The Royal Marines Reserve was created in 1948 and today consists of around 750 men who train to become Royal Marine Commandos in their spare time. The force has always been an elite and the combination of the physical and mental challenges of a marine with a full time civilian career is a difficult juggling act, but one that appeals to many. Today we are looking at a recruitment poster for the Royal Marine Commandos from the 1960s:

This thin card poster would have been displayed in recruitment offices and places where the Royal Marines thought they might attract suitable recruits. The poster emphasises certain aspects of the life of a Royal Marine that might prove attractive to an athletic young man- sport, physical fitness, foreign travel, diving, fighting in the Arctic etc:

From the printer’s information across the bottom we can see that this poster was produced in June of 1968:

A more recent RMR recruitment leaflet plays up the challenge that being a reserve marine gives to its members but still highlights the travel, sport and adventure aspects its 1960s equivelant did:

For most people, the demands of one job are enough. However, some of you need more of a challenge, and they don’t come much bigger than joining the Royal Marines Reserve.

The Royal Marines Reserve is a part-time force of civilian volunteers, who give the Royal Marines extra manpower in times of peace and humanitarian crisis or war. You’ll be trained to the same standards as the regular Royal Marines, have to pass the same commando tests and, of course, wear the same coveted green beret.

The obvious difference is that, as a Reservist, you combine service as a fully-trained Commando with your civilian career. It’s a unique way of life that attracts people from all backgrounds. But, the nature of commando training and service means we can’t just take anybody who fancies a
challenge. We, and you, have to be absolutely sure it’s the right thing for you and that you’re physically and mentally up to the job.

It’s a long, tough road to the green beret. But if you like the idea of travel, sport, adventure and, most importantly, the satisfaction of completing the world’s toughest military training and getting paid for it, this is where it begins.