A WEST Devon man was proud to receive the coveted Green Beret after successfully completing 32 weeks of the hardest initial military training in the world.
William Ring, 23, from Tavistock has now become a British Royal Marines Commando. He passed out at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone with 127 Troop on September 30.
William has now joined 42 Commando, based at Bickleigh Barracks and soon to be returning from an arduous six-month tour of Afghanistan.
He said: 'This has been a life-changing challenge of mental and physical endurance, but it feels great to get to the end and get my Green Beret.'
The distinctive hallmark of a Royal Marines Commando is the Green Beret. It indicates to others that the wearer has undergone gruelling and physically demanding tests of endurance, by displaying the Commando qualities of unselfishness, cheerfulness under adversity, courage, determination and high professional standards.
'It has been a fantastic experience and it doesn't stop here — when I join 42 Commando I could deploy anywhere in the world,' William added.
The Royal Marines form 3 Commando Brigade, which is a core component of the United Kingdom's Joint Rapid Reaction Force.