Generally speaking peple in this part of the country is quite used to a certain level of antics from various UK MIL organisations, and accept it. (Most people understad the importance their presence had during the cold war, and still has today. After all, the wast majority behave. And there is naturally a quite substantial economic footprint from the annual training as well....)

No one is too bothered about a barfight now and then if it's among themselfs, but this latest one kind of crossed a line. :ugh:

Steven Preece - you are beyond the Pale, you may have served but I think we could have easily done without you.

Not in this case as they were not Royal Marines, although they are still entitled to wear a green beret as pointed out.

Army and Navy personnel who have passed the all arms course are entitled to wear the green beret, though.

Regarding Steve Preece, not only has he managed to get the wrong end of the stick by referring to these guys as 'Royal' (a general term for Royal Marines) when they aren't (they are 59 Commando Royal Engineers).

He has also managed to make his usual standard of post which is designed to cause strong discussion and will end up as argument and also manage to list his books that he has written.

He's well known on RM forums, some blokes like him some don't. I don't have much of an opinion as I have not read his books but just beware that he may well provoke strong thoughts within his posts but he does not speak for current or ex Royal Marines as a whole.

I wish this thread had been put to death at the start. It was, seemingly, news, but it has descended into farce and a low standard of rhetoric. It is now closed before it can descend even further. It certainly does PPRuNe no favours in staying and encouraging more bile.

As an ex WO I say these guys are an absolute disgrace and they can take that disgrace into the pit they now deserve to dwell for at least 28 days. Perhaps their WO will be ensuring it happens!