Commando Training Centre Royal Marines Commando Training Centre Royal Marines ( CTCRM ) is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines of the British Armed Forces . It is situated near the villages of Lympstone and Exton , between the city of Exeter , and the town of Exmouth in Devon . The centre delivers new entry training to recruits and officers , as well as specialist trade training and command course for non - commissioned officer s ( NCO ) , and officers of the Royal Marines , Royal Marines Reserve , and Special Forces snipers . The Royal Marines is the only element of the armed forces to train officers and other ranks at the same location . Organisation . CTCRM is under the full command of Commander in Chief Fleet , and responsible for providing Commando trained officers and other ranks for the front line . CTC is overseen by the Commandant CTCRM , a Brigadier , Royal Marines , on behalf of the Commandant General Royal Marines , who is supported by a Deputy Commandant , the Commanding Officer . The centre is structured with three training wings supported by a Training Support Department which provides the training infrastructure . Each wing is commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel , reporting to the Director of Training for the standard of training output . Courses . Candidates for the RM are required to attend the Potential Royal Marine Course ( PRMC ) , held at CTCRM , in addition to academic , medical and interview assessments for candidates to the British armed forces . PRMC lasts 3 days and assesses physical ability and intellectual capacity to undertake the recruit training . Officer candidates must undertake a similar selection called a POC ( Potential Officers Course ) , which is more physically demanding and also has tests of leadership and command plus the Admiralty Interview Board . New entry training for RM Other Ranks is conducted over thirty - two weeks , the longest infantry training course in NATO , and is undertaken at CTC , Woodbury Common and Dartmoor . The course culminates in the commando tests , undertaken over three days , leading to the award of the green beret , the distinguishing mark of a Commando . New entry officer training is undertaken over fifteen months , with Young Officers completing a similar package of military training leading to the commando tests coupled with an element of command and management training leading to commissioning . The performance targets for the commando tests are more demanding than those for other ranks . On completion of training new trained ranks and officers will normally be posted to a rifle company in one of the three Commando formations of the RM , later electing to specialise in one of the trades available . A number of trade specialisation courses are conducted at CTCRM , with others being undertaken elsewhere . Command courses are undertaken by candidates for promotion , encompassing the military and leadership skills required at the higher rank as well as the management skills required for supervisory roles . CTCRM delivers the All Arms Commando Course , providing commando training for non - RM : Army , Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel posted to commandos or elements of 3 Commando Brigade . Lympstone Commando . CTCRM is served by Lympstone Commando railway station on the " Avocet Line " , only open to those having business at the base .