‘Woke’ defence chiefs have ordered Royal Marines’ training exercises to be renamed because their aggressive and sexual connotations could offend recruits.
Long-established mission rehearsals such as ‘Final Thrust’ and ‘Violent Entry’ have been deemed inappropriate for millennials because of the potential innuendos.
So the manoeuvres, which could involve female personnel, have been rebranded as ‘Commando Forge’ and ‘Green Salmander’ respectively.
Even the seemingly generically named exercise ‘Direct Action’ has been rebranded as ‘Dragon Warrior’.
Last night, the Royal Navy insisted the new titles were ‘more professional’ and aligned better with names used by Britain’s strategic military partners.
Recruits undergoing training for the Royal Marines in Lympstone. Long-established mission rehearsals such as ‘Final Thrust’ and ‘Violent Entry’ have been deemed inappropriate for millennials because of the potential innuendos
Royal Marines in France for the 80th anniversary of D-day this year. UK commanders want to ensure a military career appeals to as broad a range of people as possible
The move follows the scrapping of gender-based titles such as ‘seaman’ and ‘airman’, which have been changed to ‘seafarer’ and ‘aviator’ by the Navy and RAF.
UK commanders want to ensure a military career appeals to as broad a range of people as possible.
But opponents of the move pointed out that the business for which Marines are trained – warfare – is inherently violent and aggressive, and no place for shrinking violets.
One military source described the change as unnecessary, saying: ‘I can’t recall anyone complaining about the names of these exercises before.
‘They were a bit of a joke perhaps, but hardly offensive or inappropriate to those taking part. I’m not sure the “woke brigade” should be directing these changes and reshaping our branding, as I don’t think they understand our culture.’
A Free Speech Union spokesman said it is typical of the ‘woke doublethink that has infected our Armed Forces.
‘Next they’ll be warning Marine Commandos to avoid “micro-aggressions”.’
The exercises take place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone, Devon. They predominantly involve recruits attempting to earn the Corps’ coveted green beret.
Last night, the Royal Navy said: ‘The Commando Force is a modern and professional employer. All aspects of training exercises are regularly adapted and updated, including to align with standard naming protocols.’
The Royal Marines at the Tower of London. One military source described the change as unnecessary, saying: ‘I can’t recall anyone complaining about the names of these exercises before’
Meanwhile, senior Army leaders are also ‘open to exploring fake fur alternatives’ to the traditional bearskin caps worn by the King’s Guard because their price has soared to more than £2,000 each.
A central feature of the King’s Guard uniform, the ceremonial caps are made from the waterproof fur of Canadian black bears.
But they are now 30 per cent more expensive than last year, according to figures obtained by animal welfare campaigners.
A Freedom of Information request by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) revealed each cap now costs the Government £2,040. More than £1 million has been spent on the caps over the last ten years, with 24 purchased last year alone.
Peta wants the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to consider faux fur for ethical reasons, but the group now argues there is a financial imperative too.
Meanwhile, senior Army leaders are also ‘open to exploring fake fur alternatives’ to the traditional bearskin caps worn by the King’s Guard because their price has soared to more than £2,000 each
The bearskin caps were first introduced following the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and were designed to make the soldiers appear taller and more intimidating when in combat.
Peta said it is ‘calling on the Ministry of Defence to stop wasting taxpayer pounds on caps made from slaughtered wildlife and switch to faux fur today.’
The MoD said the rise in costs were due to ‘a different contractual agreement’ for the caps, which are made from bears hunted in Canada.
An MoD spokesman said: ‘We are open to exploring faux fur alternatives if they pass the necessary requirements, including safety and durability considerations, though no alternative has met all those criteria to date.’
The MoD said PETA had in 2018 put forward a sample faux fur to an independent testing organisation, but ‘it showed unacceptable water penetration’.
