I was born in Norway but i see my self as British. I love that we have a close bond between us, which mostly came from WWII. There's a reason Norway gives the Christmas tree to Britain. Respect
That last guy to speak who spoke a lot on that vid. Classic elite British Forces dude. Calm and collected. Yet cold, brutal, and utterly lethal when called upon to be so. You can tell. You definitely wouldn't want to mess with him and his team.
One of Napoleon's Generals said that the British soldier was a very strange fellow, merciful to anyone who was wounded but totally merciless to anyone who wasn't.
@@jomaridelapaz3404 as an ex junglie I can say that the statement is correct if you can carry out drills in the arctic you can do it anyway ....that's from eating,drinking,fighting,surviving,maintaining and working with aircraft .
I have the greatest respect for this young American marine & his channel. The respect he shows for the British military is 1st class. I Hope both you and your family are doing well. Respect from Northern Ireland. 🇬🇧
I believe that UK forces still call it a Bergen in reference to the first time they came across this type of 'rucksack' by skiers around Bergen, Norway. It was originally a framed sack. I could be wrong, and there are plenty of arguments about it on the internet, but I seem to remember this from an old video about Royal Marines up in Norway.
Bear in mind; the SBS are trained BY Mountain Leaders on the RM Mountain Leaders cadre. Add to that the SAS Mountain Troop, and also the Australian and NZ SAS send elements of their soldiers on that course. On that series that others mention is here on YT, the SBS, SAS and NZSAS are all represented on it.
Bond Villain... Sir Christopher Lee (Francisco Scaramanga - The Man With The Golden Gun) joined the Finnish Army to fight in the Winter War back in 1939
Mountain Leader selection is covered extensively in a series called 'Royal Marines Behind the Lines' which is in several parts on UA-cam. It's quite old so some aspects may have changed, but is still an incredible insight.
I was in CHF as an aircraft engineer and our role was to support 3 Commando brigade and even we got trained by Mountain Leaders in Norway. Was the hardest course I did in my career.
Hear me out all the way here mate, as I know you are a great unbiased source. I left the Corp in 2006 after 7 years. I did 2 tours of Norway even although after the first I said never again. I sucked at skiing and I sweated HARD. (No big deal until you stop your ski march and settle down for the night and your clothes literally freeze on you!) Many units of many military's have conducted "artic warfare training". Let me tell you.... Canada in winter is not the same as Norway. In my time we saw temperatures (in celcius dont forget) get down to -50 with windchill factor! The Royal Marines strayed from bowing down to "training conditions" and as such, I remember on the final exercise, after several weeks, if not months in Norway, inwas aboard a Norwegian vessel deploying the MIB's and personnel for a beach recce (recon). This was the first time I'd heard of such an exercise being halted.... the guys on the MIB's were breaking waves. As those waves broke on the bow the water was turning to ice instantly and literally lacerating their faces! I cant even imagine how the greatest generation managed to fight in these conditions with far inferior kit and training. Really should make you think about what that generation was like!
If you havent seen the movie "the 12th man" i highly recommend it. Its a ww2 movie about a guy trying to survive the harsh of artic, while being chased by the germans.
The ice breaking drills are fascinating to experience. Your body just forgets how to breathe when the shock hits you and you have to really focus to do it manually. Not that bad if you know what to do and can control yourself, but if you can't...
The actual specialist in Arctic warfare within NATO is the COE-CWO. Both the Royal Marines and the US Marines follow the formal NATO education and training structure, and both are trained (or "forged", word used in video title) by specialist instructors and competence from COE-CWO in Norway. There is one Center Of Excellence Cold Weather Operations (COE-CWO) in NATO: it encompasses training areas (mainly sea/air/land in North Norway), infrastructure, manpower and knowledge drawn from all four services in the Norwegian Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force and Home Guard. Location: COE-CWO in Bodø, Norway, and the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare (NSWW) in Elverum, Norway. Expertise: develop and provide CWO competence to NATO member countries, focus on operations in the extreme cold, and collaborate with other institutions, for instance the Center of Excellence Mountain Warfare (COE-MW) in Slovenia. CWO Framework Nation (i.e. responsible): Norway. Two series of bi-annual, joint NATO winter exercises and repetitions in Norway are important elements of the program. These are named "Cold Response [even year]" and "Joint Viking [odd year]", alternately. Aim of exercises: retain and further enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high intensity warfighting in a challenging Arctic environment on the tactical level. Typically, 10,000-50,000 forces from most, or many, NATO member countries participate. NATO Centers Of Excellence info: www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_68372.htm NATO's COE Catalogue (2021): www.cmdrcoe.org/fls/pubs/2021_COE_CATALOGUE.pdf Interview of a Norwegian CWO instructor (explaining his teaching, and appreciation, of the US Marines and allied coop): ua-cam.com/video/uOTz5DVGiZMq/v-deo.html
@@vincenzocomments980 Yes, there is no doubt about the Canadian Arctic capacity, and I have respect for Canada. Of Canadian Arctic military activities I know about: the annual Operation Nanook, and units of the Canadian Rangers, the Alert station, to name some. One likely reason why NATO chose Norway for handling the COE-CWO is the large percentage of our national population that have chosen, most are born into, a life above the Arctic circle: around 10% of Norway’s population live in the Arctic (480,000 Norwegians) - comparatively, less than 0.5% of Canada’s population (150,000 Canadians, incl. Inuit natives) live in the Arctic while the large majority of Canadians live very close to the border near the USA lower 48. Another possible reason for the choice of COE-CWO is how the Arctic society in Norway is closely integrated, both the native Norse and the native Sámi descendants (both migrated here 9,000 years ago), as one and with nature. Historically, the Arctic Norwegian military, led by our excellent General Fleischer, fought the Nazi Gebirgsjäger alpine specialist troops, led by Germany’s General Dietl, for 62 days after the WW2 invasion during April-June 1940 (conditions: infantry and artillery winter warfare, solely in the roadless wilderness of the inland mountain ranges at 69th parallel North, thaw started late, after June 1). General Fleischer and his local soldiers were tough as nails and pushed the technically superior Germans back, almost over the border to Sweden. A proud legacy. Fast forward, to the Cold War Era: sharing land border with our neighbour Russia, tiny Norway (population 4 million) stationed most of its 165,000 conscript forces in the Arctic, at or near the border for rapid response at any time, during this era. (Comparatively, Canada today, with a 37 million population has a total of 68,000 active air/sea/land forces, a large majority stationed in the tempered South). That ratio shows the power of the conscript system: capacity on demand. I served there, myself. Great time. P.S.: speaking of similarities, I also have respect for Canada’s wise choice of SAR helicopter upgrades to the military NAWSAR (Norwegian All Weather Search And Rescue) helicopter spec, based on the Leonardo AW101 evolution platform (up from Canada’s old CH149 Cormorant), but equipped according to Norwegian Royal Airforce’s pioneering requirements. You thereby upgrade to the most advanced SAR heli in the world, no other SAR helicopter model/setup comes close. Another example of Canada and Norway “on the same frequency”. 👍
I remember the first proper show on RMC`s that I watched was about them training in the arctic. That was maybe 15-16 years ago. Cool to see that the kit is getting updated. These dry suits look like the ones I saw on a early 2000`s SAS series. They talked about having these special suits for landing on the beach cause a wet soldier is a miserable soldier and a miserable soldier is not effective. If you remember we talked about the US forces in Siberia during the Russian revolution. Even back then they had the common sense to use an actual arctic experienced explorer to train the men. And yes, the sound is on point now. Cool video, great input as always.
Ive got MASSIVE RESPECT for you lads who have done the arctic warfare training because you have to be tough to do nothing up there never mind training for war. I’ve been to Tromsø (it’s a tiny island in the middle of a fjord and at the end of the E8 road) in January and it does feel like the cold wants to kill you and it hurts having any bare skin. My wife is from there and I went to visit my wife’s parents for the 1st time and I told her next time she wants to see her parents I’ll pay for them to come to us. I got whole new level of respect for my girlfriends toughness after our visit to her home town. Her parents now live here in the U.K. they moved here when we had our first child as they wanted to see their grandkids grow up. Once all this Covid shit is over we’ll be going back but this time it will be in the summer. If we can’t get there because of Covid until after the summer then we’re waiting until next year. I don’t normally mind the cold but the cold up there is off the scale. I’d of probably died shortly after arrival if it wasn’t for my gf because I was just going to wear jeans with a pair of trackie bottoms under them. I ended up having to spend a small fortune on some top quality winter clothes.
@@jodu626 i believe it. Anyone who can operate in those conditions need to know a whole different level of survival before they even do any soldiering or work.
Goes from “it will keeeeel” and Viking long swords chopping ice blocks to British arctic combat troop training. God I love ADD and the tube of youness.
dude the series "Royal Marines Mountain Leader Course" from the 80's is absolutely sick, there is some insane coastal mountain climbing footage done at night, no ropes, in the wet, it's crazy. It also shows the training from start to finish
My brother was a Royal Marine and he trained in the 70's in Norway. Living under ice and snow as such. We had pictures of him with his shirt off living under the snow and ice, it was quite warm seemingly.
I never appreciated how much good editing and camera work improves a documentary. I'd love it anyway, but that puts the icing on the freckle/speckle cake.
I always wished I had the balls I have now back in my early 20’s and joined the forces I have mad respect for all of them and what they do and the work they put in they are excellent
i know this was last month, however, 3 commando brigade is all commando troops from 29 to 47 commando the vast majority of 3 commando brigade will get the mountain training however the mountain leaders and in particular 45 commando are mountain and artic specialists.
I'm so glad you found these vids as well. Because frankly. It shows why our Royal Marine Commando's are truly the most versatile fighting force in the world.
11:36 In case you haven’t realised it (not sarcasm btw) it’s the same reason why if you get soaked in a those environments; you’ll want to use soft-packed snow and roll in it. The fact that snow is largely air means it’ll absorb water from your clothes. It’s also one part of why burning a snowball with a lighter
your seals was in norway in 1994 and train around my home town..got beaten bad bye the norwegain marines..the got droped in equal distans from the town.. 2 days difference on time to get in.. had a blast with them the week after..when they was gona learn to ski..was working in ski restort the was trying to learn.. never seen so many broken ski as that day.. but they where laugh alot of themself..
if you get wet in frosty weather (like -10 or below, well for finns -10 isnt cold yet but -20 celsius and colder...) you have to get naked and try to change dry clothes or you will freeze.. if no dry clothes you just have to deal with it. either keep moving with the wet clothes or take them off... as long as you are warm or dry you cannot freeze. or get hypothermia
Lt Col Innes Catton. Cant remember if he was a captain or lt when he was at 42cdo but the ‘Cat’ was a pretty cool guy then. I swear I did my first Norway with him....might be misremembering that. I do remember hearing some of the lads said he cracked a backflip cause someone dared him to see if he could.
The time I did the breaking ice thing, I got up to my pelvis before they tugged me back into the water and took their time, shouting, not letting me leave the water until properly asking to leave. After the water was the mindfuck because all motorskills shut down. We had a Sauna at the barracks, I ran like a badger for what all things holy to get there and a half hour later I was warm again. Had a lot of extreme cold experiences that year, learnt a lot Will never go back.
In the late 80's and early 90's we had the NATO Air Mobile Force (AMF), we used to exercise in Norway every winter and Turkey every summer. Learned so much, even now as a civvy, knowing things like how to protect your skin from the cold or heat is really useful.
48 AMF(L) Coy RAOC, exercise Hardfall Jan-Feb 1973, 1 month for us, The Marines were there for 3 months. As an interesting sidenote, we sailed up on RFA Sir Galahad, later lost in the Falklands.
You mentioned Chosin, you might want to look up 41 Commando and Task Force Drysdale. Unfortunately can't find a good video, but many good articles online
The Mountain Leader course is a year long. It’s considered the longest and hardest military course. There’s a 1980’s series about the course. Along with each phase of the course.
Had a winter excercise in the mountains a couple hours outside of Lillehammer. Luckily there was no wind, but we had nights down to -27°C. It was definitely doable, but not an experience I remember fondly 😅 Worst part was not being able to have your clothes dry over night, so every morning we had to put on clothing that were frozen completely solid. Luckily they defroze pretty quickly once we put them on, but the initial sensation was definitely not fun. Mad props to everyone in Brigade Nord who serves close to or above the arctic circle, and get to really experience what a Norwgian winter has to offer.
I did a Norway exercise attached to 3 BAS. I can honestly say that I preferred to be deployed in Iraq. I hate to say it being Army but the RM are the world leaders in Arctic warfare, no one comes close to their expertise.
Ah, Chosin Reservoir : Royal Marines of 41 (Independent) Commando, about 235 served and retreated with the US 1st Marine Division. 41 Commando leader, one Lt. Col. Drysdale - was given a Commando of around 900 men - US and South Korean, known as Task Force Drysdale The fighting retreat cost 41 Commando, 93 casualties - and earned them a the American Presidential Unit Citation as a part of the 1st Marine Division.
If your wanting to know about the training that the mountain leaders do there’s a short documentary series from the BBC in the 80s called “behind enemy lines” it’s on the Royal Marines UA-cam page.
MLs are one of the highest respected (and hard) of royals. They are all but a SF soldier. The same with Reccy troop (if its still a thing). 3 commando brigade means, all the soldiers . As this 3 main commando units. 40,42 and 45. Though it's mainly 45 commando that specialises in articwarfar, and the MLs will be attached to 45. I wanted to go 45 as I had a far slimmer chance of going to a jungle. Terrified of snake.
You mentioned the Chosin reservoir action during the Korean War. At some point prior to this event a new Royal Marine unit was formed in the U.K. It was known as 41 Independent Commando, and their purpose was to carry out operations in the Korean war. There were about 200 members of this unit. During the Chosin reservoir action the U.S. 1st Marine Division was supported by this newly formed R.M. unit. For its outstanding service in support of the U.S.Marines 41 Commando R.M.were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, as well as certain awards to individual Royal Marines. 41 Independent Commando lost about 30-40 of their number during this operation and the unit was disbanded after the Korean war was over.
Operations Telemark. Allied commando operations in Norway,(WWII). The Norwegian heavy water sabotage was a series of Allied-led efforts to halt German heavy water production via hydroelectric plants in Nazi Germany-occupied Norway during World War II, involving both Norwegian commandos and Allied bombing raids. PS, brilliant subject matter, the Royal Marines, a much better advert for the kind of warriors they are. I like the baseball cap.
You should definitely react to the Royal Marines: Behind the Lines series; its a really interesting 1980s look at the specialist course these guys have to complete...which is basically the modern-day SFSG course, I believe.
Cracking photography in that video, really enjoyed your reaction to this. Your channel is getting better and better all the time (I'm just starting out with mine, so your channel is top of my watch list). 👍
When you grow up in these conditions you learn pretty quick that it's not actually that cold, or rather it has to dip past -20 before it's actually really cold, the real problem is the wind, so as long as you can insulate yourself, then you're mostly fine in terms of warmth. The issues are mostly logistics actually when it comes to cold climate and mountain combat, which is where the cold being bad comes in. Also, when it comes to insulation, you're surrounded by a great natural insulater, snow. Lying down on snow while it's windy will almost feel like your chest is being warmed up, when in reality it's just because the heat is leaving your body faster through your "exposed" back than your chest through the snow and into the ground. The shoes are a modern version of a form of skiboot for cross-country skis, it's basically just a shoe with a loop in front for locking it to the ski.
If you dont get to go there via military, you could always just go to lapland in norway, finland or sweden and talk to some raindeer owners to see if you can go with them for a week and do a mini documentary, I am sure you would be gladly taken, and it would not even cost anything to you or them in monetary terms, some saami or lappi people organisation would cover the cost in exhange for youtube visibility.
Hi @combatarmschannel, Enjoying your posts. I think your commentary is fair and humble. You asked about ML selection and SRS(vs SBS). MLs are the UK’s mountain and artic warfare experts. Basically there’s an 80’s documentary that you’ll find on UA-cam that covers the ML2 course. I’m told by ML friends that the documentary is accurate and that the course has hardly changed at all since then. It is widely considered in the corps to be an equally demanding course as UKSF selection - and very different in nature. SRS is mainly staffed by MLs. It wouldn’t be useful to comment on the relative “quality” of SRS vs SBS (and I am certainly not qualified to do so!), as the two units have very different roles. SBS is similar to the US SEAL Team 6 (remit of maritime counter terrorism), whereas SRS are the intelligence gathering capability for the brigade - a similar role to that of 16 Bde’s Pathfinder platoon. Obviously PF specialise in covert parachute insertion and service 16 Bde, whereas SRS specialise in mountain and arctic warfare and service 3 Cdo Bde. Hope this helps answer your questions.
Mountain leadership training in Scotland was a spinoff fom Military and civilian mountain rescue teams and many others such as the muir trust, Hamish McInnes etc.The pupose being to Have well trained,competent and experience. I know The Marines used to train around Glenco and i am sure many of them did the training. I was on an RAF mountain rescue team at the time 70's.
Well well I may make those outfits on Ghost Recon Breakpoint for some epic outfit Videos but I love dat 501st helmet 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥 glory to the Galactic Republic Army !
@@jameskellard5075 so no 😂😂 One of my old mates lives there now. But lads will be lads sometimes and I’m sure the locals can get pissed off with all that testosterone
ML 1 and ML 2 are incredibly tough courses. I did the civilian equivalent which was nowhere near as tough as what those guys achieve. They are the best of the best at what they do!
hahahah I love your reactions, we would get on great on the piss! if you're ever in the UK again, come to Wales and we will have a few beers in Cardiff.stay safe.
the mountain leader have to pas 3 Mountain level Classes before being top of their field. They have to have done a minimum of 2 years experience in Level 2 before completing the ML1 class of a further 9 months training.
Two characteristics in the remote cold. Firstly field craft is very different. Operating in the snow you leave a very obvious trail everywhere you go. Movement on foot or with vehicles in groups needs planning if you don't want to be found. Second there are just not that many roads. So logistics need to be creative if you are out there for any period of time. Walking with a backpack doesn't cut it. You need toboggans to carry supplies with you.
Third time watching this reaction. Just a good especially the subject matter, that was as awesome as the First Time I saw it, also watching the original a couple of times. 👍🏻 Supporting the channel, BAM! 💥
I find this a bit fun. As a Norwegian I basically go out on hikes in these conditions for fun. Sleeping outside in winter is just normal Norwegian kind of stuff. All Norwegian soldiers, even conscripts, are better in winter conditions than most other countries soldiers.
@@MrOdsplut No shit. But the fact that most Norwegians go out in harsh conditions recreationally means they are better prepared for tactical training in these conditions.
That test where they go into the freezing cold water is bad enough normally, but just imagine if the tank went down... I really do get what was said about the James Bond villain role, I just want to sit him in a leather office chair and give him a white cat to complete the vision.
Just wondering if you have ever heard of the Shackleton / endurance expedition to Antarctica in 1914? It's an amazing tale of perseverance against adversity. Don't think you would able to do reaction to it though, to do the story justice it would be a bit to long a video, but i think it's something you would find interesting 👍
The temp is higher in Scotland but it feels colder. The only military who train in Norway more than the RM are the Norwegians In the 80s a 6 episode program covered training and selection of the ROYAL MARINE ARTIC AND MOUNTAIN WARFARE CADRE
There is an old documentary following the mountain leader course, its well worth a watch, tad outdated but im sure they get tested very similar now aha
The cold is something you dont really think about other than "argh fuck its cold so annoying". In finnish Lapland we just hit -38C/-36Fahrenheit. We always were really annoyed in the military when we packed so much shit for a field training exercise like insane amount of clothes for 1 week. But when you are outside for a week and it hits that kind of temperatures the amount of clothes can be a literal life saver or atleast a limb saver😂😂 if something goes wrong your equipment gets wet for example that -38C is suddenly and realistically a very dangerous enviroment to be in. If your pant leg lifts up and you get snow in your shoes for example and cant get a fresh pair of dry socks asap, its a suprisingly fast bye bye to your toes. Anyway the point was that people these days really think of the winter as a danger but when you get put in to certain situations you kinda sober up to respect the cold you realize it can truly hurt you. Our company had atleast a few soldiers who had to be taken to the hospital because of frostbite from our first field training combat exercise and it was "only" -30celsius
I was born in Norway but i see my self as British. I love that we have a close bond between us, which mostly came from WWII. There's a reason Norway gives the Christmas tree to Britain. Respect
The place where we do all this training we gifted the Norwegian Army a MK4 Seaking helicopter as a gate guard (to display next to entrance gate)
The history and the bonds between Norway and Britain started a thousand years ago, with the Vikings. But WW2 kinda glued the bond.
@@NorwegianPat Lol. Exactly!
And we respect you too
Big respect bro, we couldn't wish for a better neighbour and friend than Norway.
That last guy to speak who spoke a lot on that vid.
Classic elite British Forces dude.
Calm and collected. Yet cold, brutal, and utterly lethal when called upon to be so.
You can tell. You definitely wouldn't want to mess with him and his team.
I'm glad I'm British, so that he's on my side - he's scary.
@@w0033944 I'm British as well and I'm joining the royal marine commandos wish me luck
They're like a switch calm then the switch gets TRIGGERED then they become DEATH IT'S SELF THEN THE SWITCH GOES BACK and there fine
One of Napoleon's Generals said that the British soldier was a very strange fellow, merciful to anyone who was wounded but totally merciless to anyone who wasn't.
Mountain Leaders Course is one of the toughest courses in the world. Total respect to ML 1 and ML 2 legends.
“If you can fight and maintain combat effectiveness in the Arctic you can fight anywhere”
Not the desert
@@jomaridelapaz3404 actually yes at night the temperature can get very low.
@@samuel10125 not talking about temp. Water, food
@@jomaridelapaz3404 Yes you can. The desert is a kinder version of the Arctic.
@@jomaridelapaz3404 as an ex junglie I can say that the statement is correct if you can carry out drills in the arctic you can do it anyway ....that's from eating,drinking,fighting,surviving,maintaining and working with aircraft .
I have the greatest respect for this young American marine & his channel. The respect he shows for the British military is 1st class. I Hope both you and your family are doing well. Respect from Northern Ireland. 🇬🇧
He’s a great guy, I totally agree about the respect !
I believe that UK forces still call it a Bergen in reference to the first time they came across this type of 'rucksack' by skiers around Bergen, Norway. It was originally a framed sack. I could be wrong, and there are plenty of arguments about it on the internet, but I seem to remember this from an old video about Royal Marines up in Norway.
Almost correct Alex. It's called a Bergen from the sports and out-door Company's name Bergan whose kit the Norwegian army has been using since 1913.
From Finland much love for Norway.
Finland, who fought like tigers in WW II. All the best from Scotland.
Hyva Ilya ja kipis
@@albin2232 we fight smart. and thanks✌️ we are prepared but don't like to fight. Love from Finland ✌️✌️✌️
Bear in mind; the SBS are trained BY Mountain Leaders on the RM Mountain Leaders cadre. Add to that the SAS Mountain Troop, and also the Australian and NZ SAS send elements of their soldiers on that course. On that series that others mention is here on YT, the SBS, SAS and NZSAS are all represented on it.
Which is why collectively, and individually, they are such a powerful force.
SB have their own mountain troop.
Bond Villain... Sir Christopher Lee (Francisco Scaramanga - The Man With The Golden Gun) joined the Finnish Army to fight in the Winter War back in 1939
I didn't know that. Interesting fact.
Mountain Leader selection is covered extensively in a series called 'Royal Marines Behind the Lines' which is in several parts on UA-cam. It's quite old so some aspects may have changed, but is still an incredible insight.
Yeah I was just about to recommend that doc
@@RomeoMike22 yeah it's awesome...the last episode where they get captured and give the Norwegian SF more than a bit of trouble
Yeah that’s a nails cadre. Great show.
@@trident1314 that scene was spectacular 🤣
Yes very good
I was in CHF as an aircraft engineer and our role was to support 3 Commando brigade and even we got trained by Mountain Leaders in Norway. Was the hardest course I did in my career.
Hear me out all the way here mate, as I know you are a great unbiased source.
I left the Corp in 2006 after 7 years. I did 2 tours of Norway even although after the first I said never again. I sucked at skiing and I sweated HARD. (No big deal until you stop your ski march and settle down for the night and your clothes literally freeze on you!)
Many units of many military's have conducted "artic warfare training".
Let me tell you.... Canada in winter is not the same as Norway. In my time we saw temperatures (in celcius dont forget) get down to -50 with windchill factor! The Royal Marines strayed from bowing down to "training conditions" and as such, I remember on the final exercise, after several weeks, if not months in Norway, inwas aboard a Norwegian vessel deploying the MIB's and personnel for a beach recce (recon). This was the first time I'd heard of such an exercise being halted.... the guys on the MIB's were breaking waves. As those waves broke on the bow the water was turning to ice instantly and literally lacerating their faces!
I cant even imagine how the greatest generation managed to fight in these conditions with far inferior kit and training. Really should make you think about what that generation was like!
If you havent seen the movie "the 12th man" i highly recommend it. Its a ww2 movie about a guy trying to survive the harsh of artic, while being chased by the germans.
@@93haugen thanks. I'll check it out
@@bigbossrossRM its also based on real event.
@@93haugen badass film. "Breakfast lunch and dinner licking one biscuit! 😅
A lot if respect for your service from here in the uk 🇬🇧
The ice breaking drills are fascinating to experience. Your body just forgets how to breathe when the shock hits you and you have to really focus to do it manually. Not that bad if you know what to do and can control yourself, but if you can't...
The actual specialist in Arctic warfare within NATO is the COE-CWO. Both the Royal Marines and the US Marines follow the formal NATO education and training structure, and both are trained (or "forged", word used in video title) by specialist instructors and competence from COE-CWO in Norway.
There is one Center Of Excellence Cold Weather Operations (COE-CWO) in NATO: it encompasses training areas (mainly sea/air/land in North Norway), infrastructure, manpower and knowledge drawn from all four services in the Norwegian Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force and Home Guard.
Location: COE-CWO in Bodø, Norway, and the Norwegian School of Winter Warfare (NSWW) in Elverum, Norway.
Expertise: develop and provide CWO competence to NATO member countries, focus on operations in the extreme cold, and collaborate with other institutions, for instance the Center of Excellence Mountain Warfare (COE-MW) in Slovenia.
CWO Framework Nation (i.e. responsible): Norway.
Two series of bi-annual, joint NATO winter exercises and repetitions in Norway are important elements of the program. These are named "Cold Response [even year]" and "Joint Viking [odd year]", alternately. Aim of exercises: retain and further enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high intensity warfighting in a challenging Arctic environment on the tactical level. Typically, 10,000-50,000 forces from most, or many, NATO member countries participate.
NATO Centers Of Excellence info: www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_68372.htm
NATO's COE Catalogue (2021): www.cmdrcoe.org/fls/pubs/2021_COE_CATALOGUE.pdf
Interview of a Norwegian CWO instructor (explaining his teaching, and appreciation, of the US Marines and allied coop): ua-cam.com/video/uOTz5DVGiZMq/v-deo.html
Canadian forcesroutinely train in the Arctic.
@@vincenzocomments980 Yes, there is no doubt about the Canadian Arctic capacity, and I have respect for Canada. Of Canadian Arctic military activities I know about: the annual Operation Nanook, and units of the Canadian Rangers, the Alert station, to name some. One likely reason why NATO chose Norway for handling the COE-CWO is the large percentage of our national population that have chosen, most are born into, a life above the Arctic circle: around 10% of Norway’s population live in the Arctic (480,000 Norwegians) - comparatively, less than 0.5% of Canada’s population (150,000 Canadians, incl. Inuit natives) live in the Arctic while the large majority of Canadians live very close to the border near the USA lower 48. Another possible reason for the choice of COE-CWO is how the Arctic society in Norway is closely integrated, both the native Norse and the native Sámi descendants (both migrated here 9,000 years ago), as one and with nature. Historically, the Arctic Norwegian military, led by our excellent General Fleischer, fought the Nazi Gebirgsjäger alpine specialist troops, led by Germany’s General Dietl, for 62 days after the WW2 invasion during April-June 1940 (conditions: infantry and artillery winter warfare, solely in the roadless wilderness of the inland mountain ranges at 69th parallel North, thaw started late, after June 1). General Fleischer and his local soldiers were tough as nails and pushed the technically superior Germans back, almost over the border to Sweden. A proud legacy. Fast forward, to the Cold War Era: sharing land border with our neighbour Russia, tiny Norway (population 4 million) stationed most of its 165,000 conscript forces in the Arctic, at or near the border for rapid response at any time, during this era. (Comparatively, Canada today, with a 37 million population has a total of 68,000 active air/sea/land forces, a large majority stationed in the tempered South). That ratio shows the power of the conscript system: capacity on demand. I served there, myself. Great time. P.S.: speaking of similarities, I also have respect for Canada’s wise choice of SAR helicopter upgrades to the military NAWSAR (Norwegian All Weather Search And Rescue) helicopter spec, based on the Leonardo AW101 evolution platform (up from Canada’s old CH149 Cormorant), but equipped according to Norwegian Royal Airforce’s pioneering requirements. You thereby upgrade to the most advanced SAR heli in the world, no other SAR helicopter model/setup comes close. Another example of Canada and Norway “on the same frequency”. 👍
I remember the first proper show on RMC`s that I watched was about them training in the arctic. That was maybe 15-16 years ago. Cool to see that the kit is getting updated. These dry suits look like the ones I saw on a early 2000`s SAS series. They talked about having these special suits for landing on the beach cause a wet soldier is a miserable soldier and a miserable soldier is not effective. If you remember we talked about the US forces in Siberia during the Russian revolution. Even back then they had the common sense to use an actual arctic experienced explorer to train the men. And yes, the sound is on point now. Cool video, great input as always.
The cold in Norway is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. If feels like it wants to kill you. lot of lads hated it.
Imagine how the Russians feel in Siberia 😱
@@MW-dd8vk ooof sod that!
Ive got MASSIVE RESPECT for you lads who have done the arctic warfare training because you have to be tough to do nothing up there never mind training for war. I’ve been to Tromsø (it’s a tiny island in the middle of a fjord and at the end of the E8 road) in January and it does feel like the cold wants to kill you and it hurts having any bare skin. My wife is from there and I went to visit my wife’s parents for the 1st time and I told her next time she wants to see her parents I’ll pay for them to come to us. I got whole new level of respect for my girlfriends toughness after our visit to her home town. Her parents now live here in the U.K. they moved here when we had our first child as they wanted to see their grandkids grow up. Once all this Covid shit is over we’ll be going back but this time it will be in the summer. If we can’t get there because of Covid until after the summer then we’re waiting until next year. I don’t normally mind the cold but the cold up there is off the scale. I’d of probably died shortly after arrival if it wasn’t for my gf because I was just going to wear jeans with a pair of trackie bottoms under them. I ended up having to spend a small fortune on some top quality winter clothes.
@@howey935 the Norwegian guys were on a different level. Top soldiers
@@jodu626 i believe it. Anyone who can operate in those conditions need to know a whole different level of survival before they even do any soldiering or work.
Goes from “it will keeeeel” and Viking long swords chopping ice blocks to British arctic combat troop training.
God I love ADD and the tube of youness.
dude the series "Royal Marines Mountain Leader Course" from the 80's is absolutely sick, there is some insane coastal mountain climbing footage done at night, no ropes, in the wet, it's crazy. It also shows the training from start to finish
You are fantastic, as are your video’s mate. The US and the UK Must be closer than ever before. 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧👍❤️.
My brother was a Royal Marine and he trained in the 70's in Norway. Living under ice and snow as such. We had pictures of him with his shirt off living under the snow and ice, it was quite warm seemingly.
Royal Marines will always create mayhem and keep doing it
I never appreciated how much good editing and camera work improves a documentary. I'd love it anyway, but that puts the icing on the freckle/speckle cake.
Check out the Telemark raids in Norway during WWII, to thwart the German heavy water production for thier atomic project.
The second guy (James Bond villain as you called him, haha) is a Lieutenant Colonel.
haha thanks
I assume all his predecessors met unexpected and intimely ends paving the way for his inexorable rise up the ranks! :D
@@Akm72 There'll soon be a colonel vacancy somewhere. He'll bump one of them off in Norway, haha.
I always wished I had the balls I have now back in my early 20’s and joined the forces I have mad respect for all of them and what they do and the work they put in they are excellent
The BBC did a series called Behind Enemy Lines in the 80's. It's still on iPlayer
Greetings from Finland!..
I think our borderguard do this 24 7 365
You know what I just realized? When you did the shoot and scoot short, I missed an opportunity. An opportunity to dub thee ShootyMcScooty.
Never too late for a pun. Well received haha
@@CombatArmsChannel your a legend mate keep up the amazing content you deff earned my sub :) lots of love from canada
realised 😜
i know this was last month, however, 3 commando brigade is all commando troops from 29 to 47 commando the vast majority of 3 commando brigade will get the mountain training however the mountain leaders and in particular 45 commando are mountain and artic specialists.
I'm so glad you found these vids as well. Because frankly.
It shows why our Royal Marine Commando's are truly the most versatile fighting force in the world.
11:36 In case you haven’t realised it (not sarcasm btw) it’s the same reason why if you get soaked in a those environments; you’ll want to use soft-packed snow and roll in it. The fact that snow is largely air means it’ll absorb water from your clothes. It’s also one part of why burning a snowball with a lighter
your seals was in norway in 1994 and train around my home town..got beaten bad bye the norwegain marines..the got droped in equal distans from the town.. 2 days difference on time to get in.. had a blast with them the week after..when they was gona learn to ski..was working in ski restort the was trying to learn.. never seen so many broken ski as that day.. but they where laugh alot of themself..
if you get wet in frosty weather (like -10 or below, well for finns -10 isnt cold yet but -20 celsius and colder...) you have to get naked and try to change dry clothes or you will freeze.. if no dry clothes you just have to deal with it. either keep moving with the wet clothes or take them off... as long as you are warm or dry you cannot freeze. or get hypothermia
Lt Col Innes Catton. Cant remember if he was a captain or lt when he was at 42cdo but the ‘Cat’ was a pretty cool guy then. I swear I did my first Norway with him....might be misremembering that. I do remember hearing some of the lads said he cracked a backflip cause someone dared him to see if he could.
USMC that used to be stationed in Keflavik Iceland, has been training in Norway for years. They where great guys 🤘👍
The time I did the breaking ice thing, I got up to my pelvis before they tugged me back into the water and took their time, shouting, not letting me leave the water until properly asking to leave. After the water was the mindfuck because all motorskills shut down. We had a Sauna at the barracks, I ran like a badger for what all things holy to get there and a half hour later I was warm again. Had a lot of extreme cold experiences that year, learnt a lot Will never go back.
In the late 80's and early 90's we had the NATO Air Mobile Force (AMF), we used to exercise in Norway every winter and Turkey every summer. Learned so much, even now as a civvy, knowing things like how to protect your skin from the cold or heat is really useful.
AMF(L) Coy R.A.O.C.👍
48 AMF(L) Coy RAOC, exercise Hardfall Jan-Feb 1973, 1 month for us, The Marines were there for 3 months. As an interesting sidenote, we sailed up on RFA Sir Galahad, later lost in the Falklands.
Love your videos from Norway
I was waiting for this! Thanks!
You mentioned Chosin, you might want to look up 41 Commando and Task Force Drysdale. Unfortunately can't find a good video, but many good articles online
Superb video. Those guys seem so composed, smart and wry. Great.
The Mountain Leader course is a year long. It’s considered the longest and hardest military course. There’s a 1980’s series about the course. Along with each phase of the course.
Their is an old 80s documentary showing the mountain arctic Warfare cardre and their training.
royal marines retake 3 hijack vessels. a reaction recommendation for geeza. Great vid quality as always
Had a winter excercise in the mountains a couple hours outside of Lillehammer. Luckily there was no wind, but we had nights down to -27°C. It was definitely doable, but not an experience I remember fondly 😅 Worst part was not being able to have your clothes dry over night, so every morning we had to put on clothing that were frozen completely solid. Luckily they defroze pretty quickly once we put them on, but the initial sensation was definitely not fun. Mad props to everyone in Brigade Nord who serves close to or above the arctic circle, and get to really experience what a Norwgian winter has to offer.
Wow what a video - that looked propper!! 🏴
I did a Norway exercise attached to 3 BAS. I can honestly say that I preferred to be deployed in Iraq. I hate to say it being Army but the RM are the world leaders in Arctic warfare, no one comes close to their expertise.
Amazing video as usual bro 🔥🔥❤️
I hope they invite you to attend the course and show it.
Ah, Chosin Reservoir : Royal Marines of 41 (Independent) Commando, about 235 served and retreated with the US 1st Marine Division. 41 Commando leader, one Lt. Col. Drysdale - was given a Commando of around 900 men - US and South Korean, known as Task Force Drysdale The fighting retreat cost 41 Commando, 93 casualties - and earned them a the American Presidential Unit Citation as a part of the 1st Marine Division.
Royal Marines Mountain Warfare Cadre Smashed the Argentinian Special Forces at Top Malo House in Falklands War.
Love the UK videos!!
Professionally reviewed. Impressive.
Don't forget the royal marines were at chosin too.
If your wanting to know about the training that the mountain leaders do there’s a short documentary series from the BBC in the 80s called “behind enemy lines” it’s on the Royal Marines UA-cam page.
MLs are one of the highest respected (and hard) of royals. They are all but a SF soldier. The same with Reccy troop (if its still a thing).
3 commando brigade means, all the soldiers . As this 3 main commando units. 40,42 and 45. Though it's mainly 45 commando that specialises in articwarfar, and the MLs will be attached to 45.
I wanted to go 45 as I had a far slimmer chance of going to a jungle. Terrified of snake.
You mentioned the Chosin reservoir action during the Korean War. At some point
prior to this event a new Royal Marine unit was formed in the U.K.
It was known as 41 Independent Commando, and their purpose was to carry out
operations in the Korean war. There were about 200 members of this unit.
During the Chosin reservoir action the U.S. 1st Marine Division was supported by
this newly formed R.M. unit.
For its outstanding service in support of the U.S.Marines 41 Commando R.M.were
awarded a Presidential Unit Citation, as well as certain awards to individual Royal
Marines.
41 Independent Commando lost about 30-40 of their number during this operation
and the unit was disbanded after the Korean war was over.
Operations Telemark.
Allied commando operations in Norway,(WWII).
The Norwegian heavy water sabotage was a series of Allied-led efforts to halt German heavy water production via hydroelectric plants in Nazi Germany-occupied Norway during World War II, involving both Norwegian commandos and Allied bombing raids.
PS, brilliant subject matter, the Royal Marines, a much better advert for the kind of warriors they are.
I like the baseball cap.
You should definitely react to the Royal Marines: Behind the Lines series; its a really interesting 1980s look at the specialist course these guys have to complete...which is basically the modern-day SFSG course, I believe.
Cracking photography in that video, really enjoyed your reaction to this. Your channel is getting better and better all the time (I'm just starting out with mine, so your channel is top of my watch list). 👍
Please react to when Britain blew up the French fleet in world war 2
Some of the things they practice is things er do for fun in the north, like skiing and driving on snow and ice.
That "villain" guy seems like the utmost professional.
When you grow up in these conditions you learn pretty quick that it's not actually that cold, or rather it has to dip past -20 before it's actually really cold, the real problem is the wind, so as long as you can insulate yourself, then you're mostly fine in terms of warmth. The issues are mostly logistics actually when it comes to cold climate and mountain combat, which is where the cold being bad comes in.
Also, when it comes to insulation, you're surrounded by a great natural insulater, snow. Lying down on snow while it's windy will almost feel like your chest is being warmed up, when in reality it's just because the heat is leaving your body faster through your "exposed" back than your chest through the snow and into the ground.
The shoes are a modern version of a form of skiboot for cross-country skis, it's basically just a shoe with a loop in front for locking it to the ski.
love this channel and have learned a lot. well
presented also.
If you dont get to go there via military, you could always just go to lapland in norway, finland or sweden and talk to some raindeer owners to see if you can go with them for a week and do a mini documentary, I am sure you would be gladly taken, and it would not even cost anything to you or them in monetary terms, some saami or lappi people organisation would cover the cost in exhange for youtube visibility.
RM MLs and Para Reg Pathfinders are UK SF standard. Outstanding.
We have USMC training here in Canada for winter warfare, as we call it!
Norway is easily the most beautiful country I have ever visited!
There’s a documentary about marine mountain leaders, if you don’t react to it check it out in your spare time because it’s great
Hi @combatarmschannel,
Enjoying your posts. I think your commentary is fair and humble.
You asked about ML selection and SRS(vs SBS). MLs are the UK’s mountain and artic warfare experts. Basically there’s an 80’s documentary that you’ll find on UA-cam that covers the ML2 course. I’m told by ML friends that the documentary is accurate and that the course has hardly changed at all since then. It is widely considered in the corps to be an equally demanding course as UKSF selection - and very different in nature.
SRS is mainly staffed by MLs. It wouldn’t be useful to comment on the relative “quality” of SRS vs SBS (and I am certainly not qualified to do so!), as the two units have very different roles. SBS is similar to the US SEAL Team 6 (remit of maritime counter terrorism), whereas SRS are the intelligence gathering capability for the brigade - a similar role to that of 16 Bde’s Pathfinder platoon. Obviously PF specialise in covert parachute insertion and service 16 Bde, whereas SRS specialise in mountain and arctic warfare and service 3 Cdo Bde. Hope this helps answer your questions.
The Bonn Villian. He’s a Major and probably the commander of the school
Mountain leadership training in Scotland was a spinoff fom Military and civilian mountain rescue teams and many others such as the muir trust, Hamish McInnes etc.The pupose being to Have well trained,competent and experience. I know The Marines used to train around Glenco and i am sure many of them did the training. I was on an RAF mountain rescue team at the time 70's.
mountain leader course In the Royal Marines is one of the hardest specialisations. a lot of the guys go sf
Well well I may make those outfits on Ghost Recon Breakpoint for some epic outfit Videos but I love dat 501st helmet 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥 glory to the Galactic Republic Army !
What they are doing there is what we did as kids here in Norway. Snow caves and sleeping in them.
do the marines have a good reputation amongst locals, when they are training there?
@@ryanbonner25 A lot of Royals used to marry Norwegian girls if that answers your question
@@jameskellard5075 so no 😂😂 One of my old mates lives there now. But lads will be lads sometimes and I’m sure the locals can get pissed off with all that testosterone
@@ryanbonner25 They do!
@@Kraakesolv that's good :)
ML 1 and ML 2 are incredibly tough courses. I did the civilian equivalent which was nowhere near as tough as what those guys achieve. They are the best of the best at what they do!
hahahah I love your reactions, we would get on great on the piss! if you're ever in the UK again, come to Wales and we will have a few beers in Cardiff.stay safe.
the mountain leader have to pas 3 Mountain level Classes before being top of their field. They have to have done a minimum of 2 years experience in Level 2 before completing the ML1 class of a further 9 months training.
Two characteristics in the remote cold. Firstly field craft is very different. Operating in the snow you leave a very obvious trail everywhere you go. Movement on foot or with vehicles in groups needs planning if you don't want to be found. Second there are just not that many roads. So logistics need to be creative if you are out there for any period of time. Walking with a backpack doesn't cut it. You need toboggans to carry supplies with you.
Third time watching this reaction.
Just a good especially the subject matter, that was as awesome as the First Time I saw it, also watching the original a couple of times. 👍🏻
Supporting the channel, BAM! 💥
from finland, can confirm finns hate the cold too
Used to spend a lot of chilly time with three zero BPT.
Awesome video as per usual bro 👌
as a Canadian for us cold is a second nature the secret is to stay really calm and slow your breathing. Of course nothing beats proper clothing
I find this a bit fun. As a Norwegian I basically go out on hikes in these conditions for fun. Sleeping outside in winter is just normal Norwegian kind of stuff.
All Norwegian soldiers, even conscripts, are better in winter conditions than most other countries soldiers.
Doing things recreationally and tactically are extremely different
@@MrOdsplut No shit. But the fact that most Norwegians go out in harsh conditions recreationally means they are better prepared for tactical training in these conditions.
It looks extremely harsh and tough. For comparison: this course is also a specialization in the Dutch Maritime SOF unit.
That test where they go into the freezing cold water is bad enough normally, but just imagine if the tank went down...
I really do get what was said about the James Bond villain role, I just want to sit him in a leather office chair and give him a white cat to complete the vision.
At 12:00 those were cross country ski shoes/boots.
Just wondering if you have ever heard of the Shackleton / endurance expedition to Antarctica in 1914? It's an amazing tale of perseverance against adversity. Don't think you would able to do reaction to it though, to do the story justice it would be a bit to long a video, but i think it's something you would find interesting 👍
And a fair amount of stubbornness, could have been a lot easier if he has was more open to doing things a different way
I fought to carry the gpmg on battle camp with a sprained ankle and a bad attitude just for the double taps.
The snow isn't the Insulator the resting Air inside the snow is the insulator
The temp is higher in Scotland but it feels colder.
The only military who train in Norway more than the RM are the Norwegians
In the 80s a 6 episode program covered training and selection of the ROYAL MARINE ARTIC AND MOUNTAIN WARFARE CADRE
If only Canada sends more to the Arctic. We call ourselves true north but we only have 160 troops in Arctic
Great video. I loved Norway apart from one thing - those god awful pussers planks and ski boots! Let’s hope the lads getter better kit these days
There is an old documentary following the mountain leader course, its well worth a watch, tad outdated but im sure they get tested very similar now aha
That video was cool!
The cold is something you dont really think about other than "argh fuck its cold so annoying". In finnish Lapland we just hit -38C/-36Fahrenheit. We always were really annoyed in the military when we packed so much shit for a field training exercise like insane amount of clothes for 1 week. But when you are outside for a week and it hits that kind of temperatures the amount of clothes can be a literal life saver or atleast a limb saver😂😂 if something goes wrong your equipment gets wet for example that -38C is suddenly and realistically a very dangerous enviroment to be in. If your pant leg lifts up and you get snow in your shoes for example and cant get a fresh pair of dry socks asap, its a suprisingly fast bye bye to your toes.
Anyway the point was that people these days really think of the winter as a danger but when you get put in to certain situations you kinda sober up to respect the cold you realize it can truly hurt you. Our company had atleast a few soldiers who had to be taken to the hospital because of frostbite from our first field training combat exercise and it was "only" -30celsius
That was a cool video. Those Commando's are breed of their own. Heh