Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:45:19-2:47:36

Why Royal Navy PT instructors were called club swingers

The earlier wording is corrected: club swingers is the Royal Navy nickname, while beaters may be older Royal Marines usage.

Military CultureNaval PersonnelPhysical TrainingRoyal MarinesRoyal Navy
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Question

What does the nickname beaters mean in Royal Navy or Royal Marines physical training?

Short answer

Club swingers is the naval term; beaters may be older Royal Marines wording connected with beating up for the Commando Course.

Notes

This exchange corrects the earlier nickname used for physical-training instructors. Club swingers is identified as the Royal Navy term. Beaters is less certain and may instead come from older Royal Marines usage. The possible link is beating up, the intensive self-preparation undertaken before attempting the Commando Course.