Forces Spéciales : les épreuves les plus dures au monde

Summary

The documentary showcases the grueling nine-week training of France's elite marine commandos, known for pushing recruits to their physical and mental limits. With vivid accounts from Marius, a legendary former marine commando, the film highlights the unyielding discipline, endurance, and resilience required to earn the prestigious green beret. Through physical tests, psychological challenges, and intense survival simulations, the trainees are meticulously crafted into soldiers capable of handling the world's most daunting missions.

Highlights

• Marius, the legendary commando, guides us through the intense training program. 🎖️
• Trainees are pushed to their limits with exercises emphasizing endurance, resilience, and survival skills. 🤼‍♂️
• The infamous 'Breton wall' proves a decisive hurdle for many. 🧱
• Hypothermia and exhaustion are constant companions in this grueling journey. ❄️
• Comradery emerges as a key component in tackling this formidable course. 👫

Key Takeaways

• Embrace the challenge to transform into part of an elite force. 💪
• These tests demand perseverance beyond the ordinary. 💥
• It's not just about strength, but the will to push through pain. 🏋️‍♀️
• Cohesion and brotherhood are vital in surviving the course. 🙌
• The path to excellence is forged through hardship. 🔥

Overview

Dive into the harrowing world of marine commando training, where each day is a battle of will, strength, and teamwork. Guided by former marine commando, Marius, recruits are exposed to one of the toughest military evaluations globally, showcasing the intensive physical and psychological demands of becoming an elite soldier.

Witness the trials of the 'Breton wall' and other monumental challenges that stand as a testament to physical prowess and mental fortitude. These obstacles aren't just barriers to overcome but milestones in the growth and development of France's elite forces. With each test, trainees confront their deepest fears and limitations.

Throughout the course, a sense of camaraderie grows between the recruits as they tackle each trial together, embodying the brotherhood and unity essential for success in special operations. With courage, determination, and mutual support, these trainees strive to earn the revered green beret, symbolizing their readiness to serve at the forefront of military operations worldwide.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction to Marine Commandos The chapter introduces the harsh realities and expectations of becoming a marine commando. It begins with a memorable welcome phrase emphasizing survival of the fittest at the marine rifle school. The narrator, Marius, who has 22 years of experience in the Marine commandos, reflects on the rigorous nature of the training that awaits the recruits. He hints at the tough selection process that aspiring commandos must undergo, inviting the reader to witness the determination required to succeed in such a demanding environment.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Welcome to Commando Training The chapter introduces the 'Welcome to Commando Training' course, which is renowned for being one of the toughest in the world. The instructor emphasizes a strict way of working, highlighting the left and right limits as boundaries within which trainees must operate. Anyone straying from these limits will be corrected firmly by the instructor, whose combat name is Marius.
• 02:00 - 04:00: The Jungle Course and Initial Tests The chapter titled 'The Jungle Course and Initial Tests' introduces the legendary status of the Marine commandos' training program. Marius, a seasoned expert, frequently visits the Lorient commando school to observe the rigorous selection process that occurs every six months. Candidates from all over France participate in this nine-week training, which is acclaimed as one of the most challenging globally. The focus this year is on class 135's batch of students embarking on this demanding journey.
• 04:00 - 06:00: Physical and Psychological Challenges The chapter focuses on the enduring spirit and rigorous training of marine commandos. It highlights the unchanged core requirements and ambitions of the training, despite changing times and people. The goal for young trainees remains becoming part of the elite special forces unit of the French Navy, known for their ability to infiltrate behind enemy lines.
• 06:00 - 08:00: Overcoming Fear and Building Team Spirit This chapter discusses the rigorous training and operations of marine commandos, highlighting their role in global conflicts since World War II. The narrative focuses on building team spirit and overcoming fear, which are crucial elements in their missions that include hostage rescues, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism. The chapter underscores the comprehensive nature of their training, encompassing physical, intellectual, and psychological aspects, to prepare for deployment in challenging and delicate situations worldwide.
• 08:00 - 10:00: Facing the Wall: Physical Barriers This chapter explores the mindset and physical endurance required to become a marine commando, an elite unit of the French army. The chapter highlights the expectations and unwavering determination of those aspiring to join, emphasizing resilience in the face of physical barriers and suffering. The focus is on the extraordinary discipline needed to thrive in tough and demanding situations.
• 10:00 - 12:00: The Halfway Mark The chapter titled 'The Halfway Mark' discusses the path to success, emphasizing that it requires overcoming doubts and obstacles. It portrays a journey filled with challenges, where only a few succeed. Participants, aged between 18 and 35, are involved in a rigorous selection process that lasts several weeks. The narrative underscores the importance of mental resilience and determination to stand out among a large number of volunteers, with success being limited to a few individuals.
• 12:00 - 14:00: Coxing Test: Endurance and Survival The chapter discusses the rigorous endurance and survival tests undertaken by young individuals including Mahavaury, Thiéblemont, Boubo, Riga, Gronen, and Brams. These individuals must constantly challenge their physical and mental limits in order to earn the prestigious green beret. The marine commando training program maintains its traditional toughness and rigorous standards.
• 14:00 - 16:00: Raid Ops: Final Test of Endurance The chapter "Raid Ops: Final Test of Endurance" begins with an emphasis on preparing for a challenging jungle route that requires aerial navigation and high-altitude work. The narrative introduces basic survival techniques intended to ensure safety during this journey. Training involves observing and learning from animals caught in headlights, such as wolves, foxes, and rabbits, highlighting their reactions of amazement and surprise as part of the learning experience.
• 16:00 - 18:00: The Journey to Becoming a Commando The chapter titled 'The Journey to Becoming a Commando' starts with the narrator addressing their assistants, emphasizing the transformative journey the trainees will undergo over the next 9 weeks. The narrator highlights the importance of observing changes in the trainees' faces as a measure of their growth. Throughout the course, two instructors, including the main master Eric, accompany the students. The training emphasizes the significance of staying connected to one's weapon, an essential part of their identity and professionalism as a commando.
• 18:00 - 20:00: Graduation and Reflection The chapter 'Graduation and Reflection' focuses on overcoming obstacles and self-reflection during a rigorous training exercise. The participants are encouraged to face their fears with the mantra 'eat it!' and are motivated by experienced instructors, including a figure named Lulu and two respected marine commandos with 20 years of experience each. The emphasis is on perseverance, physical exertion, and building confidence, as participants are urged to reach high for the rope without lifting their legs, demonstrating zero conviction in their initial attempts but are encouraged to start again and improve.

Forces Spéciales : les épreuves les plus dures au monde Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 The weak will perish, the strong will remain. This is how I was welcomed on February 4, 1985, at the marine rifle school. Nothing superhuman in the evaluation! That means, when you're 20 years old, we spit thunder from the front and we flash lightning from behind. My name is Marius, I made 22 years in the Marine commandos. You will glimpse, the little ray of sunshine, which will perhaps allow you to access the commando course. You will see in this film all selection tests, future commando trainees,
• 00:30 - 01:00 one of the famous courses the toughest in the world. You will follow me! My way of working is simple, a left limit, a right limit. Those who leave this axis, I put them back on axis in my own way! Marius is his nom de guerre.
• 01:00 - 01:30 And among the Marine commandos, it's a legend. Regularly, Marius returns at the Lorient commando school. This is where every 6 months arrive from the four corners of France, candidates for commando training. The selection lasts nine weeks. With his expert eye, Marius will decipher, each stage of this course, renowned among the most difficult in the world. This year, it's the students' turn from class 135,
• 01:30 - 02:00 to prove themselves. The times have changed, men have changed. What has not changed in training of marine commandos, it is that the spirit remains. Same route, same requirement, same ambition for these young trainees. Become one of the 600 commandos French Navy, entered the very closed circle of this elite special forces unit. Marine commandos are capable of infiltrating behind enemy lines.
• 02:00 - 02:30 Among their missions, hostage releases, information and fight against terrorism. Since the Second World War, the marine commandos are present on all conflicts, in the four corners of the planet. If you want peace, prepare for war. Marine commando training, is a physical training, intellectual and psychological, to be projected on theaters of operations and in situations the most delicate.
• 02:30 - 03:00 A commando, it's a man who passes where others do not pass. He is someone who gets up when the others don't get up! The marine commandos, it's the elite of the French army. It's part of the special forces. I have that in my skin. I want to do that. It's a goal that I set for myself. Not to suffer when we are hungry, when we when you are cold, when you are thirsty, when you are in pain, we do not suffer. I want to do this extraordinary profession. Something out of the ordinary, where you have to shoot each other, get your guts out.
• 03:00 - 03:30 This is the only way that will lead to success. It's a bit of a myth and be part of it, it’s true that it’s a source of pride personal. Those who doubt do not pass the obstacles. It's the head that will take you ahead. Overall, watch out! There are many volunteers for very few elected officials. The students are between 18 and 35 years old. For several weeks, these 63 trainees will submit to a formidable selection.
• 03:30 - 04:00 Among these young people, Mahavaury, Thiéblemont, Boubo, Riga, Gronen and Brams. Every day they will have to push back their physical and mental limits, to have the right to wear the legendary green beret. Nothing has been changed regarding state of mind, the harshness of the tests, Nothing has changed in the training course, within the marine commandos.
• 04:00 - 04:30 So this morning, study of the jungle route. The Jungle course, it's an aerial journey, with work at height. So, we give you the technique, to be able to get there safely. And we begin! The first days, we have animals, that are caught in the headlights of a car and a wolf, a fox or a rabbit in the headlights, it behaves the same way, it's amazement.
• 04:30 - 05:00 The first day I said to my two assistants: “Look at their faces today and we'll talk about it again in 9 weeks, you will see how they have changed.” Throughout the course, 2 instructors will accompany the students. The main master, Eric, Your weapon, you have it! It's not, I put it down, I move forward, I put it down, I move forward. You have your weapon!
• 05:00 - 05:30 Look at this obstacle, you're afraid of it. Eat it! And the second master, Lulu. Your name ? Your name ! Keep on going. Come on ! Like the little dog, go ahead, take a breath! 2 respected men, who each have 20 years of experience within the marine commandos. Go high for the rope! You don't need to lift your legs. Zero conviction! Let's start again!
• 05:30 - 06:00 To be an instructor at the course, you have to have a lot of perspective. Come on stand up, you look at the obstacle! You have to be able to lead people very high in their limit, hold them to a certain threshold, but prevent them from falling. First day, the instructors inflict on the students, a series of very physical tests. Ankle ! The goal ? Exhaust them from the start. So that they understand immediately that the bar is set very high.
• 06:00 - 06:30 It is a disaster ! 50 students passed, there are 8 who are average. We will have to recharge everyone because it’s not going there! Students are still in shock of these 4 hours of ordeal. The main master, Eric, wants to shake them. We are on day one. First activity. It looks good. It may be necessary feel concerned! You came here to make an assessment
• 06:30 - 07:00 at the commando course. You didn't come here on vacation. You have to get your fingers out, you have to hurt yourself, otherwise, you won't succeed! It is not possible. Is this understood? Yes, senior master! Who wants to continue? Who doesn't want to anymore? And already one student, Thiéblemont, gives up. Why don't you want to anymore? I don't have the level, I don't want not waste time. You won't waste my time, you're going to waste your time,
• 07:00 - 07:30 It's your time, not mine, I get paid for that! These people who want stop from the start, they understand well that the instructors won't make them stop. So there are two solutions. Either, they will suffer during the entire evaluation period, either, they cling to the wagons and rather than suffer, they tip over to the other side, they put their foot down
• 07:30 - 08:00 and there they go! So for now, no giving up possible for trainees. On the back. You join the ranks. As punishment, they start the journey again. We look ahead, we focus on the arrival and we no longer think about the obstacle. Mahavaury is 26 years old. He is a simple mechanic in the navy.
• 08:00 - 08:30 One day, he encountered commandos in transit on his ship and since then, he too wants to be an elite soldier. - How are you feeling ? - In good shape, head master! - You're hurt ? - Negative. - You don't hurt anywhere? - Nowhere. You are a mule! - You are strong. Do you want ? - Yes, senior master. You better. You understood ? You are my darling. Do not forget ! This is not true. I don't like you. Come on, go! He does this because he knows what he's doing.
• 08:30 - 09:00 He finds that I am a good example to follow. Without bragging, of course! The instructors are constantly in a double logic. They must both be the wall, facing which, the students will come crashing down. It's not looking at me You're going to get there! That's not how you are impress me! Far from there ! But on the other hand, it's a world that is so, complicated for students,
• 09:00 - 09:30 that there is an emotional connection which is created. There is one who will play the proximity, another who will play the distance. I'll leave you some to drink, to rehydrate you. - THANKS ! - It was nothing ! It contributes to the destabilization of the pupil. I left an internship because I wanted look like my instructor. When I went to look from my instructor for a manipulation, or something else when I was equipped, in his eyes, if I felt that I had done well and that I worked in all security was my pride.
• 09:30 - 10:00 The first 2 days were intense for the students. Some are already at the end of their nerves and it's not going to stop there. Come on, get lost, otherwise I turn off the hot water! Night was short. Come on, let's wake up! When getting out of bed, cleaning the mesh. This is the first and last hot water shower, to which the trainees will be entitled. At 8 a.m., start of the aquatic course. A crucial exercise for students.
• 10:00 - 10:30 Instructors must assess their physical abilities in the water, the favorite element marine commandos. Mahavaury, your model is dying! Mahavaury, like all the students, trained for months before joining this internship. Jogging, diving, swimming. As for a sporting event high level. But what matters above all here, it's not so much physical strength than force of will. I always look on the positive side, but once we have made our choice, we want to do it, we like it
• 10:30 - 11:00 and we will go to the end. And that's what makes the difference. Put your left foot down! Mahavaury, it's a little guy who is 1m65 tall and we realize that this little young person, he clings and he shows determination which is pretty fantastic. He doesn't think when we inject it on the obstacles, he puts everything he has, he gives everything he has.
• 11:00 - 11:30 Mahavaury, main master! Hurry up ! To close this third day, students pass an initiatory ordeal. The main master Eric imposes on them to empty the locker rooms, of all their affairs. Why isn't it ready? Throughout the duration of the internship, students must live without phones and without personal items. They will no longer have any contact with the outside world. This is another objective of the internship, deprive students of their familiar landmarks.
• 11:30 - 12:00 We leave our routine a little, our cozy bed, our hot meal morning noon and evening. We leave a lot of things to arrive in a world, where we have no free moment, where you have nothing for yourself. You do not lose the notion of comfort, you gain the notion of comfort, something is being taken away from you and when you find him, you will enjoy it multiplied by 20, by 30, by 40, by 50! No respite for the trainees.
• 12:00 - 12:30 A commando course is 24 hours a day. This night, the students start in an orientation walk, with an 11 kilo bag on his back. And as my only ally, a topographical map. Obligatory crossing point while walking, these markers that students must spot in the dark night, under the strict eye of instructors.
• 12:30 - 13:00 The goal of the exercise? Learn to retrieve information in enemy territory. This is one of the main missions marine commandos, in addition to never being caught off guard. What are you doing there ? Is it tactical to move along the wall ? No, senior master. No, but I do because I'm stupid! So if you're not stupid, you're going to react a little!
• 13:00 - 13:30 Shaving the walls is tempting at night. But it is a serious tactical error. The commando can easily fall in a trap. 3 hours later, we find Thiéblemont. They wanted to give up first day and there he finishes the exercise. You have to find motivation, you have to hang on, I continue. If I'm not told to leave, I stay, I hang on. Do you think you can get some sleep?
• 13:30 - 14:00 That's the problem. All night marches are made in such a way, that if the student and even the worst, do not achieve this in time, that there could be a minimum of sleep, to resume the next day's activity. Of course it's not easy, but there is nothing superhuman. From now on, students go to sleep outside every day, on the floor. But they are only entitled to a few barely hours of sleep.
• 14:00 - 14:30 In the middle of the night, we have to leave again. Dress yourself ! Sleep deprivation, a classic way to put students under pressure. This time again, the good student Mahavaury is the first to rise. Night walk with bags. It takes a lot of courage. We don't feel tired because we think about our goal
• 14:30 - 15:00 and that’s what gives us strength. This fifth day is off to a bad start. At dawn, collective punishment. The rangers who are not there in the morning at roll call, I do not tolerate. Come on, “ploof”! Students must dive in tubs of water.
• 15:00 - 15:30 Hurry up ! But the water is twelve degrees. Instructor Lulu takes care personally of the least awakened. Hands ! Stay a bit ! Hands ! We're waiting for it to soak in well. Do you see the bubbles? As long as there are bubbles, you stay. Entirely.
• 15:30 - 16:00 It's not too cold, it's okay. But, that's the game! Students must air dry, fully dressed and perfectly still. Stop shaking, it's 15 degrees. Stop shaking! For more than an hour they endure like real commandos, cold and humidity.
• 16:00 - 16:30 There is no sadism, even if we have the impression that it's this world which is unlivable, very hard, where people get hurt. The commando course is something something terribly human. If people approach the commando course, thinking that there is a sadistic spirit, They didn't understand anything about the training.
• 16:30 - 17:00 Make people endure, tests which are often not comparable with reality, it’s preparing them to avoid the worst, to protect themselves and above all to protect the community. To wake up the students, instructors test their reflexes by throwing a stun grenade. Not even five meters away! A deafening one, It bursts your ears! Do not stay ten meters away.
• 17:00 - 17:30 So, next time, we disappear! Three, two, one, zero! At the end of the morning, the students continue with a timed walk, of 12 kilometers. And from the start of the race... Come on, don’t hang around! The Thiéblemont intern struggling to keep up. If you start dragging your feet, you will wear out the rangers. You slow down, you haven't even started yet. Get those feet up!
• 17:30 - 18:00 The instructors don't give up not Thiéblemont in a single step. A running commando is a commando in training. The steps are essential training, to have a condition exceptional physics.
• 18:00 - 18:30 Still a good student, Mahavaury is in the lead. For others, things are getting complicated. What's wrong with your knee? - It's the back. - A pain ? Back blocked, second master. At the end of the peloton, Thiéblemont barely runs. You have no reason not to move forward! At 35 years old, Thiéblemont is the oldest of the group. Expert in satellite image analysis,
• 18:30 - 19:00 he would like to do this job within a group of commandos. Come on ! This is the arrival! And not before! Always so diligent, Mahavaury is one of the first to cross the finish line. - Mahavaury, main master! - What ? - Mahavaury, principal master. - That's good, man. Come on ! A few minutes to breathe. And to heal his wounds.
• 19:00 - 19:30 In the meantime, Schneider suffers martyrdom. I don't want you to stop! Come on ! Hurry up ! Schneider, he's completely washed out. Yet he is ahead. Come on, you go! Commander Pierre takes charge personally the student Thiéblemont. He's going to make the whole end of the race alongside him. Just go ! You are the oldest.
• 19:30 - 20:00 Do not stop ! Grit your teeth and go get them for me! Thiéblemont, come on, I don't want you to be last! In vain. Thiéblemont finishes the race dead last. Thiéblemont, principal master. Seriously injured, Schneider must, at the end of this race, leave the commando course.
• 20:00 - 20:30 Thiéblemont continues. But from now on, the instructors are not going to let him go. You kept some under your shoe, Thiéblemont? You're going to have to carry me. Your bag was nothing compared to it! 72 kilos. You have to take this, half day per half day, activity by activity, we must not stop at failure. I know that the instructor, even if he is hard, supports me. He would like me to succeed. He does this for the good of the student. You have to take it like that.
• 20:30 - 21:00 He is someone who has put a lot of determination, not to succeed. It's interesting. He had a blockage, I don't know what kind, who made it happen at the commando course, in a logic where he did not want not go very far. Sometimes the role of the instructor, He's there, we may have to mother him. I will put it in comparison, with a moment's sweetness,
• 21:00 - 21:30 so that he assimilates the thing. And then, if he didn't understand it, after two times, three times, you might have to shake it up. The gourd! The students barely time to breathe, that already, it's the inspection of the water bottles. Is that overflowing? Here, 2-3 mm are missing.
• 21:30 - 22:00 It is not like that that I showed. - You agree with me ? - Yes, second master. Val, give me your water bottle. This afternoon, instructor Lulu explained to his trainees, that for a commando who must survive in a hostile environment, every drop of water counts. Open your bottle now.
• 22:00 - 22:30 That's full to the brim. - You agree with me ? - Yes, second master. So next time, what will she be like? - Full to the brim. - THANKS. You can drink. Come on ! The rules have been dictated, it's the bottle to the brim, If you don't play the rules, you pick it up! But it's actually the whole group who will pick up.
• 22:30 - 23:00 Among the marine commandos, an individual fault, is a fault that is paid for together. You lose with yourself. The day you are in the desert, that you will just have your little water bottle but you won't have filled completely, you will be all alone with your Half a bottle full of shit! We can do without food, but we need water! And it won't be long before you to understand it.
• 23:00 - 23:30 But if there are those who want to lose, they can try, everyone will pick up! - It's clear ? - Yes, second master! Every time I go up to Lorient, I phone one of the people, who made me join the navy, who was my instructor, Patrick. And the ritual we will always eat at a restaurant together. He is 60 and something years old. He still has his piercing gaze and when he looks at me,
• 23:30 - 24:00 I'm always afraid of saying something stupid, or having done something stupid in my behavior. Despite my age and despite my return, I go to the restaurant with him, he takes the card, I never choose my menu. He said to me: “You take this, it’s good.” And I say, “Yes.” Knowing my character and my manner to function, I cannot refuse it. He is my instructor, I have enormous respect. He made me join the navy and I couldn't change this habit.
• 24:00 - 24:30 10th day. The main master, Eric, has a private lesson to pass on to students. Do you accept your mission or not? I accept. - Are you ready to take on the challenge? - Always. I want you to count me small pebbles, who are in your box and I want you to make me piles of 177. You know why ? The 177 soldiers, who landed on June 6, 1944.
• 24:30 - 25:00 Come on, get organized. I watch you do it. Loads of 177s. This time, it's not a punishment. These future green berets must commemorate the memory of the elders. 177. 177 stones, in memory of the 177 men of the Kieffer commando. On the morning of June 6, 1944, these French are the only ones to have landed on the beaches of Normandy, alongside the Americans and the British. Led by Commander Kieffer, trained the hard way
• 25:00 - 25:30 in a secret base in Scotland, these men made up the whole first marine commando unit, of the French army. There, look at him, it's marked on it, Navy commandos. There are people who died for this. Don't be ashamed to look at it. Be motivated, go get it. It's clear ?
• 25:30 - 26:00 - I do not hear anything ! - Yes, second master! Mythical, the history of marine commandos. Nothing has changed since the Second World War. The students complete the course commando, the reference route. And I believe that they will having to go deep down to find faith. Come on, let's get moving! We apply the technique, we have fun! The commando course is the most difficult. Come on ! The most cardiac.
• 26:00 - 26:30 Look up there. So. When we dissect the sequence obstacles, that looks like what you can find on the landing beach, with barbed wire, obstacles that we had to jump, grappling hooks that had to be sent. During WWII, they were exactly the same routes, except that the instructors in Scotland, fired live ammunition, under the students. Come on !
• 26:30 - 27:00 This course is timed. And above all, it is eliminatory. The next obstacle is called the Breton wall. It is inspired by fortifications of the Atlantic Wall, built by the Nazis to prevent the allied forces to disembark. The Breton wall, an obstacle deemed impregnable. We're pulling on his arms!
• 27:00 - 27:30 - What is it ? - My shoulder is out. Shit ! Piss off, damn it! Shit ! Holy shit. It's over for me! Stopped ! Come on ! After two weeks of intense efforts, the disappointment is terrible. So. Career collapsing, on the Breton wall.
• 27:30 - 28:00 A broken collarbone. For this student, This is the end of the commando training. The Breton wall indeed confirms his reputation. What makes you fear in this wall? The height ? It slips. Is it slipping? Normal for it to slip. It's wet. It's humid.
• 28:00 - 28:30 OK ? When we decided to go to the wall, here we go ! I go around. And there, the wall, I eat it! I'll eat it up the wall! As soon as I passed my shoulders, it's won! OK ? I want to see the rage in your eyes when you are facing the wall. I don't want to see defeat. Come on ! Come on, speed up! Eat it!
• 28:30 - 29:00 Do not lean on the pond. Come on ! The third will be the right one. You don't have the desire. You don't have faith. The faith, the determination to go at the end of the course. Students who failed the test will have to go get her, at the bottom of this pit. In the top, head underwater, weapon in the air. At the other top, we come out of the water. OK ?
• 29:00 - 29:30 Top ! And sometimes, finding faith, it may take time, a lot of time. Did I blow? Did I blow? So, let's put our heads under the water! Let's start again! You were a second away.
• 29:30 - 30:00 It’s stupid! This top time, This is the time the students need, to leave their limits at the bottom of the pit, before resurfacing, more determined than ever.
• 30:00 - 30:30 Now let's hurry to get past this fucking wall! Now that everyone found faith again, here we go! Come on, let's start again! Come on, don't slow down! Obviously, the method works. Accelerated ! For some people, as for the intern Brams, It seems a simple formality. Hurry up ! But for the student Thiéblemont, SO ? Do you have to show yourself or what?
• 30:30 - 31:00 Hurry up ! Faith is not really the appointment. Hurry up ! Move on ! You're not going to fall! Move on ! Come on ! Are you out of juice? Let yourself die then! Start again. let yourself die, a shock formula. The instructor wants to provoke something clicked at Thiéblemont. Start again. You are allowed three tries.
• 31:00 - 31:30 Third try. You see you're getting there! Failed again... Come on ! For the others, the ordeal continues, more technical and aerial, here is the Assault course. After a moment, everyone is tired and what takes over, it is the will. Raise your chest! We touch something very deep in the human being, his determination. Determination, will is linked to a given moment.
• 31:30 - 32:00 It must be maintained, it must be preserved, you have to use it. This is the third time I've tried. I never lost motivation. I'll try again to succeed. Boubo is 26 years old. And this time, he is definitely decided to see the adventure through to the end. On the courses, he does not allow himself not the slightest complaint,
• 32:00 - 32:30 not the slightest error. I like the violent effort. If we don't arrive completely exhausted on arrival, it’s that we didn’t give our all. Every time I did cross-country, upon arrival, I was vomiting. You have to hurt yourself. This is where we express to our full potential.
• 32:30 - 33:00 On the Assault course, Thiéblemont is living a nightmare. Instructor Lulu wants to give him a last chance. He keeps pushing him. Advance ! Don't let yourself die! No, it's not good! Don't lower your head! You look me in the eyes or you look at my badge. I have no recovery!
• 33:00 - 33:30 Because you don't apply the technique and you burn yourself on each obstacle. Obviously, you go through them 3 times! The Breton wall, you would have succeeded the first time if you had listened! Speed! Why do you get there when Are you soaked to the head? - For what ? - I have no explanation… Because you don't apply the technique ! He has the means, but he doesn't want to anymore. We have to make him see it. You have to push it a little. 3 hours late,
• 33:30 - 34:00 Thiéblemont completes the Assault course, but an unpleasant surprise awaits him. Stop there. You're not going to go any further. You won't come down. The internship ends for you. I will reunite you with the others and I will take you out. Angry, Commander Pierre brings together all the students. For the whole, rest! Get out of line. To renounce the obstacle, Thiéblemont you commit your security, so you take your bag,
• 34:00 - 34:30 you stand on the left. Pay attention, it will start to fall. The commando course is a mirror. When you open the door, it's one's own image that one sees. With its strengths and weaknesses. So, you correct your behavior on the course, you grit your teeth and move forward! Overall, watch out!
• 34:30 - 35:00 Rest. After two weeks of training, Thiéblemont is eliminated. He leaves without saying a word. I am convinced that he had the means to succeed. If he had put all the determination which he set to oppose obstacles, to cross them, he would have passed, he put himself in opposition and therefore, we can't do anything for him! We are in the third week. Of the 63 students at the start, there are only about thirty left.
• 35:00 - 35:30 The exercises are always more difficult. And bodies becoming more and more tired. This evening, the students perform their first tactical mission. They must simulate an infiltration in enemy territory. - They are posted. - Received !
• 35:30 - 36:00 The student Brams was designated, as responsible for the operation. At 21, he is one of the youngest of the selection. It's this one. We go in the direction of my arm, for about 50 meters. You take the road in a row. Ahead ! Concentrated, Brams begins already in the skin, of a marine commando on a mission. You have to be used to working under certain conditions. In Afghanistan or in a theater of operation, we may be led to have an operation that is about to start,
• 36:00 - 36:30 in the middle of the night, you have to be at all times, ready to go. This is really the basis of the fight. This is pure infantry combat. This is the basis. Students must learn to be autonomous. The instructors will not give them so no order. They will play a completely different role. We are your worst enemies tonight! From now on, instructor Lulu,
• 36:30 - 37:00 watch for the slightest facts and gestures of the students, on the lookout for an error that could compromise the mission. Observation without being seen, makes it possible to detect and analyze, because the students let go a lot more and we will see immediately, someone who stands out from the crowd, the one who will penalize others, which is not in the spirit of cohesion. The instructor spends a lot of time to observe without being seen.
• 37:00 - 37:30 The group must now organize themselves to take turns keeping watch. The objective: That each student can sleep minimally. - It's the same for everyone. - That works ! See you later. Gronen remains on his guard. He knows that a commando must resist to want to sleep. And that instructors can surprise them at any time. People are tired, wet. They want to sleep as soon as possible.
• 37:30 - 38:00 But I believe that for tonight, it's bad beginning. And quickly, the students commit a serious offense. 2 people made a mistake. The second master recovered 2 weapons. I think we'll pick up a little bit. So there, we did better. The guy was already in his underwear! Ready to change. And the gun on the ground. I arrive next to him, I look at him, he looks at me, I do this, I bend down and pick it up.
• 38:00 - 38:30 It doesn't shock them, but now, things are going to move! Second surprise, a simulation attack by the enemy. Pomegranate! Hurry up ! Don't you look happy? - No not at all. - For what ? Because I collected two weapons.
• 38:30 - 39:00 It is not normal. - It's serious ? - Yes ! Give up your weapon, an unacceptable fault for a marine commando. Get out of line. Come closer, my darling! Come closer, I won't run into you! No need, I'm going to work there! Quite simply. I'm not going to hit you, not slap you, but I'm going to work in your little head.
• 39:00 - 39:30 How are you ? You're good ? Are you dry? Are you very dry? Look at your comrades and tell them, how you were when I arrived. He will show you what he was like. Action ! Hurry up. GOOD. He prefers to be naked!
• 39:30 - 40:00 Is that professional? Is it the attitude of a fighter? Do you find that normal ? He finds it normal! I think about my face, I don't care about others! So here is... You had to sleep, we had to leave you alone. You played, you lost, quite simply. Head to the bathtub. Hurry up ! The punishment is always the same.
• 40:00 - 40:30 Except that at 5 a.m., water temperature is around ten degrees. As per usual, you have to resist the cold. This time, until daybreak. The next morning, the students did not sleep of the night. Your breakfast, a box sardines each, war bread
• 40:30 - 41:00 and as a gift I put you a fruit paste. I don't want to see anything anymore! Thank you, Senior Master! Hurry up ! Hurry up, tighten up! In a suit, I said. And I want to see all 30 boxes opened, consumed! - It's good ? - Yes, it gives strength.
• 41:00 - 41:30 Shut up. Who hasn't eaten sardines? Everyone likes sardines? - You don't like sardines? - No. - You haven't eaten any? - If. So you like sardines? You see, when we are hungry, we eat. Come on, trash! Now the trainees will having to face the tank.
• 41:30 - 42:00 Ice water and for some of them, it's hell. Combat swimmers are one specialties of marine commandos. Students must dive with a height of seven meters, in water at eight degrees. At this temperature, the risk hypothermia is high. Downstairs, Lulu provides security students.
• 42:00 - 42:30 Departure in pairs. We go out and you walk along the low wall. I pass above the zodiac. I continue, I swim. Here, an overturned zodiac. I pass under it without touching the zodiac. I go out, I go to the asparagus, direction the edge. End of the exercise, I shout my name. Water remains our priority area and our favorite field.
• 42:30 - 43:00 If tomorrow, on the open sea, without collection point, you fall into the water, by the time we find you, you must be able to get by, in very cold water to last as long as possible, so that we can come and pick you up. Stop shaking! Mahavaury and his teammate does not tolerate ice water well. To prepare them for the conditions real of a mission, they have to dive back into the tank and get used to the temperature. When I look at you, you stop. When I no longer look at you, you tremble!
• 43:00 - 43:30 Stopped ! Meanwhile, those who come to complete the exercise, still have to wait the other students in the cold. This is also the group spirit commandos. Suffer together. Come on ! You will be warm in the water. Hurry up ! Let's go !
• 43:30 - 44:00 But for Mahavaury, the ordeal turns into a nightmare. He even almost drowns. The instructors understood this, Mahavaury has a flaw. It's not that I don't like not water, but... It is not the same when you don't breathe, outside the water. You can't find your breathing?
• 44:00 - 44:30 Yes... Otherwise everything is fine. In reality, everything is bad. Mahavaury and his teammate are in the process to have a hypothermic attack. Mahavaury avoids complaining. He fears that this accident do not put him in danger during the training. He knows that a marine commando must be able to resist in water, even at low temperatures. Imagine, in nine weeks what can happen, be very good physically, mentally prepared
• 44:30 - 45:00 and then on a single incident, to have a doubt, this doubt which will reduce, your physical abilities, your intellectual abilities. There, he gets caught in it. Mahavaury and his teammate will stay for a few days, under observation in the infirmary, before knowing the fate who is waiting for them. Ready ? 3 minutes, like earlier, feet and fists.
• 45:00 - 45:30 Greet each other. 25th day of training. The instructors impose a new challenge for students. They must fight each other against others. Among the best, Riga. He is 26 years old and he is committed in the army, before retraining in the navy. In this profession, we discover ourselves always a little bit. I pushed the limits again. I discovered muscles that made me sore, where I had never had pain before.
• 45:30 - 46:00 Come on, take off your stuff and you come to see me. The goal is not to be first but to fight yourself and to always be stronger, to pass the tests that the instructors give us. - Is the nose good? - Yes. - The ribs? - It's good. There is never any animosity between the students. This morning they fought, now they must help each other. - What is that ? - A weather vane ! It's not a weather vane,
• 46:00 - 46:30 This is rating 135. She never knows which way is she going! Students will practice moving forward and helping each other through the mud. Get out of there ! Move your legs! You also need to learn to camouflage themselves. I only want to see your teeth! You are not allowed to smile when you're stuck in shit, the enemy will see you, if you smile! That's camouflage!
• 46:30 - 47:00 That ! We must disappear! Several days in the mud, you don't have to have your balls cut off, if you leave a tooth protruding the enemy will see you and it's over, he cuts them off for you and put them in your mouth! Yes second master! Move forward! During the exercise, one of the students dislocated shoulder. Who's the last one? I said on the stomach!
• 47:00 - 47:30 Come on ! Advance ! Brams will come and help him. Move forward! Instinctively, Brams applies a commando rule, never let a friend behind you. Help me get up.
• 47:30 - 48:00 For 3 hours, the students suffered together. In effort and in pain, the spirit of cohesion was born. That was the goal of this exercise. What did you come looking for? The green beret! 30th day of training. Friday morning, the atmosphere is tense. The instructional council is deliberating.
• 48:00 - 48:30 The first selection will take place. For Mahavaury, 2 hypothermia, this is an annoying point and we can't leave you pursue your commando assessment. The ax falls. At my command, take care of yourself ! Leaves the wise man for medical problems, Mahavaury.
• 48:30 - 49:00 For Mahavaury, it couldn't have gone any further. because he gave us 2 hypothermias, it’s unacceptable. So physiologically, there is something which is not compatible. So this is what makes that Mahavaury was ruled out. How will I do ? I'm losing my favorite! Are you kidding me ? How will I do ? I'm going to work on the side, body temperatures, all that.
• 49:00 - 49:30 No ! Stop working the temperature of the body, it does not happen. Unlike Koupin, but you, Commando, it's over. It's hard to see go young people like that. We have a threshold, It’s not a gift we give. Behind, we do the commando training, to serve in a commando unit. and to go do very specific actions. You have to work this failure, nourish it, rebuild and move forward.
• 49:30 - 50:00 This is the special tank called dry tank. This is where the commando trainees are going to spend the whole weekend. You should not take this as a punishment. The group will begin to sniff each other, to smell each other. They will learn collective breathing and this bond will be born between them. This is where they will start to learn the real job of future commando. Come on, we have to go! It's the first moment of rest for trainees. After 4 weeks totally exhausting,
• 50:00 - 50:30 they absolutely must recover on a physical and mental level. Hurry up ! Today, having seen their friends leave, it marks psychologically, it reinforces, it makes them want to go all the way, because they know that places will be expensive. Next week I think that there are some who will turn out well. The other objective of this weekend,
• 50:30 - 51:00 is to allow students to get to know each other. Because next week, finished the individual events, they will have to prove that they have a group spirit. The group is the importance of the internship. If the group is not formed or the group is not united, the group will not be able to move forward. There really must be nights, where everyone is wet, so that links, are formed like this. There are really good times to live, of cohesion,
• 51:00 - 51:30 of fraternity that we will never find not necessarily everywhere. Afterwards, you go to work operationally, you will be included in a group where everyone knows each other. You spend more time with the people you work with on mission abroad or elsewhere than with your own family. The solder is necessarily linked. You will experience the same fatigue tests, of endurance, of hunger, of thirst, not to sleep with the group,
• 51:30 - 52:00 what you have never experienced before. He will create links, that you will remember throughout your life. The group is important. Without a group, it doesn't exist. The weak will perish, the strong will remain. This is how I was welcomed on February 4, 1985, at the marine rifle school. Nothing superhuman in the evaluation. That means when you are 20 years old, we spit thunder from the front and we flash lightning from behind. My name is Marius, I made 22 years in the marine commandos.
• 52:00 - 52:30 You will glimpse the little ray of sunshine, which will perhaps allow you to access the commando course. You will see in this film all selection tests, future commando trainees, one of the famous courses the toughest in the world. You will follow me! My way of working is simple, a left limit, a right limit, those who leave this axis,
• 52:30 - 53:00 I put them back in line in my way. Marius is his nom de guerre and among the marine commandos, it's a legend. Regularly, Marius returns to school commandos from Lorient. This is where every 6 months arrive from the 4 corners of France, candidates for commando training. The selection lasts nine weeks.
• 53:00 - 53:30 With his expert eye, Marius will decipher each stages of this internship renowned among the most difficult in the world. This year it's the turn students from class 135, to prove themselves. The times have changed, men have changed. What has not changed in training of marine commandos, it is that the spirit remains. Same route, same requirement,
• 53:30 - 54:00 same ambition for these young trainees. Become one of the 600 commandos French navy, enter the very closed circle of this elite special forces unit. Marine commandos are capable of infiltrate behind enemy lines. Among their missions, hostage releases, information and fight against terrorism. Since the Second World War, the marine commandos are present on all conflicts, in the four corners of the planet. If you want peace, prepare for war.
• 54:00 - 54:30 Marine commando training, is a physical training, intellectual and psychological, to be projected on theaters of operations and in situations the most delicate. A commando is a man who passes by, where others do not pass. It's someone who gets up when others don't get up. Marine commandos are still the elite of the French army. It's part of the special forces. I have that in my skin. I want to do that. It's a goal that I set for myself.
• 54:30 - 55:00 Don't suffer when you're hungry, when we are cold, when we are thirsty, when we are in pain, we do not suffer. I want to do this extraordinary profession. Do something out of the ordinary, where you have to shoot each other, get your guts out. This is the only way that will lead to success. It's a bit of a myth and be part of it, It’s true that it’s a source of pride personal. Those who doubt do not pass not the obstacles. It's the head that will take you ahead. Overall, watch out!
• 55:00 - 55:30 There are many volunteers for very few elected officials. The students are between 18 and 35 years old. For several weeks, these 63 trainees will submit to a formidable selection. Among these young people, Lozachmeur, Lefevre. Boubo, Riga, Gronen and Brams. They will have to push their limits to have the right to carry, the legendary green beret. In the previous episode Special Forces,
• 55:30 - 56:00 you discovered, merciless trials, determined students, intractable instructors. We must disappear! If you spend days in the mud so as not to have your balls cut off, if you leave a tooth protruding, the enemy will see you and it's over! He cuts them off for you and he puts them in your mouth! Yes, second master! Some were left on the side of the road.
• 56:00 - 56:30 Let yourself die then! Others hung on. There were injuries. Disappointments. And moments of great brotherhood. But the commando training is far from over. For this second episode on the commando course, the trainees will undergo tests harder and harder. There are still five weeks left before the presentation of the famous green beret.
• 56:30 - 57:00 Start of the fifth week of training. Hurry up ! On the program this morning is a race on foot 30 kilometers, crossing Paris three times, with always the same rule, a bag on the back calculated to the nearest gram. What are you doing ? We weigh the bags, to check if they are not below eleven kilos. If there are more than eleven kilos, too bad for us! Like the others, Lefevre only slept 2 hours last night,
• 57:00 - 57:30 but he must prove himself on this race. He plays his place within of the commando course. Boubo is still so determined, but on this race, he has a disability. I have three broken ribs. You didn't realize that you had broken ribs? No, I grit my teeth. The march of 30 is not a harmless exercise. Commander Pierre clarifies the issue of this test to the trainees. Why do we take a 30 minute walk?
• 57:30 - 58:00 Because here, we do not produce suicide bombers. What is a suicide bomber? A suicide bomber is a guy who will carry out his action, in the opposing depth and to whom we have not inculcated techniques to get out of it. You, you are not suicide bombers, so, we explain how to get back in the opponent's lines, how to carry out your action, disorganize it and get out of it. The best way to get out of this, it is to be diluted in a tablet of 30 kilometers.
• 58:00 - 58:30 So, that’s a huge surface area! Is it clear to everyone? Yes, Commander. Are you motivated for this walk? Yes, Commander! Three, two, one, Let's go ! It's a very psychological walk. We have the weight of the bag, the equipment. The commando, its specificity in the field, is that he may be capable, during an exfiltration
• 58:30 - 59:00 or infiltration, to walk for a long time in extreme conditions. Students have 4 hours to complete these 30 kilometers. The test is eliminatory. The one who fails at the end of the course is excluded on the field of commando training. Boubo takes the lead of the peloton. Despite these three fractured ribs, he closely follows the instructor Eric which opens the race.
• 59:00 - 59:30 Far behind, Unroll! Enjoy the descent. The Lozachmeur intern is already in difficulty. Halfway, bodies suffer, but Lefevre does not let up the efforts. He knows that for now, it is not rated well enough.
• 59:30 - 60:00 Boubo is losing ground. His fractured ribs prevent him from breathing. Lozachmeur, last of the peloton, is out of breath. To avoid discomfort, a nurse provides something to regain strength. The other main principle of selection, the law of the jungle, it's, you're limping, you're dead! Afterwards, it's a problem of will.
• 60:00 - 60:30 Where some will explain to you that they have a light bulb, on the hand or foot and that mortgages all their chances of succeeding, others will explain that they have three broken ribs, but that poses no problem. It's a problem of will and determination. But nothing works. Lozachmeur fails to leave. Commander Pierre gives him a last chance. If you continue at this pace, it is the assured end. Come on !
• 60:30 - 61:00 If you stop, you will regret it. Shall I stop you, Lozachmeur? What do you want to do ? You want to move forward or do you want to stop? Answer me. Be a man, Lozachmeur. Answer me. I'll stop, Commander. We're going to walk to the infirmary. Commander Pierre will have tried everything. After four weeks of effort,
• 61:00 - 61:30 Lozachmeur leaves the commando training course. The other students are half an hour away from the end of the route. Boubo doesn't give up. His ribs are broken, but his determination remains intact. And despite his handicap,
• 61:30 - 62:00 It's good ! Come on man, it's good! He crosses the first the finish line. Even injured, he passed his test. He savors what looks good to a first commando victory. In an internship like in a class at school, there will always be people who are stronger than others. There is no a miraculous recipe. You have to prepare. Prepare yourself mentally and physically.
• 62:00 - 62:30 And get lucky too. It's part of life. There is a sentence that I quite like and that we keep in the navy throughout his navy, it is “to be and to last”. To be and to last. 20 minutes after Boubo, trainee Brams finishes his race. Come on, run! Get out! That’s a 100m you’re doing! Come on, raise your head!
• 62:30 - 63:00 Come on ! But Brams doubts his performance. Place level, I looked, I think I'm 13th, out of 27 at the start so I am in the first half, but it's not... Afterwards, it's mostly time which counts more than the place. I do not know at all. Me, I know that I was at the maximum, I couldn't do more.
• 63:00 - 63:30 For Lefevre, his performances were not enough. He will not continue the adventure. It was the third time that he was trying the commando course. The adventure ends, unfortunately. It feels weird. This is the third time we've tried. We miss and we say to ourselves, indeed, we are not made for that. Difficult to get eliminated after 4 weeks. But here, it's the rule! There is no room for failure. And you will see what will follow,
• 63:30 - 64:00 for the trainees who remain, there is interest, to be very strong! Sixth week of training. This evening, the students leave for a night walk. At least that's what they believe. A few kilometers away, the instructors had a surprise in store for them. Come on, get a foot on the truck.
• 64:00 - 64:30 Give me your names. It's time for the terrible coxing test. I believe, when we embark at commando training and when you are a trainee student, It's the biggest fear. Coking is quite simply the simulation of a hostage situation. It can be at any time.
• 64:30 - 65:00 You're going to get on your butt... The students will then be detained for 48 hours. Otherwise, you're going to pick it up, do you understand? It allows, in addition to all physical or theoretical tests, that the trainees undergo, to detect, in certain individuals, failures, or the ability to do this job. For 48 hours, the instructors take on the role of executioner.
• 65:00 - 65:30 Students, that of a prisoner of war. This is a first approach, of what the fact could be to be a prisoner, to be caught by the opponent, to submit to his law. The message we are trying to send to them to instill, the first, it's that when faced with someone determined who wants to make you talk, Jean Moulin, There are not a lot. So we talk quite easily.
• 65:30 - 66:00 And the second message, it's that in order not to speak, you must not get caught. Hooded, after an hour's drive, the interns will be embarked towards an island, a few kilometers Breton coasts. But during this muscular embarkation, one of the interns, Gronen, manages to escape to the supervision of instructors. He is the only one in his class to achieve this feat.
• 66:00 - 66:30 I was coming back from the pontoon and I saw two of them leave. I jumped on one, I tackled him to the ground. And I headed to the other who had taken off his hood. I ran it, but he ran very fast! I'm looking with a thermal camera. Could he have gone far? Yes, he could have gone far. In addition, his hood...
• 66:30 - 67:00 He took her away, so yes, he was able to go far. Does he have handcuffs? He is handcuffed. But if he discovered would it not be only half of the face, or anything, with the thermal camera, you see it. After a few hours, Gronen is finally spotted. The instructors told me that it was a good reaction. The commander told me that too,
• 67:00 - 67:30 but it's true that afterwards, it was one more element for me have it picked up during cogging. Were you punished? A little bit ! 2 hours late, Gronen joins the rest of the group.
• 67:30 - 68:00 The bodies are tired. Some take advantage of the short crossing to regain strength. Everyone knows it will be a long night. A few hours later, landing on the islet of Saint-Michel.
• 68:00 - 68:30 The instructors take it up a notch psychological pressure. Your mom ! We're going to go see your mom! She's going to come see you, your mom!
• 68:30 - 69:00 Stop shaking! The group is directed to a secret place, well known to marine commandos. Stick together, you are in the way, if you move, you are no longer on the path. Come on !
• 69:00 - 69:30 Place your feet firmly. But first, the trainees will have to walk in the forest, for more than an hour. Come on, stick! You let go of your friend! Pick it up!
• 69:30 - 70:00 To comply with the conditions actual detention, the interns will be locked up in a jail. They will have to wait the whole day, handcuffed, at the end of my tether, without eating or drinking. Before suffering all night muscular interrogations.
• 70:00 - 70:30 You think I'm going meet the standard? I do what I want. To avoid revealing the methods to future candidates, we are not allowed to film the aftermath of the coking. At the end of the interrogation, the coxing is not yet over. Knees on the ground.
• 70:30 - 71:00 After 36 hours, the hoods are finally removed. But the students retain the stigma of those hours spent handcuffed. Can't move your fingers? I can't get my fist to clench. Do it like this. Come on ! It will come. Come on ! Rub your hands! Come on, move your fingers, Go on !
• 71:00 - 71:30 Come on ! Like that ! Come on ! Come on ! No time to unwind, a new test awaits the students. Come on, you grit your teeth and leave.
• 71:30 - 72:00 They must chain with a boxing match. Finally comes the last coxing stage. You have to successfully complete an escape route. You come in, I open, you come in, I'll close it. In all cases, there is a way out. Let's go ! To the left.
• 72:00 - 72:30 Come on, send! While the first ones go down in the labyrinth, on the surface, other students continue to confront the sentry.
• 72:30 - 73:00 Plunged into darkness the most total, they have 1 hour to escape of the labyrinth. Your name ? Hurry up !
• 73:00 - 73:30 The Riga student is among the first to return to the surface.
• 73:30 - 74:00 Lie there. Lie down next to it. Get in the zodiac, put on the bra. And here we go. Before going up and down, on your left, at the level of the lamp post, there is a box,
• 74:00 - 74:30 you take everything that's inside and two bottles of water. Come on ! At the end of the coxing, small reward for students. A survival ration. The first in 48 hours. For Riga and his comrades, the ordeal is over.
• 74:30 - 75:00 The boxing, the apprentice's nightmare commandos is over, but they still have a formidable ordeal, Raid Ops 100 kilometers in 48 hours and I can guarantee you that it is not not a piece of cake. For 24 hours, the students have started, in the last test eliminatory, the Raid Ops. This is the seventh week of training. Of the 63 students, there are only 23 left.
• 75:00 - 75:30 For the first time, the students are completely independent, for 48 hours. They must walk night and day, travel 100 kilometers. Raid Ops has one objective, hit a target and deliver a shot. It can be compared to cherry on the cake. When the students arrive at Raid Ops, that means they followed before, the entire training,
• 75:30 - 76:00 operational education, to carry out Raid Ops. Raid Ops, we can compare it to an exercise It’s an exercise in synthesis. bringing together, everything that was seen as technical and as a procedure during the internship. The hours pass, the students are exhausted, physically experienced through these intense weeks. And even the best ones falter. We tend to fall asleep a little bit, even while walking.
• 76:00 - 76:30 And I think it will be especially tonight... After more than 24 hours non-stop walking, we will really feel signs of fatigue. Just a few meters further, Boubo and Brams, must take a break. Being a marine commando also means know how to manage your strength. And take advantage of the day to recover.
• 76:30 - 77:00 On the Raid Ops route, students must demonstrate their ability to move forward quickly and to respect certain crossing points, with once again as the only tool, a map. The crossing points on the Raid Ops course, are marked by tags and there is no question of avoiding one.
• 77:00 - 77:30 It's normal that you are at number 6, if you haven't found number 5? Is it normal or is it... Is it normal or not? No. In reality, if you don't find, partisan contact, Are you still infiltrating? Each tag actually represents a partisan contact, which allows the commando to advance in enemy territory. Bunch of cheaters! Missing a beacon, it compromises the mission.
• 77:30 - 78:00 They will have to do seven kilometers more, because instructor Lulu decides to punish them. It's their fault! A few kilometers away... It hurts ? You had to be treated! It's Boubo who gets caught. To avoid risking to be excluded from the internship, he did not treat his wounds in time. For a commando, it's a mistake which can be expensive. It's very delicate,
• 78:00 - 78:30 because a lot of pressure for the student. At no moment, he does not know personally, where he is in terms of scoring. And if his conduct, to Raid Ops is valid or invalid. Far ahead of others, Riga and his teammate. I don't know how far away we are. But I know we have a lot kilometers in the legs. And the feet begin to be very painful. Until the end of the course and until the finality of the Raid Ops,
• 78:30 - 79:00 he still doesn't know whether it will be patented or not. You've been walking for 24 hours already. How much time is left ? Just over 12 hours to finish. It's the same, if we catch up with friends, we double them. And as there are a certain number of you, to have passed since, that's it... Did you see the trick? Like this they think,
• 79:00 - 79:30 that they are not first, quite simply. - But they are first? - They are the first. Among the marine commandos, even the best should never rest on their laurels. Throughout your training in the navy, we teach you something. The word "humility" is associated with personal success. We teach you that each small victory, is yours.
• 79:30 - 80:00 36 hours after the start of the mission, Riga and his teammate, arrive first. And they have the victory all the more modest, that they are totally exhausted. I couldn't take it anymore. It was about time we arrived. It feels good. My feet are completely stoned. And in terms of energy, it was fine.
• 80:00 - 80:30 But, it's really the feet... 1 hour later, Riga and his teammate, Boubo and Brams cross the finish line. They will join the others for a first night in the shelter, but still without a bed. The next morning, the students must return to the Lorient base for the shooting test. - That's it, it's over ? - Yes ! It feels good !
• 80:30 - 81:00 Like the other interns today, Gronen has a little trouble walking. Everyone gathers to board. Walking at night is exercise classic for commandos. We live at night, but we also live in water. You will see about the interns, punishments at water level, it's part of the game. Before being a commando, Lulu endured the same tests as the students. He knows full well that holding standing today for the group,
• 81:00 - 81:30 is not fun. Who has really sore feet? Raise your hand. Who walked with his paws for 3 days ? Why you walked with your wading? The rangers were wet. Wet, damp rangers. A fighter who no longer has feet, he is no longer a fighter, it's a ball. New tactical foul for the students. New punishment.
• 81:30 - 82:00 Students must dive in water at twelve degrees. Once again, this punishment in the water, has a direct link with tradition de rigeur among marine commandos. Its origin goes back to the Second World War when a French commander, Philippe Kieffer,
• 82:00 - 82:30 decides to form an elite troop to prepare them for disembarkation of June 6, 1944. He trains his men in a base secret located in Scotland. When he received these volunteers French in Scotland, when people got off the train, the French volunteers, who had perhaps crossed the English Channel on a boat, weathering the storms, German patrols, or who had rallied on their own means by Spain, England, once they were got off the train,
• 82:30 - 83:00 they started with a 10 mile walk. If he wasn't on time, he wasn't eating. These people came to fight. Will, determination, liberate France. And they began their training like this.
• 83:00 - 83:30 Back to base. Hurry up ! Back off! Lean on your bag. Return your bag. To end the Raid Ops, the trainees will deliver a shot. Hurry up !
• 83:30 - 84:00 There is a tactical goal, they are going to deliver a shot, to demonstrate this will to fight. We don't do 100 km to the pleasure of running 100 km, we do 100 km because behind, we have a very special mission and we must succeed. So Raid Ops is a bit, openness to training who will start behind. Come on ! I ask you to be vigilant.
• 84:00 - 84:30 Is this understood by everyone? Yes, senior master! It's the last week of training. Today will take place the final test, a non-eliminatory event which allows for students to put into practice, everything they learned during the commando training. - How are you ? - How are you ! The Synthesis Raid, it's a bit like a real first commando mission.
• 84:30 - 85:00 It is true that throughout the internship, we got used to it, to other types of raid with conditions, much calmer and more pleasant for us, we will say. And there, for once, we really, special conditions, which also shows us that a raid, it's not necessarily easy. That we can take full advantage of it, that we can turn around,
• 85:00 - 85:30 that it is not easy. Sometimes at night, with rain, a rough sea, these are conditions, which totally change the situation... And it's not at all the same thing than usual. After a crossing by a stormy sea, an infirmary point is necessary. - You ! - I have neck pain. You have neck pain, what do you mean? Cervical and shoulder. Are you able to move? I can move my head, but it bothers me.
• 85:30 - 86:00 And the shoulder too when I move. How did you do that? I took a boat when they were towed a boat passed above ours. And where did you type? In the back, I took it 2 times on the head. The day begins. The students got into place. Instructor Eric comes to inspect the bivouac. And already...
• 86:00 - 86:30 What is that ? - Who is this for? - To the shift guys. - Where are they ? Who just took shift? - It's me. And you leave the radio like that? The radio is on the floor, That’s his role! The radio, like the weapon, is the fighter's raison d'être. To forget it is to put yourself in danger all the other commandos. Why are you in the passage? Get up and come here! Second mistake.
• 86:30 - 87:00 I am a walker, I'm looking for mushrooms, I go over the embankment, I arrive here, what do I do ? Well, I'll go that way. There, I want to go that way. I see a tree trunk there, Where am I going to go? This way and what's going on? He's walking all over you! The most difficult at the end, it's the accumulation,
• 87:00 - 87:30 it's been 8 weeks that we are on internship and we didn't stop. To be able to breathe a little, It won't hurt, I think. Finally, students can rest for a few hours and eat a hot meal. Later in the night, You will be the leader of your team. On a synthesis raid, the leader coordinates the action of around ten men. Its mission: distribute the roles and ensure that the team,
• 87:30 - 88:00 respects deadlines, procedures and the sequence of action phases. Only the best are chosen to fulfill this role. If we leave early, that leaves us almost 1 hour to do the action. Take the charges. And this time, the action, is to go plant explosives, on a specific target. We have a real role, it's going to be more interesting than following as a simple teammate. After, there is more pressure because...
• 88:00 - 88:30 we have the whole mission to manage, if it goes well, that's great, otherwise it's more problematic. It involves a little no more fatigue. When I'm a chef, I'm more tired at the end of the mission. Because of what ? Stress and then desire to do well. So we are at 200% during the whole mission. Before starting the mission, the Riga team rehearses technical gestures.
• 88:30 - 89:00 The notion of danger, it is part of the education. We explain to them, when people are willing to a commando course, we explain to them that if tomorrow they succeed, tomorrow they will arrive operational and they will be led to do special missions, special missions, with all the risks that this entails. But just like the person,
• 89:00 - 89:30 which comes from civilian and who is going to join the army. Except that as a marine commando, compared to troops conventional, or other troops, they will be much more exposed.
• 89:30 - 90:00 The mission is successful for the Riga team, but a new surprise awaits the students.
• 90:00 - 90:30 A simulation of grenade fire, which forces them to leave on foot through the fields. Come on, hurry up! Every mission is difficult. Every time you prepare a mission, you study all the cases non-compliant and you take the worst into account. Tonight the worst wasn't planned by the trainees. The Riga team will have to cross at night, a steep cliff for reach base camp.
• 90:30 - 91:00 The next day, it's official.
• 91:00 - 91:30 After 9 weeks of effort and suffering, the commando course is over. Normally, it's over. We are on schedule. Smile because if all goes well, tomorrow, it's good and it's over. And tomorrow is just happiness. Normally ! Today, which justifies the existence of marine commandos, they are simply the adversaries facing the nation,
• 91:30 - 92:00 French society and the country, quite simply. If we take the analogy with a human body, we could think that the navy commandos, are today antibodies, who oppose the virus of terrorism. Have a tool like the marine commandos in our society today, if I had to answer like this questions to people, I will tell them to look information. The tool of marine commandos, is a powerful, well-established tool,
• 92:00 - 92:30 trained and ready for any mission. At the end of the nine weeks, the students believe they have arrived at the end of their sorrows. What they don't know, is that once they have the beret, it will be necessary regularly question it. In parallel with the commando training for the students, is taking place another internship. You are all savvy commandos. Today you are here to know where you are
• 92:30 - 93:00 and above all acquire a mention. More technical and even more difficult. This course should allow 20 commandos experienced marines, to prove themselves to become a group leader. They are all operational. They must therefore remain anonymous. Instructor Lulu comes by hello to his colleagues. The Victor commando was present on the beginners’ course, A week ago. Today, he's not doing well despite his experience.
• 93:00 - 93:30 Do you look relaxed? Relaxed ? I look like ! No more than that ! You have to warm up well. See you again later. - Is this just a facade? - Yes. There is always a little apprehension... You shouldn't be too sure of yourself. These experienced men will have to go through classic tests again, eight kilometer walk,
• 93:30 - 94:00 rope climb, obstacle course, aquatic course. You have to be a masochist!
• 94:00 - 94:30 How to turn yourself upside down in 10 minutes! It's hard to find yourself on the other side of the fence? It's in the head! In the morning, you tell yourself that you are going pick up all day. Whereas 2 weeks ago, it was you who were on the other side... It never ends! Even among the most experienced, those who do not have the condition physics must give up. Commander, for me, it's over. I can't hold on anymore! My hernia woke up last night.
• 94:30 - 95:00 In the back ? Yes, it radiates all the way down. I wanted to believe until the end, but there... I gave a lot for the walk and for the week, it won't do it at all. It's difficult ? Psychologically, yes because there is a page that turns. I thought I would go all the way and then, that’s not possible. So there is a page who turns for me. What does it mean ? Concretely this means... The green beret...
• 95:00 - 95:30 I'll leave it in the drawer. But some do not accept abandonment. I hardly understand it. When we want we can ! But at some point, the body gives up... It is certain that at 40 years old, the body no longer follows as expected. To do the activities we do, what we ask, the body holds. Look at me ! Indeed, among the Green Berets, the rule is strict. Whatever its level, the one who does not succeed in these internships,
• 95:30 - 96:00 must leave the marine commandos. And now, the day that all the trainees are waiting, the beret presentation ceremony. For me it's a day that I will never forget. For them, I leave you the care to appreciate. 65th day.
• 96:00 - 96:30 It's the big day. Only 23 students arrived at the end of the 9 weeks of internship, having overcome all obstacles, overcome all challenges. In front of their families, in front of their friends, they will receive the emblem Marine commandos, the precious green beret. We come out of such an ordeal, grew up and we won, in self-knowledge. You are another man.
• 96:30 - 97:00 - I'm sure it will go well. - Thank you, Commander. If I take my personal case, this is the first time in my life, that I was valued, that I had the impression that I was useful for something, that I was someone and that I belonged to a family. And green berets are sometimes truly a family story. The beret is given by his father, Mr. Grenelle, former commando.
• 97:00 - 97:30 Second master Boubo, the beret is given by his brother, Mr Patrick Brendel, former commando. A family. A big family,
• 97:30 - 98:00 who knows all the better which dangers now run, these new members marine commandos. The risks are there and you go ahead, maybe you will be... one of those who will return in plastic bags. Maybe it's crude to talk like that, but it's like that. Despite the risks, everyone of these 23 new green berets, knows that their commando adventure just started. From now on, they can go on a special operation in the four corners of the planet.
• 98:00 - 98:30 After this beret presentation, we can't talk about operations. There is a duty of reserve, we don't talk about that. We drag our butts, over most of the planet.
• 98:30 - 99:00 And even to our families, we don't tell them where we are. It's not on camera or for a report, that I am going to tell... When you go on a mission, as you prepare,
• 99:00 - 99:30 despite all the training that you have, you are warned that you risk something. The reality is always harder than training. What if I was scared? Fortunately that I was afraid. Because if we are not afraid, we are not normal. Of course we're afraid, like everything the world, like every human being.
• 99:30 - 100:00 The number one rule at the marine commandos, 100% mission success and return of staff, at home 100%. Despite the risks, despite the losses, a green beret keeps throughout his career, passion for his profession. Give me my 19 years, there, snapping his fingers,
• 100:00 - 100:30 I'm going back, I do exactly the same thing again. So !