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Becoming the 0.1%: Thirty-four lessons from the diary of a Royal Marines Commando Recruit
'A practical and no-nonsense guide on dealing with the toughest situations, from someone who has been there and done it.' -- Levison Wood'It will help you to navigate life.' -- The Times***Historical recruitment campaigns to become a Royal Marines Commando drew on a harrowing but intriguing 99.9% Need Not Apply. In 2005, only one in a thousand applications for the Royal Marines were successful in reaching the end of training, earning the Coveted Green Beret - a world renowned symbol of excellence.Becoming the 0.1% is the first-ever diary account of this training regime, charting the odds-stacked journey of Gareth Timmins, a 20-year-old recruit at the time, and providing a psychological framework for understanding how he was able to cultivate the mental strength and resilience needed to push through to success. Each week of training is accompanied by lessons on his short-comings and growth to peak performance. It uses real-life and often terrifying experiences to describe to the reader the edge you need to cultivate a 0.1% mindset and succeed in life and work, by learning how
Visualise achievements Combat fatigue and burnout Stay motivated by not losing sight of the end goal Eradicate complacency and achieve mastery Redefine expectation and regulate disappointment Live without convenience Thrive under pressure Break down self-imposed limitations Be held accountable to others
Visualise achievements Combat fatigue and burnout Stay motivated by not losing sight of the end goal Eradicate complacency and achieve mastery Redefine expectation and regulate disappointment Live without convenience Thrive under pressure Break down self-imposed limitations Be held accountable to others
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2021
134 people are currently reading
736 people want to read
About the author
Gareth Timmins
2 books15 followersGareth Timmins is a former Royal Marines Commando turned Author and emerging Behavioural/Cognitive Scientist. During recruit training in 2005/06, he documented his experiences by keeping a never-before captured diary of elite military training. In recent years, he has utilised his psychological grounding to produce and integrate thirty-four lessons that people can employ to achieve cutting-edge, performance thinking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
February 27, 2024
I've always been intrigued reading about physically and mentally taxing endeavours and this book really brought it. Makes me appreciate my comfy life even more.
May 9, 2022
A great insight in to the training of Royal Marines. Unfortunately I felt there were a few things missing from the story. Put across as 34 lessons from the author, the author's monotonous and uninspiring advice are peppered with enthusiastic diary entries narrated by Ben Heathecote. Normally a sucker for an audiobook to be narrated by the writer, in this case I found interfering and absolutely dull. Aside from the obvious dichotomy of narration abilities, Gareth Timmins seemed to completely contradict his own journey with these life lessons. The dissonance between Gareth then and Gareth now seem completely unconnected. The recruit who still battled with peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, now that combined with the mental fortitude to complete Commando training would have compelling and a phenomenal story. Instead, passages of drug fueled weekends and then straight back in to the arduous training we're skimmed over with preachy life lessons, with no real connection the the man he was and how he fought not only with physical and mental training, but the outside influence.
A couple of notable lessons resonated with me, and his story through training was interesting, but there was a beat missed here and a real shame the true fight with himself was never exposed.
A couple of notable lessons resonated with me, and his story through training was interesting, but there was a beat missed here and a real shame the true fight with himself was never exposed.
January 26, 2022
I really enjoyed reading the book and understanding what kind of training commando's go through. Together with some of the lessons that we have al heard about but are good to revisit once in a while, for example the below really resonated with me and where I stand on this moment:
“‘Acceptance’ in these moments of realisation is crucial, a cognitive skill that must be practised and maintained constantly. Like all things in life that create disappointment, frustration and disbelief, acceptance is the remedy.”
“….emotional cycle that can be shortened and with practice, even eradicated. For instance, knowing at some point that you will accept it (based on previous experience), will enable you to get over it and resist the urge to attach too much expectation onto certain outcomes; thus getting over things quicker if an alternative reality is presented.”
“‘Acceptance’ in these moments of realisation is crucial, a cognitive skill that must be practised and maintained constantly. Like all things in life that create disappointment, frustration and disbelief, acceptance is the remedy.”
“….emotional cycle that can be shortened and with practice, even eradicated. For instance, knowing at some point that you will accept it (based on previous experience), will enable you to get over it and resist the urge to attach too much expectation onto certain outcomes; thus getting over things quicker if an alternative reality is presented.”
June 19, 2024
This book was well written and edited, showing the authors journey, thoughts and feelings, starting being a normal person who declined professional rugby as it was underwhelming, and applied to the Royal Marines- including a 32 week course to achieve the green beret and officially become a royal marine.
It shows his development from being inexperienced scared and the horrific levels of training causing nearly all to give up and fail- the labour and pain, the physical and mental challenges almost similar to torture, and gives his lessons and advice not only about the course but applicable to self improvement and normal life. Great book and guidance
It shows his development from being inexperienced scared and the horrific levels of training causing nearly all to give up and fail- the labour and pain, the physical and mental challenges almost similar to torture, and gives his lessons and advice not only about the course but applicable to self improvement and normal life. Great book and guidance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2022
Really enjoyed this, incredible insight and hugely motivational.
September 17, 2023
Empowering and raw.
The raw recollection of the lessons, along the extraction and summary of learnings is captivating. I couldn't put it down.
The raw recollection of the lessons, along the extraction and summary of learnings is captivating. I couldn't put it down.
June 30, 2024
Tbh nagu loeks hilisteismelise ajateenija märkmeid.
June 29, 2022
Really liked the format of a diary. Shows the thought process of an elite soldier during hardship, which humanizes him. He is not superhuman, he can just keep going when it's incredibly tough.
The lessons sprinkled in were fine, but they could use some editing.
The lessons sprinkled in were fine, but they could use some editing.
July 17, 2022
Quite inspirational reading about the hardship involved in getting a green beret.
I’m not sure how much actual advice there is in the book. To keep going inspire of obstacles, focus, reevaluate etc.. aren’t these all pretty obvious?
The contradiction was also hard for me to take, in the same chapter about discipline the author wrote about his drink, drugs and fighting incidents and lost some credibility here. I know he was young but I’m sure not all Royal Marines will have been up to the same in their time off.
Perhaps taking some of his own advice would have served him well.
I read this as a pretty successful 39 year old but someone in their teens or early 20’s May learn more, particularly if they haven’t been exposed to many good role models to understand their is a way out of seemingly dead end situations.
I’m not sure how much actual advice there is in the book. To keep going inspire of obstacles, focus, reevaluate etc.. aren’t these all pretty obvious?
The contradiction was also hard for me to take, in the same chapter about discipline the author wrote about his drink, drugs and fighting incidents and lost some credibility here. I know he was young but I’m sure not all Royal Marines will have been up to the same in their time off.
Perhaps taking some of his own advice would have served him well.
I read this as a pretty successful 39 year old but someone in their teens or early 20’s May learn more, particularly if they haven’t been exposed to many good role models to understand their is a way out of seemingly dead end situations.
November 16, 2022
This a brilliant book to read for anyone who wants to join the RM or the Armed Forces
I loved this book and I couldn't put it down as it encapsulated me from the first chapter upwards. This is a great book to understanding how to be that particular mindset person to pass the 32 weeks Royal Marine Command training. As the author said that an average 1000 young men will sign up at the recruitment office, but only 1 will passed the cour, hence the 0.01%.
The book is well written and construct with some great coaching mentoring advice not only for the RM, but other branches of the Armed Forces as well. I could say that it is adaptable in civil street, especially if you are an entrepreneurs.
Overall a must have of a book and a great Christmas present as well.
Best wishes Sean ex RE
I loved this book and I couldn't put it down as it encapsulated me from the first chapter upwards. This is a great book to understanding how to be that particular mindset person to pass the 32 weeks Royal Marine Command training. As the author said that an average 1000 young men will sign up at the recruitment office, but only 1 will passed the cour, hence the 0.01%.
The book is well written and construct with some great coaching mentoring advice not only for the RM, but other branches of the Armed Forces as well. I could say that it is adaptable in civil street, especially if you are an entrepreneurs.
Overall a must have of a book and a great Christmas present as well.
Best wishes Sean ex RE
August 24, 2021
Having no connection to the military and not being what may be considered the typical audience for this book (I couldn’t run for the train to the recruitment office!), this may seem a surprise choice for me but the intrigue around what it takes for someone to go through Royal Marines training is what drew me to it. From the first diary entry, I couldn’t put it down and the reflections and “lessons” are already making me question my actions in relation to my personal goals. Fantastic read and highly recommend. The book is written with such openness.
March 12, 2024
There's no doubt that Gareth belongs to the 0.1% - he's amazing and strong both physically and mentally, and his achievement is 200% worthy of bragging rights.
Now to my rating, this is gonna be long. I apologize in advance but I just really want to let it all out as my expectations were too high.
First things first, the military slangs. There's so much of it that the descriptions and glossary at the end were not helpful either. I wish the narrative had been edited in a fiction-like manner where you feel immersed in his journey rather than reading the terminologies. Unfortunately, the storytelling sounded flat.
Second, the disconnect of the lessons from his journey/entries. Again, could be editing issues. The lessons, were surely, common sense. But they weren't effectively integrated into the storytelling. it just didn't click together where the lessons were written. For instance, there's mention of the Buddy Buddy System, but no real anecdote or experience to illustrate its importance. And there's a lot of them in the book.
Last but not the least (forgive me Gareth I really have to say this), I didn't see any personal growth by the end of his training. He was talking about discipline, self-control, and mental resilience all throughout the book but he himself was complaining all the time. His entries were full of 'boring lessons', 'weak lad', and so on and on. He sounded so entitled and then goes on partying and regretting how he didn't took care of his body during his leaves then went into jail after getting his Green Beret. Like what the f* did I just read? Where's the character growth of my leading man?
Still, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt - maybe he'll mature at the end of the training. Maybe. But what I get at the end of the book is that he didn't. It seems he was more concerned with proving his worth to others than having genuine self-improvement.
Despite all of this, Gareth's achievement remain impressive. The story happened 20 years aog, and I won't fault him for who he was back then so I'll end my rant here. However, as a book, this one falls short. Approach it at your own risk.
Now to my rating, this is gonna be long. I apologize in advance but I just really want to let it all out as my expectations were too high.
First things first, the military slangs. There's so much of it that the descriptions and glossary at the end were not helpful either. I wish the narrative had been edited in a fiction-like manner where you feel immersed in his journey rather than reading the terminologies. Unfortunately, the storytelling sounded flat.
Second, the disconnect of the lessons from his journey/entries. Again, could be editing issues. The lessons, were surely, common sense. But they weren't effectively integrated into the storytelling. it just didn't click together where the lessons were written. For instance, there's mention of the Buddy Buddy System, but no real anecdote or experience to illustrate its importance. And there's a lot of them in the book.
Last but not the least (forgive me Gareth I really have to say this), I didn't see any personal growth by the end of his training. He was talking about discipline, self-control, and mental resilience all throughout the book but he himself was complaining all the time. His entries were full of 'boring lessons', 'weak lad', and so on and on. He sounded so entitled and then goes on partying and regretting how he didn't took care of his body during his leaves then went into jail after getting his Green Beret. Like what the f* did I just read? Where's the character growth of my leading man?
Still, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt - maybe he'll mature at the end of the training. Maybe. But what I get at the end of the book is that he didn't. It seems he was more concerned with proving his worth to others than having genuine self-improvement.
Despite all of this, Gareth's achievement remain impressive. The story happened 20 years aog, and I won't fault him for who he was back then so I'll end my rant here. However, as a book, this one falls short. Approach it at your own risk.
February 12, 2022
📚 you don’t have to have an interest in the military to read this book! It is for anyone and EVERYONE!!
👍🏽 best quote “starve your distractions, feed your focus”
Life lessons I’ve learnt from this book:
🔸The mind is beyond powerful
🔸You can only reach full potential after enduring the most difficult journey
🔸Redefine what a ‘limitation’ mean to you
🔸Together we can achieve more
🔸Always be a student to life
🔸To achieve a goal, you have to have self control
🔸Be 100% sure about your immediate circle & those you trust
🔸Journaling makes you appreciate & remember the good parts more than the bad
So the book is a diary highlighting what it takes to become a Royal Marine and acquire the 0.1% mindset. It gives insights of real life experience and how mental strength is the most important thing to survive! 👏
I loved this book sooooo much and I didn’t want it to end!!
👍🏽 best quote “starve your distractions, feed your focus”
Life lessons I’ve learnt from this book:
🔸The mind is beyond powerful
🔸You can only reach full potential after enduring the most difficult journey
🔸Redefine what a ‘limitation’ mean to you
🔸Together we can achieve more
🔸Always be a student to life
🔸To achieve a goal, you have to have self control
🔸Be 100% sure about your immediate circle & those you trust
🔸Journaling makes you appreciate & remember the good parts more than the bad
So the book is a diary highlighting what it takes to become a Royal Marine and acquire the 0.1% mindset. It gives insights of real life experience and how mental strength is the most important thing to survive! 👏
I loved this book sooooo much and I didn’t want it to end!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
What an inspiring tale of overcoming challenges and rising to the level of an elite Royal Marine Commando! I have to say, while reading this book, I've been doing CrossFit, and there were many days when I felt worn out and unmotivated to work out. This story ignited a newfound determination in me to push through and accomplish more. However, I was disheartened by the numerous accounts of excessive drinking. Just think about the possibilities they could have reached had there not been such a heavy drinking culture. This is a lesson that only age and wisdom can impart. I highly recommend this book!
August 29, 2021
What a fantastic book. A mix of personal diary entry’s of a young man’s experience of Royal Marine Commando training and hindsight lesson taken from the experience. This mix keeps the book interesting and as such I finished it in a couple of days. I can see it would be a valuable resource for potential recruits to prepare for training, but also for those that are a little too old to try for the coveted green beret, it has many great lessons and philosophies for civilian life. I thoroughly recommend this book, and will be referring back for motivation often.
August 31, 2022
Skaičiau daug knygų, kurias parašė geriausi pasaulio sportininkai. Tose knygose būdavo daug parašyta ir papasakota apie persitreniravima ir nežmoniškus krūvius, tačiau palyginus ką patiria ir kokį fizinį gauna Britanijos spec. pajėgų pasiruošime dalyvaujantys kariai, nėra ką lyginti.
Kai paskaitai tokių istorijų, supranti, kad viskas slypi galvoje ir jei labai žmogus nori, jis viską gali. Žiauriai patiko ir dabar jau truputį gailiuosi, kad šios knygos neperskaičiau ultra trail bėgimų priešistorėje, nes greičiausiai būtų buvę daug įdomiau padirbti su savimi...
Kai paskaitai tokių istorijų, supranti, kad viskas slypi galvoje ir jei labai žmogus nori, jis viską gali. Žiauriai patiko ir dabar jau truputį gailiuosi, kad šios knygos neperskaičiau ultra trail bėgimų priešistorėje, nes greičiausiai būtų buvę daug įdomiau padirbti su savimi...
August 11, 2025
It’s a classic self help book with just a new lick of paint from the lens of being “an elite soldier” - it’s an admirable feat but the book doesn’t say anything that hasn’t been said before. Additionally there seems a strange disconnect between the genuinely insightful diary entries which really do allow you to understand, if even a fraction, of what it must be like to undergo such training and the struggles faced, with the odd preachy “rules for life”.
I honestly think if you split the book in half you’d get a really interesting diary of someone’s experience and an average self help book.
I honestly think if you split the book in half you’d get a really interesting diary of someone’s experience and an average self help book.
August 26, 2021
What makes this stand out from its peers is it’s gritty hugely personable account of this mans mindset while achieving his Goal. It takes you through all his failings and mental weakness’s, then shows you how he overcame it.
In my humble opinion a must read if you wish to become a royal marine but as a veteran this book as enabled me to overcome my own challenges in elements of my civilian life with its lessons and reflections of his diary.
In my humble opinion a must read if you wish to become a royal marine but as a veteran this book as enabled me to overcome my own challenges in elements of my civilian life with its lessons and reflections of his diary.
March 17, 2022
Maybe more suited to someone who actually wants to know what’s involved in the training process for a green beret but doesn’t have the mass market appeal.
There are simply far superior self help books in my view.
There is a number of timeless truths wrapped around the lived experience. Nothing profound but good advice nonetheless.
Neither the entertainment or educational factor was excellent.
It’s a tentative seven out of ten. 3 stars.
July 17, 2022
Amazing story of how to be elite
Having really enjoyed the High Performance podcast, I've looked around for books that cover this area. And they don't really come much better than being part of the most elite fighting force in the UK (and possibly also in the world) puts personal scenarios into perspective when considering the physical and mental endurance necessary to achieve the green beret. Highly recommended reading
Having really enjoyed the High Performance podcast, I've looked around for books that cover this area. And they don't really come much better than being part of the most elite fighting force in the UK (and possibly also in the world) puts personal scenarios into perspective when considering the physical and mental endurance necessary to achieve the green beret. Highly recommended reading
August 26, 2021
Absolute great read, very rare to read an actual diary and not a blurred memory. Anyone who has been in the military can relate to the feelings, but the added lessons from the author help to see how he got over the struggles and negative feelings of potential failure. Fantastic read, very much enjoyed
November 26, 2022
Great read following the author's journey from the PRMC to being handed his green beret and completing training. The lessons and advice throughout are all worth using in your day to day life. Yet, the most gripping part of the book that kept me sucked in were the diary entries that gives you a real insight into the mind of an elite operator in training.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
January 25, 2025
I think this is a book that everyone should read, regardless of an interest in the Royal Marines. Though I'm sure that military buffs may be more initially inclined to pick it up, the lessons Timmins imparts are lessons I believe are applicable to everyone in everyday life, and have greatly inspired me.
Want to read
August 25, 2021As I’m approaching Royal Marines training this has defiantly opened my eyes and gave me an insight to the unknown, Gareth’s story has really inspired me for the career I want to pursue but the mindset behind it can be used for anyone wanting to smash their goals in any career!
January 17, 2022
Brought back so many memories
Thanks Royal this has brought back so many memories good and bad haha the struggles the pain making the best of friends ,oppo,s. The mental pressure of the bottom field pass out and the commando tests !! Many thanks really enjoyed it PMPT
Thanks Royal this has brought back so many memories good and bad haha the struggles the pain making the best of friends ,oppo,s. The mental pressure of the bottom field pass out and the commando tests !! Many thanks really enjoyed it PMPT
July 18, 2022
I would probably have enjoyed this more if I was a 20 year old boy and if I understood his weird phrases. However it was still very interesting to read about how impossible it is to get into the marines. Basically almost kill yourself and ruin your body and if you are willing to do that you are in!
May 15, 2023
This book encapsulates the pure grit and mental strength it takes to become part of an elite fighting force. The author documents valuable information that provides the tools required to unlock your inner mental strength should the reader absorb the lessons throughout the literature.
August 23, 2021
Good personal insight in to life as a Royal Marines recruit, nothing hidden all there to read
August 25, 2021
I was not able to put this book down, it is absolutely fascinating. How the author trained his mind and body to get through this training is beyond my comprehension.
I have learnt a few things from the lessons which will stand me in good stead for the future.
Definitely a must read.
I have learnt a few things from the lessons which will stand me in good stead for the future.
Definitely a must read.
August 23, 2021
For any young person considering joining the marines this book should become your Bible. Fasinating and compelling read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews