PAUL Drew of Bream is close to realising his great ambition – earning the famous green beret of a Royal Marines Commando.

As a soldier attached to the Royal Marines Reserve in Bristol, every challenge has had to be met in his spare time from a pressured civilian job as a petroleum geologist with an oil and gas consultancy.

As an additional complication, Paul's work has been based in Nottingham in recent months, which has meant commuting from there for 18 months of Wednesday nights training as well as for the demanding weekend programme of physical training, all-night exercises and military skills. 

Paul, 31, and the 2010 intake from Bristol, have been busy recently completing their phase two training at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre, Lympstone, near Exeter. One hurdle remains – the final commando test, including a nine-mile speed march, the Tarzan assault course and, at the end, a 30-mile 'yomp' across Dartmoor, all carrying full fighting order. 

"It's been a hard slog," Paul admits.  "But this is a challenge I always wanted to take up – and would have done years ago but for career and other considerations.

"It's difficult at times motivating yourself to set off for training after a full week at work. But it's fine once you are back with what has become a really tight-knit troop who enjoy being together."

For those ambitious enough to give the training a try, presentations are planned on July 4 at RMR Bristol and at its detachments in Cardiff, Lympstone, Plymouth and Poole. 

"Recruits must be focused, disciplined and motivated," says Sergeant Taff Lawrence, RMR Bristol's permanent staff instructor. 

"We don't expect them to turn up on day one as the world's fittest blokes. Stage by stage, we will build them up."

For more information about RMR Bristol, email rmrbristol-recruiting@ mod.uk or call 01179 733523.