The Royal Marines are known for their tough training and lethal skills, and few would attempt to go through any of the challenges that they have so expertly taken on. Bear Grylls recently tried his hand at a couple of ice-breaking drills when the Royal Marines trained at Skjold.

Photo credit: royalnavy.mod.uk

Grylls is an honorary colonel with the military outfit and was thrilled to be a part of the exercises.

“It’s always inspiring to spend time with the Commandos—seeing them demonstrate their unique winter survival combat skill set in such challenging conditions is a reminder of what heroes they are. For a young Marine, the Arctic is such an amazing experience, and if they can operate here then they can operate anywhere,” he said of the experience.

“Even though the conditions are tough, the bootneck sense of humour is always so strong with smiles all round even after our ice drills all together. For me it’s a humbling reminder of why the Royal Marines are so special,” he added.

The Marines are fine-tuning their skills in Arctic warfare in Norway, as they train for different exercises with other NATO allies. The outfit is known for its prowess at handling extreme environments, including the icy hell that is the Arctic Circle. Imagine being stuck in rigorous, limit-testing conditions where the sun doesn’t rise for two months, and temperatures can fall as low as -35°C or more.

This isn’t just a one off for the bootnecks, given that the Marines actually do this every year! The exercise consists of over 35,000 soldiers from 28 different countries.

Speaking about the exercise, Lance Corporal Jack Cooper of 40 Commando said: “This is my fourth Norway. Just surviving here presents unique challenges, but if you can operate here, you can operate anywhere.“

Another Marine, 19-year-old Mark Clarke, said: “Norway is an incredibly harsh environment, but with a few specialist skills and doing the basics well, sustaining and operating out here is a lot more manageable.”

This is one of the toughest events in the world, but it surprises no one that the Royal Marines did it all with smiles on their faces. Let’s continue to support our soldiers, but from a nice, warm distance. We’re happy to live vicariously through them!