With the authenticity of Jarhead and Bravo Two Zero and the straight-up narrative of Contact Charlie, this military memoir describes what really goes on in the training of an elite soldier and his tours in Afghanistan. In 2004, Jake Olafsen signed up for the Royal Marines Commandos. He left everything behind at home in Canada on the basis of a spur-of-the-moment decision. The Royal Marines have the toughest and longest basic training of any infantry unit in the world. For Olafson, this meant eight months of wet and cold in England and Wales. It was hell, but he came out with the four Commando qualities that the corps look for: courage, determination, unselfishness, cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Olafsen went on to serve for four years as a Commando in the Royal Marines, an elite military unit based in the United Kingdom. He went to Afghanistan twice: in 2006, he went to confront the Taliban in Helmand Province for six months, and in 2007, he was sent to do it all over again. His story is filled with good experiences, like the sense of accomplishment, patriotism, and camaraderie, and the opportunity to travel the world. But all good things come at a price. The sacrifices he made for the Corps are significant; he has killed the enemy and he has buried his friends. And in telling his story, Olafsen hopes that he can make sense of it all. This is an honest, gutsy story about the mud and the blood, the triumphs and the tragedies. From the Hardcover edition.

One of the most prestigious and versatile units of the British armed forces, the Royal Marine Commandos were a specialized fighting force, serving in many theaters, including the Korean War (1950-1953), the Malayan Emergency (1947-1960), East Africa, Cyprus, Suez, Northern Ireland and the Faulklands, and performing a number of roles from counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency to conventional combined arms fighting. During the period covered in this account, conscription to the Royal Marines came to an end and the unit became a professional and dedicated force. The author provides a detailed look at the service life of a Royal Marine Commando in a time of great change, exploring the developments that took place in recruitment, training, equipment, weaponry, dress and tactical deployment in the post-World War II period. The elite nature of the Royal Marines is maintained by the toughness of the Commando entry course at Lympstone in Devon - where successful entrants are awarded the distinctive green Commando beret. One major aspect of the course is that squads should work together, supporting the weakest members - a key ethos that is explored in this fascinating story.

'TOUGH, TOUCHING... IT'S A RIGHT GOOD READ' - DAILY TELEGRAPHAt 16, Mark Time wants to become either a geologist or a Royal Marines Commando. So which does he choose? Despite his love of basalt, he chooses the career that teaches him how to kill... and sh*t in plastic bags.Knowing his weak body will have to shape up to complete thirty weeks of commando training, Mark prepares for the Royal Marines by sleeping in his shed wearing only plastic bags. He braves pain by ordering his mate to attack him while trapped in a sleeping bag. He starves himself in a stupid urban survival exercise, turning down the offer of crispy pancakes from his bewildered mother.He is ready.Some might say for the nut house...Often hilarious and yet shockingly sobering, this is the true story of a boy who joins one of the world's most elite military units with only naivety and incompetence equalling his will to succeed.'A cover to cover laughathon' - SOLDIER MAGAZINE

The Royal Marines were originally formed under the auspices of the Royal Navy to guard its sailing ships from harm. They are proud of their history and origins but the Navy heritage is fading. John Parker charts how the units have moved away from their nautical beginnings to develop, over time, into the most versatile force in the British military, containing one of their most elite brigades. The Royal Marines Commandos have, over the past few years, developed into the premier fighting organisation on land, sea and air. This history deals with events associated with the Royal Marines and subsequently in their commando role, starring in all major conflicts including Italy, Malaysia, the Borneo confrontation with Indonesia, and more recently Afghanistan.

The gritty tale of a team of Royal Marine Commandos on a special mission in Iraq. The story begins with the last training mission at sea with a nuclear submarine, the last party, and the last girl. The CIA and M16 are watching a terrorist training cell preparing child suicide bombers we watch the transformation from innocent child to unwitting murderer.We follow the almost comical problems that the team of chosen men faces to prepare to go to war.Once in theater the team insert from a helicopter into a black lake at night in an unknown and hostile environment. After laying in wait they find and intercept the terrorists, a fire fight ensues, they are surprised to find the children and Mike is shot whilst trying to protect them.Mike watches as he is left behind by his comrades, the enemy know he is alive and been left for dead.Alone and deserted Mike goes through many emotions as he struggles to stay focused on surviving, he is finally tracked down and cornered by his adversaries, now outgunned and surrounded Mike has to fight for his life, a fight to the death is certain.Will they all return safely as a unit as Mike had promised and celebrate together with a 'Breakfast at Babs'Based on a real mission, many of the anecdotes are based on fact or near misses, a must read for anyone interested in modern Military fiction or fact!

Essential skills for outdoor adventure from the Royal Marines Learn to stay alive with the Royal Marines. Want to know what to do if you met a bear in the woods, how to light a fire in the rain or what to do in shark-infested waters? Get the answers to these and many more questions with the ultimate guide to survival techniques as experienced by the Royal Marines. Pick up survival basics, from staying fit, to planning your expedition and packing essential kit. Discover what to do on a trail, from navigating and using pack animals to hiking or even skiing to your destination. You'll pick up wilderness techniques and learn to make shelters, find water, spot, catch and cook wild food. And when there's an emergency you'll be glad you learned how to mount a rescue, use essential first aid techniques and even how to get found. Learn survival techniques from the men who've been there, done it and survived. And take on the most testing challenges nature can throw at you.