Norway: The Royal Marines’ Rite of Passage | ACCESS

The Royal Marines Commandos are the UK Armed Forces’ experts at fighting in extreme environments. From the deserts of Afghanistan to the Jungles of Belize - they have operated in every corner of the world. However, no environment is more challenging than the frozen Mountains and fjords of Northern Norway. A deployment there is seen as a rite of passage in the Royal Marines; the making of a Bootneck. Ex-Royal Marines Commando, Ben Cook and Ex-Pathfinder, Johnny Neil, from BFBS Creative joined the Royal Marines as they prepared for the NATO Exercise COLD RESPONSE. Norway is where The Royal Marines hone their unique soldiering skills in temperatures that plummet to 35 °C below zero. They witnessed Commandos practice amphibious assaults, skiing techniques and live-fire skills – including the use of Javelin missiles. The UK Commandos and their Norwegian counterparts have historical roots reaching the Second World War. As the war between Russia and Ukraine escalates, a strong NATO presence in t