Throughout training at CTC (Commando training centre) Royal Marine recruits will have a variety of words thrown at them,

courage, determination and physical and mental robustness are only but a few examples which make up the Royal Marine state of mind. These simple words will be a part of recruits though out training and beyond in their careers. However how well do recruits know what these words mean in particular mental and physical robustness which they come face to face with on a daily basis, the aim of this essay is to delve into the realms of mental and physical robustness and explore what state of mind is required for Royal Marines in training and what extemporarily examples of physical and mental robustness has been demonstrated over the cores prestiges history.

First you must understand what robustness is, it can be broken into two categories physical and mental robustness. Physical robustness is when an individual is suited to physical strength or endurance ( ). Whereas according to the World Health Organisation there is not one official definition of mental robustness as competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined ( ). In reference to the Royal Marines the most prominent definition to mental robustness is an individual showing psychological resilience ( ). A key example of mental resilience is being motivated when its cold and pouring down with rain living out of a Bergen for days and/or giving staying calm and giving orders under extreme situations. However what is more important for a Royal Marine to have more physical or more mental robustness or is it a simple case of a fifty, fifty split. With reference to the World Health Organisation mental health is a fundamental element of the resilience, therefore without that mental robustness a Royal Marine will struggle to push those physical boundaries.

There are many key examples of physical and mental robustness shown over the cores history from the very early regiments all the way to the present day with the fight against international terrorism. This shows that the term robustness is not a new phrase in the core its roots run deep along with the rest of the cores ethos and beliefs. These beliefs may explain why for such a small organisation there has been 7 Victoria Cross Winners who have all demonstrated in their own unique way physical and mental robustness to overcome challenging and extraordinary situations. An example of this was Corporal John Prettyjohns the first VC Winner who on 5 November 1854, during the Battle of Inkerman, was ordered to clear caves however him and his men sent to clear the caves soon found that there ammunition was nearly depleted. Just to add to the situation more enemy forces were making their way up to Prettyjohns location, Prettyjohns was quoted as saying

Well lads, we are just in for a warming, and it will be every man for himself in a few minutes. Look alive, my hearties, and collect all the stones handy, and pile them on the ridge in front of you. When I grip the front man you let go the biggest stones upon those fellows behind .

Prettyjohns gripped the first man and threw him over upon the men following, which was followed by a barrage of stones forces the enemy to retreat. This example shows Prettyjohns tough mental resilience by despite being depleted ammunition and with the enemy advancing he was able to keep a clear state of mind and workout a clear plan to overcome the advancing enemy what further more shows his strong mental robustness he put himself on the forefront of the plan taking on the enemy first, leading by example. Another VC Winner who won his award demonstrated tough physical robustness in the face of adversity was Lieutenant George Dare Dowell who during the course of June 1855, he was repeatedly engaged with the enemy the most prominent engagement came on the 12th June 1855 where he was to receive his VC. He unselfishly along with three volunteers rowed a boat through a strip of water while under heavy fire to the assistance of an allied vessel to rescue the crew; he made several trips picking up crew members. This thus demonstrates a strong physical robustness

In conclusion