The video will start in 8 Cancel

The Daily Star's FREE newsletter is spectacular! Sign up today for the best stories straight to your inbox Sign up today! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

(Image: GETTY STOCK IMAGE)

Commanders say the Green Berets’ tradition of donning “women’s rig” has got to stop.

One senior officer is reported to have raged: “The Royal Marines are an elite fighting force – not a bunch of cross -dressers”.

For years, commandos have dressed up in women’s clothes while taking part in pub drinking sessions.

Burly men dressed as ballerinas or wearing floral dresses complete with wigs and high heels have long been a common sight in towns close to their bases.

But now the custom looks set to end after one officer warned dressing in drag was “bringing the world famous name of the Royal Marines into disrepute”.

(Image: GETTY STOCK IMAGE)

Problems arose earlier this year when young officers from 42 Commando – in women’s rig – were spotted by a senior officer.

The men scolded another group of commandos for wearing jeans as they left their base for a night on the town.

One source said: “Women’s rig has been part of the corps’ custom for years. It’s very difficult for civvies to understand but it’s an accepted practice among the ranks and young officers.

“I’ve seen young officers with tweed twinsets in their lockers and they often take more care about their women’s clothes than their own.

“A lot of senior officers disapprove of it because they believe it makes the Marines look daft.

“The crunch came when a group of officers dressed in women’s rig were seen by a senior officer giving another group of Marines a telling off for wearing jeans.

“The senior officer was furious and said it was unacceptable for men dressed as women to admonish other ranks for wearing jeans.”

The source added that several officers feared the Marines could become the laughing stock of the Armed Forces.

The senior officer is reported to have said: “The Royal Marines are an elite fighting force – not a bunch of crossdressers”.

Recruits have also been told that they may also face disciplinary action if they are seen taking part in another custom known as “naked bar” sessions.

According to tradition, troops drinking in pubs while in civilian clothes must strip off if another Marine shouts “naked bar”.

Anyone who doesn’t has to buy a drink for every other Marine in the pub. Like women’s rig, naked bar has been part of Marine culture for years.

A serving Royal Marine said: “Banning women’s rig or naked bar won’t make any difference. “It’s part of our esprit de corps.

Booties (Marines) have been doing this for years and they will continue to do so.”