AFTER completing 32 weeks of the toughest initial military training in the world, a Redbourn man has now received his coveted Green Beret.

Mark Dawson, 21, a former pupil of Sir John Lawes School in Harpenden, became a British Royal Marines Command after passing out at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon, with 138 Troop on August 3.

Mark, who has now joined 43 Commando Royal Marines based in Scotland, said: “Anything is achievable if you are mentally strong, it has been very hard but all worth it when you are presented with your Green Beret.”

The distinctive hallmark of a Royal Marines Commando is the Green Beret, which indicates to others that the wearer has undergone gruelling and physically demanding tests of endurance, by displaying the Commando qualities of unselfishness, cheerfulness under adversity, courage, determination and high professional standards.

The Royal Marines form 3 Commando Brigade, which is a core component of the United Kingdom’s Joint Rapid Reaction Force. This combined with the fleet of Amphibious Ships ensures that the Royal Marines play a major part in safeguarding the United Kingdom’s interests at home and abroad.