The Royal Navy has sparked controversy by renaming several Royal Marine training exercises deemed “too sexual and aggressive”.
The decision affects exercises at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, where over 1,000 recruits are trained annually.
The ultra-tough course “Direct Action” is now being referred to as “Dragon Warrior”, according to The Sun.
Base capture test “Violent Entry” was also changed to “Green Salamander” and the exercise formerly known as “Final Thrust” has been renamed “Commando Forge”.
Former instructors and free speech advocates have argued that the changes are unnecessary and potentially detrimental to the preparation of military personnel for real-world combat situations.
A former instructor at the Lympstone base said: “The woke police have nailed us — and it’s ridiculous.
“We’re preparing young men and women to go to war and what we do is violent and aggressive. It’s amazing that military people have the time to worry about stupid issues like this.”
The Free Speech Union also weighed in, describing the renaming as “typical of the woke double-think that has infected our Armed Forces”.
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The Royal Marines Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon.
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“Next they’ll be warning Marine Commandoes to avoid ‘micro-aggressions,” the group added.
In response to the criticism, a Royal Navy spokesman said: “All aspects of training exercises are regularly adapted and updated, including to align with standard naming protocols.”
The Royal Navy’s decision to rename training exercises is part of a broader trend across the UK’s Armed Forces to adopt more inclusive language.
Earlier this year, Royal Navy bosses replaced the term “seaman” with “seafarer” to be more inclusive.
Armed Forces personnel from 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines conduct beach landing training at Tregantle Fort
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The Royal Air Force separately decided to use “aviator” rather than “airman” or “airwoman”.
Despite the controversy surrounding language changes, the Royal Marines continued to demonstrate their operational effectiveness as members of the UK Commando Force participated in Exercise Ssang Yong on the Korean Peninsula for the second consecutive year.
In an update, the Royal Marine revealed that a Strike Team of 12 commandos from 40 Commando’s Alpha Company took part in the exercise near Pohang, South Korea.
The group conducted covert raiding, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions alongside US Marines and Republic of Korea Marines Corps.
Major Hugo Grant, commanding Alpha Company, said: “We participated in an immensely successful joint package ranging from aircraft control to a surveillance and reconnaissance mission. The company demonstrated once again that the UK Commando Force is able to deploy and work with partners, anywhere in the world.”
Source Agencies
