General Entry Officer Reserve
Develop specialist skills to lead the teams that make a difference, every day, in a career that’s far from the everyday.
- A-Levels / college qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Royal Naval Reserve
- Officer level
Lead
Tax-free
Paid Leave
Pension
Travel
Extra
I’ve enjoyed some truly unique experiences, which have given me a fantastic sense of satisfaction, as well as plenty of practical benefits that I can translate to my non-military career.
Role details
What you’ll do
Go beyond the everyday. Push yourself further. Become a leader. Joining the Royal Naval Reserve as a General Entry Officer is your opportunity to use your skills and interests in a wide range of specialisms and world-class training courses, from mine warfare and submarines, to media or intelligence.
You’ll start your journey at a local unit as a new entry rating and begin basic training, creating solid friendships from day one, in the Royal Navy, it’s a case of join together, train together. From here, you’ll embark on your two-day competency-based assessment at the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) before starting your specialised young officer training. And after that? Make the most of your opportunities to travel the world, from the deserts to the tropics – and beyond.
Your role
- Complete your basic training and then choose how you specialise by joining your preferred branch from Seamanship to Intelligence to Mine Warfare.
- Learn management and leadership techniques in an environment that’s far removed from any office, and excel in a career that runs alongside your day job.
- Develop a wide range of new skills through your military training including firefighting, first aid and weapons handling.
- Gain professional and vocational credentials like Royal Yachting Association powerboat, dinghy and yacht sailing qualifications.
Pay & benefits
- Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
- Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
- Membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
- Expenses and allowances when training
- Access to the Royal Navy’s superb sports and fitness facilities
- Extra pay and allowances if you’re mobilised
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- Leadership and management courses from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Qualifications based on your role and specialism
Skills you'll develop
- Determination, discipline, and confidence which will transfer into your civilian life
- Leadership, responsibility, time management and personal organisation skills
Eligibility
- Aged 18 to 42, or 18 to 56 if you are an ex-regular, when you start training
- A minimum of 72 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g. BTEC)
- At least 5 grades A* - C (9-4) which must include English Language and Maths
- Be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen (with 5 years continuous UK residency), or a Dual National
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & Interests
- Self reliant, well-organised future leaders
- Problem solvers with a keen eye for detail
- Team players
- A willingness to help shipmates
- A high level of physical and mental fitness
Joining Process
From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Submit an application
Your first step is to fill out an online application form. If you have any questions beforehand, you can phone us on 0345 600 3222
Presentation
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
You will be invited to your nearest Armed Forces Career Office (AFCO) for an interview, where we will check your eligibility and outline the joining process. See more advice here. You will then sit the DAA, which assesses: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Join your local Unit
Medical and fitness test
The medical tests are carried out by your nearest Ministry of Defence approved doctor, but eye tests can be completed at selected high street centres. The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) requires you to complete a 2.4km run on a treadmill at a local approved fitness centre.
Phase 1 training
Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
Training
Confirmation course
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day