Toby earns a Royal Marines green beret and says his success is thanks to college tutors

A newly qualified Royal Marine says that every success he has enjoyed can be tracked back to his time at Cambridge Regional College.

Toby Carter, 23, said tutors gave him the self-belief and skills to aim high and earn his coveted green beret.

“Without CRC tutors none of this would have been possible,” he said.

Toby studied Uniformed Public Services for five years from 2012 to 2017 rising from Level 2 to HND Level 5 – equivalent to the second year of a University degree.

“I didn’t do very well at school,” Toby said. “I’m dyslexic, but when I got to college everyone got me, they understood, and everything fell into place.

“If I struggled to grasp a new subject the tutors made sure they turned it from theory into practical. I learn best by doing things myself or by people showing me, so this helped fit my learning style.

“I never dreamt I could be a Royal Marine but tutors helped me every step of the way to believe in myself and aim high.

“Every success I’ve had links back to CRC. People see you’ve studied UPS at this college and for me it became an instant entry ticket to what I wanted to do.

“I learnt self-discipline, get on with course work, be reliable and professional.”

All students are encouraged to make personal development folders of certificates and achievements to hand in at interviews, which Toby said helped show they were excellent job candidates. “Tips like that gives an extra edge,” Toby said.

The 32-week Marine training has just finished for Toby and although he says it was awful and amazing in equal measure he added: “I’d do it again in an instant. A lot of it was spent sleeping under plastic sheets, there were grueling tasks and we had to work hard together as a team. The best thing is we’ve made friends for life.”

Following his recent passing out parade Toby is undergoing the military green vehicle training – every Marine must also be a driver – and once complete, he will join 40 Commando.

His role there will be in the Future Command Force, testing out new kit, including rifles, new technology and drones.

“CRC tutors were my mentors and were key in helping me finding my dream career,” he said.