The original Camp was built in 1939 for the training of Reservists on the expansion of the Corps before the Second World War. It was called the Royal Marines Reserve Depot (RM RD), Exton.

In 1940 most 'Hostilities Only' recruits were trained at Lympstone, whilst regular recruits and 'H0s' destined for sea service were trained at the Divisions. Towards the end of the war the Commando School at Achnacarry closed down and re-opened as the Royal Marines Training Group (Wales) at Towyn. During the immediate post war years, the Officers' and NC0s' Schools were also moved to Lympstone, as was more recently all Commando and Specialist Training.

Consequently, the majority of the Corps Military and Specialist Training is now concentrated at the one establishment, finally re-named the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in 1970.

The role of CTCRM is to train officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines in all stages of Infantry and Commando skills. This includes basic and advanced field training, NCO promotion courses and specialist qualification courses for most specialisations in the Corps.

To carry out this role CTCRM has five separate Training Wings, The functions of these Wings are outlined in the following paragraphs:

Officers' Training Wing is responsible for the training of all Royal Marines Young Officers (Y0s) Foreign and Commonwealth Officers, and for the post commissioning training of Royal Marines Special Duties (SD) Officers. It is also responsible for sponsoring and training cadets and bursary holders at University and for providing assistance to Royal Marines Reserve Units (RMR).

Young Officer training for both Short Career Commission and Full Career Commission Officers lasts for 2 years, of which 14 months is spent at CTCRM. The aim is to develop the qualities necessary for Y0s to hold commissioned rank and to train them to command a rifle troop of some 28 NC0s and men in an operational commando unit. Much emphasis is placed on leadership and character development and the need for team work.

On completion of training at CTCRM the Foreign and Commonwealth Officers usually return to their respective countries to take up positions within their own Armed Forces.

The SD Officer Course is for those non-commissioned officers who have been selected for commissioned rank. They undergo a 16 week course to prepare them for duties, normally of an administrative nature in any Royal Marines unit. The course utilizes their previous military experience and further develops their written and oral skills whilst giving them a sound background in Army and Naval Stores Systems and general officer and stores management skills.

University Cadet Entrants and Bursaries attend an initial 3 week training package at CTCRM prior to going to university and then on 2 further occasions each year until they graduate, After graduation they join CTCRM as commissioned officers and start the full training cycle with a batch of YOs.

Officers' Training Wing is called upon to use its training expertise from time to time in the training of RMR Units.

Infantry Support Wing consists of the Platoon Weapon (PW) Troop, Assault Engineer (AE) Troop, Heavy Weapons (HW) Section, Field Support Troop, PT Troop and Drill Troop. It also has the RN and RM Sports Parachute Association under administrative command.

The Wing has the following roles:

Non-Commissioned Officers' Training Wing is responsible for training all Royal Marines NC0s and Marines to hold their next substantive rank. This remit covers Regular, Royal Marines Reserve and Royal Marines Band Service NC0s.

The training is carried out at 4 levels:

Commando Training Wing is responsible for the training of all recruits who wish to become Royal Marines. The training syllabus is 30 weeks long, the longest basic infantry training course in NATO. Most recruit troops contain some Junior Marines who are under IS years old on joining and the average size of a troop is approximately 50.

The Wing is split into 3 companies; Portsmouth, Chatham and Plymouth. The first 2 are concerned directly with the training of the recruits and Plymouth Company administers all those permanent staff who are involved with the training process.

Training in Portsmouth Company lasts for 15 weeks and teaches the individual skills needed to turn a civilian into an infantryman. Subjects covered at this stage include drill, weapon training, physical training in the gym, map reading, first aid, and nuclear, biological and chemical warfare.
The training is progressive and is designed to instil a high standard of self discipline and professional ability - this is regularly tested during the 5 field exercises undertaken in this period.

When the recruits progress to Chatham Company, which conducts the second 15 weeks of training, the emphasis changes from individual skills to pairs, fire team, section and troop tactics. The field exercises become longer and more arduous with more emphasis being placed on the tactics of warfare. The exercises cover patrolling, ambushing and defence and the weapon training includes anti-armour weapons and grenade throwing.

The physical side of training includes the Assault course and Speed Marching and the recruits learn to cope with carrying increased weight of equipment in their webbing throughout the 30 week training course.

The whole ethos of Chatham Company is to turn the basic infantryman into a Commando and thus training includes familiarisation with assets such as landing craft, fast assault boats and helicopters. They also learn how to abseil and climb cliffs.

The Final Exercise which commences in week 26 lasts for 7 days and is the final test of all the skills which a recruit has been taught. During the Exercise he will be tested in all aspects of training and must be fit enough to man pack heavy weights for long distances on foot - known as 'Yomping'. The week following the Final Exercise includes the Commando Tests which consist of the Tarzan/Assault Course, 9 Mile Speed March, Endurance Course and infamous 30 Miler across Dartmoor. All these tests have set times in which they must be completed and every recruit carries 22 pounds of weight and his rifle.

The senior troop in training is known as the King's Squad. They prepare for their pass out. On completion of all the tests the best recruit in the Troop is awarded the King's Badge if he so merits it. Having passed out they are addressed as 'Royal Marines' for the first time and leave CTCRM for their units or undergo further specialist training.

Chatham Company also conducts the All Arms Commando Course whereby members of other services undertake an 8 week course which earns them a Green Beret so that they may take up appointments in Units of the Commando Brigade.

Signal and Clerk Training Wing (SCTW) is responsible for the training of all Signallers,Illustrators, Clerks and Stores Accountants in the Royal Marines.

1. Signal Training. The Wing trains Signallers from Standard 3 (Marine) to Standard I (SNCO/WO), and Signal Officers in the communications, equipment and procedures used within the Corps. Signal training is also given to non-specialised courses such as Young Officer, Command, Recruit and Provost Courses.
2. Clerk and Stores Accountants Training. Similarly Clerks and Stores Accountants (SAs) undergo training courses from Standard 3 to Standard I in their specific skills. Clerks Training Troop is also responsible for Information Technology (IT) training for both specialised clerical courses and other non-clerical IT users, from Marine to Lieutenant Colonel level.
3. Illustrators Training. Illustrators also undergo training courses from Standard 3 to Standard I in their specific skills. They are important members of the Commando Units.
4. Miscellaneous Training. SCTW is required to sponsor and monitor the training of Royal Marines Telecommunications Technicians (TTs) and Yeomen of Signals (YoS). Both courses are conducted by the Army, the TTs undergoing a 12 month course at SEE Aborfield to achieve Class 2 Standard, followed by a further 9 month course later in their careers to bring them to Class 1. TTs are responsible for the repair and maintenance of radio, line and teleprinter equipment.Yeomen of Signals are selected from amongst the best Signals SNC0s and undergo a 15 month course at the Army School of Signals which qualifies them as advanced military communications specialists. SCTW also trains Stores Accountants from Standard 3 to Standard 1 and possesses a large Computer Training Suite (CAATS).

The Centre has a strong RN(W) Unit consisting of I RN(W) Officer, I QARNNS Officer, 4 Senior ratings, 27 Junior ratings and 7 QARNNS. The Wrens are employed in the main as Writers, Stores Accountants, Dental Surgery Assistants, Medical Assistants and in the Education Training Support role.

The Band of her Majesty's Royal Marines, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines is based at the Centre. The band numbers some 45 musicians and buglers who perform a range of musical combinations in support of CTCRM and the wider Corps. When time permits the band supports civic functions as well as playing a part in national ceremonial events. The band wears the distinctive cap badge of the Plymouth Division Band, originally based at Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth.