'Naked' marine denies bully claim
Discussion
Appears it was a lot of fuss about nothing
BBC Article
'Naked' marine denies bully claim
Marines fighting in footage obtained by the News of the World
A Royal Marine shown in footage leaked to a newspaper lying naked and unconscious during an initiation ritual has denied he was bullied.
Ray Simmons, 23, told the Daily Mirror newspaper the colleague who hit him was a "good mate", saying "it was just a game that went too far."
The footage, handed to the News of World, sparked widespread condemnation.
A criminal inquiry is being carried out into the incident at 42 Commando's Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth.
The footage showed two naked men fighting during an alcohol-fuelled "new joiners'" party - one of them Mr Simmons.
He then appeared to be kicked in the face by a third marine.
"The bloke who kicked me in the head is one of the nicest guys in the company," he said.
"He's going through hell for one mistake, but we all make mistakes and I don't hold a grudge.
"It's been claimed I was the victim of ritual abuse, but that's untrue ... It's just marine humour."
'Not tolerated
The Ministry of Defence has said bullying in the military would not be tolerated.
It also said it was "very far from an official training exercise" and that it was trying to establish what lay "behind" the video.
A former Commander of British forces in Bosnia, Colonel Bob Stewart, said the footage shocked him to the core .
I love being in the Marines. I wouldn't change my company for the world
Ray Simmons
The News of the World newspaper said the footage had been filmed covertly by another marine at 42 Commando's base at Bickleigh Barracks in May.
Twelve soldiers who had just finished their 32-week commando training were alleged to have taken part in the initiation ritual, while around 40 other marines - also stripped naked - watched.
The marine who filmed the alleged fight told the newspaper the ritual was more than drunken antics and that the protagonists were forced to fight in a humiliating manner.
But Mr Simmons said: "This has been blown up out of all proportion. I was appalled that the image of the marines was being tarnished unfairly.
"I love being in the marines. I wouldn't change my company for the world."
BBC Article
'Naked' marine denies bully claim
Marines fighting in footage obtained by the News of the World
A Royal Marine shown in footage leaked to a newspaper lying naked and unconscious during an initiation ritual has denied he was bullied.
Ray Simmons, 23, told the Daily Mirror newspaper the colleague who hit him was a "good mate", saying "it was just a game that went too far."
The footage, handed to the News of World, sparked widespread condemnation.
A criminal inquiry is being carried out into the incident at 42 Commando's Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth.
The footage showed two naked men fighting during an alcohol-fuelled "new joiners'" party - one of them Mr Simmons.
He then appeared to be kicked in the face by a third marine.
"The bloke who kicked me in the head is one of the nicest guys in the company," he said.
"He's going through hell for one mistake, but we all make mistakes and I don't hold a grudge.
"It's been claimed I was the victim of ritual abuse, but that's untrue ... It's just marine humour."
'Not tolerated
The Ministry of Defence has said bullying in the military would not be tolerated.
It also said it was "very far from an official training exercise" and that it was trying to establish what lay "behind" the video.
A former Commander of British forces in Bosnia, Colonel Bob Stewart, said the footage shocked him to the core .
I love being in the Marines. I wouldn't change my company for the world
Ray Simmons
The News of the World newspaper said the footage had been filmed covertly by another marine at 42 Commando's base at Bickleigh Barracks in May.
Twelve soldiers who had just finished their 32-week commando training were alleged to have taken part in the initiation ritual, while around 40 other marines - also stripped naked - watched.
The marine who filmed the alleged fight told the newspaper the ritual was more than drunken antics and that the protagonists were forced to fight in a humiliating manner.
But Mr Simmons said: "This has been blown up out of all proportion. I was appalled that the image of the marines was being tarnished unfairly.
"I love being in the marines. I wouldn't change my company for the world."
Bootneck humour is a thing to behold. Where else would you get 30 naked blokes down town on the piss and none of them feel out of place. They are a very strange bunch but this is what bonds them together as a very tight unit. To understand it you either have to be one of them or work with them at some stage. There will always be those that gasp in horror and the usual wanna make it big reporter that glosses over the truth to get a career. This is the problem with the media these days, they have taken the art of making mountains out of molehills to a level never before percieved.
Marki said:
Dont forget "lets dress up like school girls And fight "
Funny thing is as a Marine you could probably say that and get away with it. As an outsider, if you were to repeat it, I'd give you about 2 seconds before you were on your arse in the mud
. They can be a litle hair triggered, particulary once they've had a beer. Harry
HarryW said:
Dont forget "lets dress up like school girls And fight "
Funny thing is as a Marine you could probably say that and get away with it. As an outsider, if you were to repeat it, I'd give you about 2 seconds before you were on your arse in the mud
Harry
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