Factors affecting performance

Preparation and Planning

This lesson is a classroom / theory-based Physical Education lesson.

Episodes 2, 3 and 4 require students to complete a Worksheet so you should ensure that a suitable number of copies are prepared in advance of the lesson.

About the MOD Topic

Royal Marines cold weather training:
In the early 1970's, during the "Cold War", the Royal Marines began to specialise in Arctic Warfare in order to help defend Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation's (NATO) Northern flank in North Norway. For several decades 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines has developed expertise in extreme cold weather regions, and elements of the brigade deploy to Norway annually for a three-month training period to enhance its unique extreme cold weather warfare skills.

To be able to fully integrate with their regular counterparts, members of the Royal Marine Reserve units (RMR) are encouraged to undergo Cold Weather Warfare Training (CWWT). For two weeks every second year, all five of the RMR units deploy RMR ranks to conduct centralised CWWT in Norway or on some occasions in the Western USA with the United States Marine Corps.

CWWT for the RMR is broken into 3 stages:
- Novice Ski and Survival Course (NSSC)
- Winter Warfare Course (WWC)
- Continuation Training.

Each stage is a two week training package, RMR ranks must successfully complete each course to progress to the next stage on a subsequent deployment. On completion of the Winter Warfare Course, RMR ranks are considered Arctic Warfare Trained (AWT) and may undergo continuation training with the RMR or the Corps.

Novice Ski and Survival Course (NSSC):
The purpose of this course is to introduce Marines to living and moving in arctic conditions in order that they can "Survive to fight, instead of merely fighting to survive". Novices are taught the dangers of frostbite and hypothermia, how to live and survive in the arctic and the use of 4 man tents and snow holes for shelter. In addition, novices are taught how to travel across the terrain on cross country skis and snowshoes.

Winter Warfare Course (WWC):
This course is designed to develop personal techniques to fight effectively in arctic conditions. Marines learn how to use and maintain their weapons and equipment. They are also introduced to and exercised in the different tactics and camouflage required in arctic operations. Finally, they take part in a tactical exercise, carrying out patrols, ambushes and attacks, in many cases navigating at night, travelling on skis, while carrying up to 100lbs of equipment that is required to fight and survive in the arctic.

Continuation Training:
After their basic AWT, marines then practice and hone their arctic warfare skills on subsequent annual deployments with the RMR or the Corps. Marines with suitable experience in arctic warfare then have the opportunity to attend the four week Military Ski Instructor (MSI) course, which provides the qualifications required to instruct Marines on the NSSC and WWC.

Royal Marines Jungle Training:
The jungle is an extremely challenging environment to survive in let alone fight in, so it is critical that training is thorough and realistic. Jungle Warfare Instructors (JWIs) and Jungle Leaders (JLs) teach jungle training.

The Brunei (in SE Asia) jungle is ideal for training purposes. Firstly it is primary jungle with huge trees and thick canopy, and secondly the Jungle Warfare Wing is based there, supporting all training. Troops complete an arduous training programme which includes basic survival, health and hygiene and navigation. This enables them not only to survive, but also to fight.

Examples of jungle training include exercises in how to acclimatise and cope with the heat and humidity of the tropics. Classroom lectures would be conducted teaching troops the theory of operating in the jungle. Troops also head into the deep jungle where important skills such as signals, health and hygiene maintenance and casualty evacuation are practised. These skills are significantly different from the skills learnt in temperate UK. Most importantly navigational skills have to be fine-tuned because it is impossible to navigate in the jungle without high navigational competence. Basic soldiering skills are also improved so that the troops are prepared to fight in the enclosed jungle environment.

Desert Training:
During the course of their long history, the Royal Marines have been required to operate in various desert and arid regions throughout the world. Since the end of the Second World War the Royal Marines have carried out a wide variety of desert operations, from the mountainous Radfan district of Aden in the 1960's, Op HAVEN in Northern Iraq in 1991 and recent operations within Afghanistan in 2002.
In order to preserve their hard won desert warfare skills, the Royal Marines carry out Desert Warfare Training and Exercises on a regular basis, throughout the world. The training and exercises also normally involve some form of joint training with the host nation's forces. In recent years the Royal Marines have been involved in exercises in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, USA and Oman.

Further Opportunities for Learning

If any students are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh award they could be asked to write a short outline of the conditions they will face during their expedition and how they expect to prepare for these conditions.

Ask students to research the training schedules for members of the different Armed Services. Do these schedules differ depending on the member's role within the Armed Forces?

Ask students to read the attached news article – Panthers sprint to victory. Once they have read the article ask students to write a brief for the Pink Panthers, advising them on the measures they should take before starting their challenge.

Student worksheet answers

Download the teachers notes PDF to access the answers for this lesson.