Specialist Qualifications

Having gained a few years experience as a General Duties Rifleman (GD) within their RMR Units. Marines, subject to suitability, will then be given the opportunity to attend Specialist Courses and gain a Specialist Qualification (SQ).

RMR Units have the responsibility of providing a pool of suitably trained volunteers for certain specialisation in order to augment the regular Corps if required. These specialisations are Landing Craft Coxswains, Assault Engineers, Heavy Weapons (Mortars) and Swimmer Canoeists. In addition here are many other specialisations open to RMR ranks.

Additional Qualifications

In addition to the Specialist Qualifications on offer, ranks are able to attend specific courses to gain a number of Additional Qualifications (AdQuals) to increase their employability with the Corps. Having gained certain AdQuals, ranks can join specialist organisations within the RMR. For example, a rank qualified as a Recce Leader would be in a position to join the RMR Brigade Patrol Troop.

The majority of courses are abridged versions of those undertaken by regulars, courses usually last two to four weeks. Four-week courses are divided up into separate two-week packages. As reservists progress through the ranks in the RMR, they can attend further courses in their chosen specialisation that are of a more advanced nature (e.g.. LC3 - Marine; LC2 - Corporal; LC1 - Sergeant). However, many reservists are given the opportunity to attend the full courses undertaken by regulars if they are able to make the time available.

Reservists continue to develop and practise their chosen specialisation or AdQual within their RMR Units. In addition members of the RMR are encouraged to work, exercise and operate with their specialist counterparts within the regular Corps whenever possible. There are constant opportunities for Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) for specialists within the Regular Corps.