It's great that you’re interested in joining the Medical branch of the Royal Navy. This is your opportunity to embark on a truly unique career, where you'll look after our most important asset – our people.
Before you can get started, you'll need to complete your full application. We understand that can sometimes be tricky, but don't worry, we're here to help.
If you’re struggling with your application, either due to a technical issue or because you’re unsure what information to supply, we have a dedicated recruitment team who can provide all the advice and guidance you need. Just get in touch with us using the details below.
When you join the Medical branch of the Royal Navy, you hone your skills in NHS hospitals, as well as on board ships and submarines – or even on the battlefield. You'll also get to specialise, just as you would in civilian medicine. Finding it hard to imagine? There are serving personnel waiting to answer your questions.
Joining our team of world-class medical professionals might seem a long way off, but it doesn't have to be. You have to be the finished article as soon as you apply. If you come with the right attitude and motivation, we'll provide all the support you need to become a key part of the Medical branch.
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Your first step on the recruitment journey is to complete your full application form, which you can find in our Recruitment Portal. We have emailed you a link to the Recruitment Portal. If you can't find the link, please check your spam folder or give us a call so we can send it to you again.
Once you've submitted the application form on the Recruitment Portal, you can expect to receive a call from your local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) to arrange your next steps. Depending on your circumstances, some stages may take longer than others. We’ll make sure that you are kept involved and informed throughout the whole recruitment and training process.
The Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is a multiple-choice test that all recruits sit. It tests your general intellectual ability, and how well you do shows your capacity to cope with the technical and academic aspects of training for the role you've chosen.
We'll invite you to a formal interview to assess your suitability for a career in the Royal Navy, and specifically the role that you have chosen. This is much like any other job interview, so you should prepare accordingly and ask your AFCO for help if required.
The medical and eye exam are quite comprehensive, because life in the Royal Navy is physically demanding. Your tests must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors, who are based all around the country. Your local AFCO will arrange an appointment for you at a convenient time and location.
Before you can join you'll have to pass the Royal Navy's Pre-Joining Fitness Test, which involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you. This will typically be scheduled within 28 days of passing your medical. You'll need to be in the best possible shape to have the greatest chance of passing, which will also help with basic training.
Once you've been given an entry date, you'll need to attend assessments at either the Candidate Preparation Course (CPC) if you're applying as a rating, or the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) if you're applying as an officer.
The CPC is a comprehensive physical examination, including a number of running and swimming tests, which will confirm that you’re ready for entry. This is also your chance to sample life in the Royal Navy.
The AIB is a competency-based assessment that confirms that you’re physically and mentally ready to become a Royal Navy Officer.
Once you've passed all the stages, you'll also need to pass a Security and Reference Check. After that you’ll be given details about your provisional place at either HMS Raleigh (if you're a rating), or Britannia Royal Naval College (if you're an officer). Your local AFCO will buy your train ticket to help you get there, provide some joining instructions, and tell you what kit you need. After Basic Training, you'll then begin the professional training that’s unique to your role.
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