@olliepowell4920]

Pretty sure for the pjft u don’t go to CTCRM but conduct it in a Nuffield gym

[@arryjones1527]

@@olliepowell4920 Yeah I’m talking about the proper test.

[@AG-ux5kg]

I think there's a big difference between "trying" and doing it for real. You have a complete different mindset when it's for real, more focused etc kudos for making an honest video

[@loveacuppaoftea3665]

Good effect! Its hard because it was your first try, like with any training the more you do the better you get, thats why we train :) Take care. I will subscribe

[@NickVarn]

I appreciate that! Yeah I really didn’t love training up for this one lol. Everything is so strict. But maybe, with enough persuasion, I’ll give it another try in the future.

[@mikesmith6316]

Great video enjoyed it. In my day it was 60 press ups in a minute, 82 sit ups in a 1 min 30 sec , 45 burpees in min followed by 19 pull ups with a 300 metre sprint at the end. What they did not tell you was the warm up could last for 1 hour 30 min ! Very different dynamics in these tests, but great effort trying Nick , really well done great effort 👍🏻

[@NickVarn]

Thanks so much. Royal Marines are incredibly fit

[@billmmckelvie5188]

This why a U.S General when he heard of our Defence cuts spoke out against and complimented us by saying we Brits always punch above our weight. I'd like to see you do the South African Special Forces training used by the 4th & 5th Recce battalion.

[@NickVarn]

Do you have a good link? I’ll certainly look into it.

[@dannybartlett4225]

great video buddy and good to see how you was able to convert from US side and Uk side well done from both guys awesome. By round 2 i was starting to breath heavy like i was doing it memory scaring lol Just one thing i will say you did not fail brothe,r the fact you gave it a go means your a winner in my book and guys train for a solid year before going on this test i would bet my house and my miss if you wanted it you would achieve it your a winner well done onto the next..

[@NickVarn]

You’re too kind! Thank you for watching and thank you for the encouragement.

[@brad7037]

Passed mine a couple of weeks back on my second attempt out of the three attempts you get. One of the hardest things i've done but i know trainings going to be much harder. Onto the next step of the application before even attempting training Called CPC (candidate preparation course) a three day course where you do even more fitness tests and get beasted which is meant to be even harder so looking forward to that. Wish me luck!

[@NickVarn]

Nice work and good luck my friend!

[@GoreTexTillEndEx]

This is all new to me. I joined back in 2007, and my PJFT consisted of going to a local gym near the careers office (in Norwich for me) and running 1.5 miles in 9.30 on a treadmill. A few weeks after was the PRMC at CTC which again, from what I’ve seen and heard there have been huge changes to that also. Good luck to you.

[@dmgroberts5471]

As a British Citizen, and having just seen how hard even the entry test is, I'm extremely proud of lads like you protecting our island.

[@Outagetme23]

The PJFT is extremely easy compared to the selection week or actual 36 weeks training.

[@NickVarn]

I believe it

[@sammni]

Well done mate….. And with abit of focused work you could qualify as a Royal Marine They’re a specialised force it’s meant to be extremely tough

[@ewanbradley8513]

I am joining the RM and I got this test on my second try, only just though I'm going to go for four sets so when it comes to the real thing three will feel easy.

[@NickVarn]

That’s smart! Good luck

[@ewanbradley8513]

@@NickVarn thanks mate, Ur defo strong enough to do it, you've got a lot more muscle than me, I think it's just technique and repetion, on the sit-ups if you actively tense Ur abs you can almost bounce back up

[@Ozsquid721-gu9gf]

Good effort I’m 16 and I did my PJFT+ today, I failed on the last set of sit ups but I’m not giving up and doing it again in the next few weeks.

[@NickVarn]

Last set of sit ups got me too! You got this friend!!

[@Ozsquid721-gu9gf]

@@dps2646I finished it with a strong pass! I’ve got my CPC on Monday, buzzing but shitting it!

[@jamesdaniel4706]

My PRMC was a little different 20 years ago as it was all speed rather than in rythm. As many reps as you can do in certain time periods. Ive not tried the latter. But good effort Marine. Get that mental strength going 💪

[@YARROWS9]

Ask any Royal Marine who has served with US Marines. They love it, especially when they all tie one on.🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@NickVarn]

I’ve never had the honor but I bet it’s a blast!

[@NMCD0892]

Aspiring officers looking to join the Royal Marines have to achieve at least 4 round on the PJFT I believe as well. Nails bunch of lads.

[@NickVarn]

Yeah that’s rough

[@scifi3702]

deserve more than 47 likes m8. Great effort

[@NickVarn]

That’s very kind! I’m trying to make more entertaining and educational content for everyone!

[@criixus3628]

Great effort mate 🇬🇧🇺🇸. Just subscribed 👍👍

[@NickVarn]

Thanks a lot!

[@an0mal0us]

Bloody good effort mate

[@NickVarn]

Thank you my friend. I did my best

[@Flyfishthebordersandbeyond]

Well done for your honesty

[@danielgathogo1892]

Great work indeed I keep my fitness level with those RMC circuit and by the way there's the officer's option that's 4 sets of pjft ...man try out ...made me feel like am carrying the whole globe 😃 but it's real cool ,Am serving in The Kenyan APS...SF.

[@Dd-fb2tj]

goid job, though the vpjft is just a test that would allow you to be eligible for SELECTION....passing that allows you get onto training

[@NickVarn]

Yes I think my explanation isn’t very clear. Though I understand the process. Thank you for watching!

[@Dd-fb2tj]

@@NickVarn no bother man, subscribed

[@barrytaggart2805]

Amazing to think that you get sent home if you fail this basic test, before even you start commando training.

[@batteriesforeverything7112]

As an ex Royal Navy boy, that little jaunt should on a 1 to 10 basis be rated at about a 5. It was good to see you give it a go though, good effort

[@NickVarn]

It wasn’t necessary a full body killer, but my core wasn’t having it. Definitely went to muscle failure because of the tempo. It was different and I loved the challenge.

[@jacobreisser8034]

This Royal Marine in the red T shirt used to work at Dartmoor prison.

[@oddjobkia]

I believe it was Chris thrall who interviewed a USMC PT instructor who went on a cross military training and done the Commando tests part of the course... he lost 2 stone throughout the 3 months he was there... I type sitting here weighing way to much and eating an ice cream getting tired just looking at you do these

[@NickVarn]

I can imagine. These type of trainings don’t promote a lot of muscle gain.

[@grahamarnhem8659]

Probably good enough to earn a position on p.r.m.c. any potential candidates for p.r.m.c remember you will be thrashed before each test. If training for the course do a run and sprints for an hour then replicate the tests to give a better insight. They don't care about numbers and don't care how many they fail.

[@NickVarn]

This was tough even fully rested

[@grahamarnhem8659]

@@NickVarn it was a good effort. You could easily pass with a little more time.p.r.m.c which follows is a shock for people if they haven't prepared. U.s.m.c candidates do get places on all arms commando courses.

[@davedevries5866]

I joined the Royal Marines a long time ago and one of my memories of the PRMC and actual training was how stuffed i was just after the warm up……… 👍👍

[@conallgallacher1782]

What do you mean by thrashed?

[@grahamarnhem8659]

@@conallgallacher1782 non stop pt.rapidly going from sprints to calisthenics to the point of exhaustion or collapse. It is both physiological and psychological and all tests are carried out after a thrashing never when a recruit is fresh.punishment thrashing are also administered which are known as beastings. It is all used as a tool to create a person that is not phased by anything. Hope that answers your question.

[@fredholmes6284]

At least ya honest.. Well done lad.. On ya pull-up's the royals use a beam not a bar 👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@NickVarn]

I know. It’s hard to find those in the states. Though I used the beam a ton in Norway. I love it! Thanks!

[@fredholmes6284]

@@NickVarn once again well done Nick

[@billmmckelvie5188]

Please note well done on your effort. I'd like to see you acheive this and pass the PJFT even if it takes a year or more to get to that standard as your nearly there!

[@NickVarn]

Thanks a lot! I’ve got a bunch more fitness challenges in store for the future. Most of them require training differently than I did for the PJFT. However maybe I’ll revisit it in the future. Stay tuned!

[@fredholmes6284]

One thing you must do next time on the pull-ups is the royals do it on a horizontal beam not a bar.. Much different than a bar.. Well done tho 👍🏻

[@ImYumina]

This was a very great video to see as soon I will be trying to join the RM, you honestly did very well and I will be subscribing!

[@NickVarn]

Thanks for watching! Good luck to you in your future service. You have to have a never quit attitude because this is very demanding.

[@fedup3449]

A lot of the entry level test standard has to do with the role the particular military unit is designed to play. The UK does not have the population to deliver a vast number of troops on ground so has developed a more elite approach. The US has developed the role of global police force with high numbers of boots on ground. You can't invade a country whose oil you want to steal if you've only got 5,000 guys who can do the sit-ups. You have to lower the bar to get the numbers up. Simple and nothing to do with superiority in any way.

[@NickVarn]

That’s true you have to specialize when you’re a smaller force. I’d say the Royal Marines are definitely more specialized.

[@robertthirtle9630]

I had to do this a month ago they have added 5 pull ups at the end to the beep

[@NickVarn]

I did those! Should be the last minute or so of the video. I was tuckered out by that point and I think I only did 6-7.

[@duncanemery6264]

You didnt fail mate ya just havent passed yet, yad get this in a few weeks

[@NickVarn]

I believe it! Thanks for watching!

[@krisplant436]

Hoofing effort! Give it another go in a new video.

[@NickVarn]

I hated this one. So tough to keep up with the beeps!

[@pauljermyn5909]

You could try the old french foreign legion fitness test, 45 seconds exercise 45 seconds rest, overhand pull ups over 10, incline sit ups over 30, standing squats with a jump as you come up over 30, 6 metre rope climb using only arms twice, 90 metre run with 30 kilo sandbag.

[@NickVarn]

I threw up just reading this

[@pauljermyn5909]

Or the old quarterly french foreign legion paratrooper test TAP, 8km run in full battle dress, helmet, webbing, rifle (no body armour in those days) 30kg backpack in under 43 minutes, half road, half cross country.

[@warshipsdd-2142]

You didn't pass then, worth another go after you get the the fitness level you are working to attain. Still remember so good liberty with our RM cousins when I was in the Corps. They hoist some serious pints (Imp. Measure :) and with was fun keeping. SF.

[@jamiemarsden3823]

well done for giving it a shot but, it's not about what you did right or wrong it's all about mentality and how much you are willing to put in to it. (do you really want it are you truly hungry?!) there's a saying we brits use > PT FOR BREAKFAST, PT FOR LUNCH, PT FOR SUPPER, WE EAT SHIT AND BREATHE (PT) IT'S IN OUR BLOOD IT'S WHO WE ARE IT'S NOT JUST OUR SOLDIERS THAT LIVE BY THIS BUT ALL BRITS WHETHER ITS THE GYM, SPORTS, ETC ETC WE EVEN TREAT DRINKING LIKE IT'S A PT SESH XD :)

[@Boskasper]

Next goal

[@bengreen6980]

Good effort mate, some slight tweaks to your technique and keep practising.

[@NickVarn]

Thanks a bunch! Yeah my form got worse as I got tired.

[@bengreen6980]

@@NickVarn Haha yeah form goes out the window when breathing takes priority!

[@nathanammon4021]

I think the Royal Marines have many more evolutions in training probably should be compared with marine recon or MARSOC

[@NickVarn]

Yes they’re way more specialized than the standard marine corps. This would be the equivalent of the Marine Corps Initial Strength Test (IST)

[@nathanammon4021]

@@NickVarn I’m a huge military science nerd I love listening militarily or police berate each other over who’s tougher. My dad writes police procedure policy now it seems to me this stuff isn’t an exact science but an art form put together by years of gathered data. In my opinion the standard army infantry or marine infantry might not have the hardest initial training but some of their deployments seem to be particularly long being asked to do more with way less. There are plenty of incredible stories of small companies of marines taking on thousands of NVA in Vietnam while taking hardly any casualties

[@markrowbotham222]

try Royal Marines 30 miler

[@NickVarn]

No thank you lol

[@captainplatinum]

Well done but remember . That is just to be considered to start training !!

[@NickVarn]

Understood. That’s why I said that in my video.

[@captainplatinum]

@@NickVarn reminder for all watching , keep up the good work 👍

[@aaronfendley4962]

Try the RMFA that’s the next fittest test

[@NickVarn]

What’s that?

[@aaronfendley4962]

@@NickVarn it’s the Royal Marines fitness assessment. You have to do it on the pre selection course called CPC before you start training. Everting is done to the bleep again. 1. Bleep test best effort minimum of level 10.8 2. Push ups minimum of 40 max 60 3. Sit ups minimum 60 max 85. 4. Pull-ups min 4 max 16. Have about a 2 minute break between exercises

[@connorwhittall5208]

Did my PJFT today, strong pass!

[@NickVarn]

Good work!

[@typhoon2827]

Intro: 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👈🏻 no shit, mate.

[@NickVarn]

Hahaha it’s not a pleasant experience.

[@PatriotHippy0321]

What’s the Jarhead’s MOS?

[@NickVarn]

POG-ass career planner.

[@aaronfendley4962]

Fitness

[@NickVarn]

Yes

[@barnesrm76]

Come on young devil...

[@NickVarn]

I am weakness

[@barnesrm76]

@@NickVarn respect bro for giving it a whirl and posting it. I'm gonna get some of this WO and see how I do. You looked strong going into that last round of situps tho. I didn't think you'd fail out. The pace is deceptive right? And I'm sure they're stringent about it. Gotta get that redemption man! Stay strong devil. Semper gumby and all that trash...

[@NickVarn]

@@barnesrm76 yeah I could definitely do all the reps in a short period if I could rest more than a few seconds between exercises. It’s a lot and it doesn’t slow down. Good luck to you!

[@jamesdunn19]

Passed first time 7/10

[@NickVarn]

Nice work!

[@alecbaker13]

Looks easy

[@gboy05]

keyboard warrior well done

[@alecbaker13]

@@gboy05 reminds me of a course i went through in middle school

[@gboy05]

@@alecbaker13 doubt it

[@alecbaker13]

@@gboy05 yeah you’re right it was elementary school. My mistake 😅

[@gboy05]

@@alecbaker13 doubt it

[@bootneck4828]

If you're a west coast marine hmu I'm a former Royal Marine I now live in Carlsbad

[@olliehain]

i atepted it at home but im to fat

[@NickVarn]

It’s no joke for anyone at any fitness level. Very tough

[@olliehain]

@@NickVarn thanks