Potential Royal Marine Course The Potential Royal Marines Course , often abbreviated to PRMC , is the Royal Marines selection course for Potential Recruits . The course is held at CTCRM , and is designed to assess a candidate ' s suitability for entry into the Royal Marines . The course is composed of four Physical Assessments : A 3 mile run , Gym Test 1 , the Bottomfield and a 2 . 5 mile section of the Endurance Course , which includes a 0 . 5 mile ' hare and hounds ' chase , involving the remaining PRMC candidates to keep up with the PTI . The course lasts for a total of 3 days . Day 1 . On the first day of the PRMC , potential recruits begin their assessments at 6am . They undertake the 3 Mile Run and Gym Test 1 . The three mile run consists of a 1 . 5 miles out run as a squad followed by 1 . 5 mile back individual best effort . The 1 . 5 miles out is done in 12 . 5 mins followed by a best effort run back in under 10 . 5 minutes . However , candidates should aim for a return time of around 9 minutes to improve their chances of passing . After Gym test 1 there is a short swimming assessment . Participants will be asked to swim the perimeter of the pool breaststroke unaided after jumping off of a diving board . They will also have to get out of the pool unaided ( without using the ladders ) It ' s not a test but participants who are deemed a weak swimmer will have to take extra swimming sessions if they make it to recruit training . Day 2 . The second day is a test of mental strength , physical endurance , stamina and determination . Both physical assessments are done wearing a combat jacket , combat trousers , a rugby shirt and boots . The first assessment of the day is the high obstacle course , the deathslide and the assault course , followed by the Endurance Course in the afternoon . After completing the death - slide , a thorough warm - up begins consisting of sprints to obstacles , burpees , squat thrusts and star jump s , crawling uphill through wet mud on the " take cover " commands and pyramid exercises such as ( press - up s , sit up s , and squat thrust s ) . Candidates then have to demonstrate confidence at height by completing the high - ropes obstacles , before being shown and practicing how to complete obstacles on the bottom field assault course 2 - 3 obstacles at a time . Candidates are timed around the obstacle course in a best effort attempt . Throughout this morning , the expression " You ' re only as strong as your weakest man " is very much in force , meaning there are consequences for the entire squad if a few candidates do not do as told . Also , anybody lagging in particular will be penalized . After a grueling morning , the afternoon is spent on the " Endurance Course . " The first part of this consists of a 2 . 5 mile obstacle route across the rough and hilly terrain of Woodbury Common in boots and combat clothing . Obstacles include pools and muddy tunnels , some of which are completely underwater , making clothing heavy and ensuring candidates are cold and wet from the outset . The training team then take the candidates on a run across Woodbury Common that includes frequent hill - sprints , press - ups and tuck jumps . Some ' determination ' tests along the way include carrying other candidates up hills and crawling through the streams and mud pools which frequent the area . All that has to be shown here is determination by sticking the course out and not stopping or walking . After the 2 . 5 mile obstacle course there is a 4 mile run back to CTC , any candidates who fall or finish behind the last instructor will be failed . Immediately after the course returns to CTC they collect their bergans which had been prepared the previous night and travel to either Woodbury Common or a flat section of the Bottom Field where they spend the rest of that day and night on a fieldcraft exercise . Here the candidates have to cook their own meals from a 24hour ration pack and pitch their own bivouacs . They will also do a ' cognitive ability ' test which consists of stripping then assembling an L85A2 assault rifle , to be done in a time limit . Potential recruits will also take turns taking sentry , with 2 man teams patrolling the perimeter for 30 minutes , at the end of which they will be relieved by the next pair of candidates . Day 3 . Reveille is called at 0500 , with candidates repacking their bergans and marching back to their accommodation at approx . 0545 . They then commence cleaning accommodation and returning equipment and clothing to the storeroom . You will also be told whether or not you have been successful on the course . Once a candidate has successfully passed the PRMC , he will be issued with a pair of boots and socks . They will then be entitled to join a recruit troop for Royal Marines recruit training . A " PRMC pass " certificate is also given . The PRMC often changes and as of now activities are carried out in a different order than shown . The PRMC is designed to challenge everyone regardless of their abilities and fitness . To this end it will always remain flexible . The training team are looking for candidates to show determination and the will to succeed .