Commando School

Storyline

Behind the scenes of one of the most arduous basic military training programmes in the world. Each episode focuses on a cross-section of trainees that are either struggling or excelling at the physical and mental challenges the training presents.

Episodes

Season 1

8 Episodes • Aired 2014

No overview available for this season.

45 min

The Shock of Capture

Jul 14, 2014

This first episode follows 56 new recruits through this so-called 'shock of capture'. The recruits spend these opening weeks living in a 60-bed dorm where their every waking hour is controlled by their drill instructor, Corporal 'Froggy' Chauffour.

45 min

Quick Fire

Jul 21, 2014

The raw recruits take the next step on their training and there are challenging new lessons at every turn. If they can make it through the next three weeks, their families will get invited down to witness their progress and they'll get to go home for the first time since training began.

45 min

The Gym Test

Jul 28, 2014

Six weeks into their training, the marine recruits face their first pass-or-fail test. They must complete a tough series of physical challenges in the gym, culminating in three staggeringly high rope climbs. If they fail to complete it they'll have to leave their troop.

45 min

Crash Week

Aug 04, 2014

The troop 174 recruits reach the challenging halfway point in training. The second half of the course includes more challenging exercises to prepare the recruits for frontline fighting, but this is traditionally a point when many recruits leave the troop, either through failure or giving up.

45 min

Phase Two

Aug 11, 2014

As training progresses, exercises start to imitate life at war, and the nature of the job begins to worry some of the recruits of Troop 174.

45 min

Fight or Flight

Aug 18, 2014

As training progresses, more and more recruits start to struggle with the tough demands placed upon them.

45 min

The Commando Tests

Aug 25, 2014

The recruits are within touching distance of their green berets, but first they must face Lympstone's ultimate challenge - the famous commando tests - four gruelling physical exercises attempted over five consecutive days. The members of 169 troop are a tight-knit group who have pushed through 30 weeks of training together. They're desperate to finish the course as one, but not everybody will make it

45 min

To Your Duties

Sep 01, 2014

As the recruits reach the end of training, thoughts turn to life beyond Lympstone. A familiar face, Corporal `Froggy' Chauffour, returns to prepare the troop for a final pass-out parade, and four contenders compete for the coveted King's Badge award, which the winner will carry with them throughout their career. Meanwhile, retiring Troop Commander `Ginge' Booth contemplates a future beyond the Royal Marines after 28 years of service.