Gina Johnson
The British Royal Marines are an elite military unit, and their training is no easy feat. With 32 weeks of basic training, it is an intense and challenging process that pushes recruits to their limits. One interesting fact about the Royal Marines is that they tend to sleep naked, a practice referred to as going commando. This tradition is not about comfort but is rooted in hygiene practices. By sleeping without underwear, the Marines prevent the build-up of bacteria and the spread of illnesses in their often close-quarter living environments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for sleeping without underwear | Hygiene |
| Alternative term used | "Going commando" |
| Other military cultures where the practice is uncommon | US military culture |
| Reasons for maintaining hygiene | To prevent the spread of illnesses and bacteria |
| To avoid providing a breeding ground for bacteria |
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What You'll Learn
- Hygiene: Avoiding bacteria and illnesses in tight berthing areas
- Comfort: Reducing discomfort from sweating and skin flakes
- Laundry: Not sleeping in underwear means less dirty laundry
- Culture: Going commando is a unique aspect of Royal Marines culture
- Work: Sleep is prioritised due to the physical demands of the job
Hygiene: Avoiding bacteria and illnesses in tight berthing areas
Hygiene is a critical aspect of military training, and it becomes even more important when personnel are living in tight berthing areas. In such close quarters, illnesses and bacteria can spread rapidly from person to person. To mitigate this risk, it is essential to maintain good personal hygiene, including regular showering, especially before bedtime.
However, even with diligent showering, the human body continues to perspire and shed dead skin cells during sleep. These bodily fluids and skin flakes can be trapped in underwear or pyjamas, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. By sleeping without underwear, Royal Marines avoid creating an additional layer of clothing that can absorb these emissions and then be worn again, potentially spreading bacteria.
Furthermore, sleeping in underwear can lead to a build-up of laundry, which may not always be feasible to wash regularly, especially in the field or during deployments. By forgoing underwear, Royal Marines can maintain better hygiene by reducing the number of soiled garments and minimising the potential for bacteria to fester and spread.
While it may be unconventional to some, the practice of sleeping without underwear among Royal Marines is a practical measure to enhance hygiene and reduce the risk of bacterial infections in their unique living environments. This practice aligns with their rigorous hygiene standards and helps maintain the health and readiness of the troops.
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Comfort: Reducing discomfort from sweating and skin flakes
Hygiene is a critical aspect of military training, and it is common knowledge that military personnel are often housed in tight berthing areas where illnesses and bacteria can spread quickly. As a result, most service members are taught to shower before bed to maintain cleanliness throughout the night.
However, it is natural for people to sweat and shed skin flakes while sleeping, which can cause discomfort and create an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive if the same underwear or pyjamas are worn again without washing. By sleeping without underwear, British Royal Marines reduce the risk of bacterial growth and potential infections. They also avoid the discomfort of sleeping in sweaty and flaky clothing, ensuring a more comfortable and restful sleep.
Additionally, going commando reduces the amount of laundry, as the underwear or pyjamas worn during the day can be worn again without needing to be washed after just one night's sleep. This practical approach to hygiene and comfort is unique to the British Royal Marines and has not yet been widely adopted by the U.S. military.
While it may take some getting used to, sleeping without underwear can provide several benefits, especially in close-quarter living situations. It is a practice that prioritises hygiene, comfort, and efficiency, all of which are essential considerations for military personnel operating in challenging environments.
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Laundry: Not sleeping in underwear means less dirty laundry
The British Royal Marines are an elite military unit, and their basic training is designed to push recruits to their limits. Hygiene is a significant focus of their training, and they are taught to maintain high standards of cleanliness. As part of this, they are instructed to shower before going to bed. However, everyone sweats during sleep, and wearing underwear or pyjamas can trap this perspiration, along with dead skin cells and body fluids, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Sleeping without underwear helps to address this issue by reducing the amount of laundry that needs to be done. If underwear or pyjamas are worn to bed, they cannot be worn again without washing, contributing to a larger pile of dirty laundry. By forgoing underwear, the Royal Marines can keep their clothing and bedding cleaner for longer, reducing the overall laundry burden.
This practice is particularly relevant when the Royal Marines are deployed in tight berthing areas, where illnesses and bacteria can spread quickly among personnel in close quarters. By minimising the potential for bacterial growth on their clothing and bedding, the Marines can help maintain their health and the health of their comrades.
While it may be unconventional, sleeping without underwear is a practical solution for the Royal Marines, helping them maintain hygiene, reduce laundry demands, and ultimately support their operational effectiveness. This practice reflects their commitment to excellence and their willingness to adopt unconventional methods to achieve their goals.
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Culture: Going commando is a unique aspect of Royal Marines culture
Going commando is a unique aspect of Royal Marines culture. Hygiene is a significant aspect of the Royal Marines' training, and they are taught to shower before bed to remain as clean as possible throughout the night. However, sleeping without underwear is not just about comfort; it is about hygiene. When people sleep, they perspire and shed dead skin cells, creating a breeding ground for bacteria in the clothes they slept in. By going commando, the Royal Marines avoid holding these juices and skin flakes in the clothes they will later wear.
This practice is especially important given the close-quarter living conditions that military personnel sometimes face, which can contribute to the quick spread of illnesses and bacteria. While it may be unusual to those outside of the Royal Marines, going commando is a practical and hygienic choice for this highly elite group.
The culture of the Royal Marines is also characterized by other unique aspects, such as their use of "Jackspeak," a Naval lingo where toilets are referred to as "heads," and steak-and-kidney puddings as "babies' heads." Their lockers are also said to be a "chipboard gateway to the soul," often containing not only the expected military gear but also items like Lycra dresses, tutus, togas, and superhero capes.
The Royal Marines' culture is also known for its intense physical and mental challenges, with basic training lasting 32 weeks to turn civilians into elite commandos. This training includes enduring physical discomfort, such as sleeping in spiky gorse bushes, and pushing the body to its limits, where speed eating becomes a survival instinct, and leaving food is taboo.
Overall, going commando is just one aspect of the unique and challenging culture of the Royal Marines, a group known for their discipline, resilience, and, yes, their unconventional sleepwear choices.
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Work: Sleep is prioritised due to the physical demands of the job
The job of a Royal Marine is an extremely physically demanding one. Basic training alone is an arduous process, and the physical challenges only increase from there. As a result, sleep is highly prioritized when downtime is available.
During training, Royal Marines are pushed to their absolute physical limits. Mark Time, a former Royal Marines Commando, described the experience as follows: "Think of the hardest thing you could ever do—then double it." Training involves enduring uncomfortable and physically taxing conditions, such as lying in spiky gorse bushes and being scraped by twigs, leaves, and branches.
Once they are deployed, the physical demands of the job continue and even intensify. Royal Marines often operate in challenging environments, navigating brutal and unfiltered surroundings. They may find themselves in close-quarter living situations, where illnesses and bacteria can spread quickly.
Given the physical intensity of their work, sleep becomes a crucial component of recovery. It is during sleep that the body repairs itself, reducing fatigue and restoring energy levels. Recognizing the importance of sleep, Royal Marines prioritize creating optimal conditions for rest.
One aspect of optimizing sleep involves maintaining proper hygiene. Royal Marines are taught the importance of showering before bed to minimize the risk of bacterial growth and the spread of illnesses. Sleeping without underwear is an extension of this hygiene-focused mindset. By forgoing underwear, they prevent the accumulation of sweat and skin flakes in their clothing, reducing the potential for bacterial growth. This practice ensures that their uniforms remain relatively cleaner and helps maintain overall hygiene, which is essential when access to laundry facilities may be limited.
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Frequently asked questions
Royal Marines tend to sleep naked to prevent the spread of illnesses and bacteria in tight berthing areas.
In America, going without underwear while sleeping is jokingly called "going commando".
Basic training for the Royal Marines is 32 weeks long and is said to be extremely challenging, both physically and mentally.
