Formed in April 2008,
24 Commando Engineer Regiment is a unit of the British Army's
Royal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. It provides combat engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces...
which supports 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. Expeditionary in nature, this elite fighting force is optimised as an Amphibious formation, with the unique ability to rapidly deploy around the World and project force without reliance on ports or
airfields. The regiment is one of three
British ArmyThe British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland and...
units attached to 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, the others being
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery29 Commando Regiment is the Commando-trained unit of the British Army's Royal Artillery. The regiment is under the operational control of 3 Commando Brigade providing artillery support and gunnery observation.- History :...
and
1st Battalion, The RiflesThe Rifles is a regiment of the British Army. It consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, making it the largest regiment in the infantry...
.
Based in
Chivenor, North DevonRoyal Marines Base Chivenor is a British military base used primarily by the Royal Marines. It is situated on the northern shore of the Taw estuary, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, on the North coast of Devon, England....
, 24 Commando Engineer Regiment is required to conduct operations across the spectrum of conflict in support of 3 Commando Brigade, meaning that each members must be trained in amphibious assaults, as well as know how to operate; in the jungle, across deserts, over mountainous terrain and under arctic conditions.
According to the British Army's website the manning of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment will not occur overnight and Full Operational Capability being unlikely to be achieved before 2011.
Formed in April 2008,
24 Commando Engineer Regiment is a unit of the British Army's
Royal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. It provides combat engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces...
which supports 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. Expeditionary in nature, this elite fighting force is optimised as an Amphibious formation, with the unique ability to rapidly deploy around the World and project force without reliance on ports or
airfields. The regiment is one of three
British ArmyThe British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England and Scotland and...
units attached to 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, the others being
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery29 Commando Regiment is the Commando-trained unit of the British Army's Royal Artillery. The regiment is under the operational control of 3 Commando Brigade providing artillery support and gunnery observation.- History :...
and
1st Battalion, The RiflesThe Rifles is a regiment of the British Army. It consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, making it the largest regiment in the infantry...
.
Location and Role
Based in
Chivenor, North DevonRoyal Marines Base Chivenor is a British military base used primarily by the Royal Marines. It is situated on the northern shore of the Taw estuary, adjacent to the South West Coast Path, on the North coast of Devon, England....
, 24 Commando Engineer Regiment is required to conduct operations across the spectrum of conflict in support of 3 Commando Brigade, meaning that each members must be trained in amphibious assaults, as well as know how to operate; in the jungle, across deserts, over mountainous terrain and under arctic conditions.
According to the British Army's website the manning of 24 Commando Engineer Regiment will not occur overnight and Full Operational Capability being unlikely to be achieved before 2011.
Organisation
With an establishment of 543 Officers and Soldiers the regiment comprises 3 Squadrons:
- 54 Commando Headquarters and Support Squadron,
- 56 Commando Field Squadron
- 59 Commando Field Squadron
The Commando Course
All individuals who volunteer to join the regiment have the opportunity to complete the 9 week
All Arms Commando CourseThe All Arms Commando Course lasts for 9 weeks and is run by the Royal Marines at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines , Lympstone. Members from any of the United Kingdom's Regular Armed Forces and overseas exchange personnel can attend in order to serve with 3 Commando Brigade...
, after receiving pre-course coaching to develop their strength and endurance. Progressive in nature, this pre-course conditioning package focuses upon developing the individual to undertake the arduous activities of the Commando course. The "train-in" not "select-out" ethos of the course, provides the individual with the best chance of success.
The Green Beret
The coveted Green Beret, the distinctive hallmark of Commando trained troops, is worn by the regiment, recognising those who have completed the gruelling and physically demanding tests of endurance, whilst displaying the Commando spirit. On passing the Commando course, other ranks (ORs) wear the Commando Green Beret with a blackened Royal Engineers cap badge, whilst officers wear the officers' flaming grenade cap badge with a green base material, sewn onto the Commando Green Beret.
Other Uniform Emblems
Both officers and ORs wear the Commando Dagger badge (a small red dagger on a dark blue background) on the upper left sleeve of both shirt and combat jacket, and the Royal Engineers stable belt is differentiated by a Commando Dagger emblem on the clasp. Additionally, the 3 Commando Brigade RM 'flash' is worn on the right arm of shirt and combat jacket - a black Commando Dagger on an olive green square. 'Army Commando' shoulder titles are also worn at the top of each sleeve when issued.
Pre-Existing Units
Prior to the formation of the regiment both 59 Independent Commando Squadron and 131 Independent Commando Squadron (Volunteers) provided support to 3 Commando Brigade.
59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers
59 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers is the commando-trained, regular, unit of the Corps. Soldiers are drawn from the regular units of the British Army's Corps of
Royal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. It provides combat engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces...
. The Squadron formed the core of 24 Commando Regiment and is currently based at Barnstaple (RMB Chivenor).
131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers (Volunteers)
131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers131 Independent Commando Squadron Royal Engineers, is a reserve unit of the British Territorial Army, affiliated to 24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers. It provides general engineering support to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and is the largest Territorial Army Commando unit...
(V) is the Territorial Army unit affiliated to 24 Commando Engineer Regiment.
Since 1978 the unit has been on the order of battle of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, providing combat engineer support to the Brigade. This role has seen the Squadron exercise worldwide, often sending small sub-units or individual soldiers to support the Brigade wherever it is training.
External links