Royal Marines Officer
Become part of the world’s most elite amphibious force, ready to deploy anytime, anywhere – and who stop at nothing.
- £31,000 - £110,500
- A-Levels / college qualifications
- Royal Marines
- Officer level
£39,600
£31,000
Six
Free
Travel
Two
I’ve always wanted to be a leader, and my role as a Marines Commando Officer has shown me what real leadership is. I’ve never known an environment like it, working with a group of people who give me everything, and I do the same for them.
Role details
What you’ll do
Can you lead the leaders?
The Royal Marines are the world’s most elite amphibious force. And if you’re a Royal Marines Commando Officer you’ll be in charge of the best. Your determination will know no bounds, just like your ability to get the most out of your team.
As you tackle some of our most challenging operations, you’ll encounter everything from the hottest deserts, to the freezing Arctic. And to get the job done, you’ll need that something special that sets you apart: your state of mind.
Your role
- Lead deployments to wherever your team is needed, from humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions in the Middle East, to responding to global conflicts in some of the most hostile environments imaginable.
- Operate from Royal Navy ships and aircraft, using state of the art weapons as you deploy to conflict zones all over the world. You might be neutralising a terrorist threat in North Africa one day, and supporting domestic forces in the Middle East the next.
- Embody the Royal Marines ethos. That means combining the Commando values (excellence, integrity, self-discipline and humility), the Commando qualities (courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness), with the Commando mindset: “Be the first to understand; the first to adapt and respond; and the first to overcome.”
- The people you lead will be exceptional soldiers, who are prepared to go wherever you ask them. To command their respect, you’ll need to show that you can do whatever you ask of them. That’s why you’ll complete the same Commando course, and play a hands-on role in every operation.
Pay & benefits
- A starting salary of more than £31,000
- After 26 months you’ll be promoted to Captain with a salary of over £39,600
- Gain specialist, internationally recognised qualifications as your career progresses
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year, plus extra leave for overseas deployment
- Free medical and dental care
- Excellent pension scheme
- Worldwide travel and engaging cultural experiences
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- A Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute
- Vocational qualification based on your chosen specialisation
Skills you'll develop
- How to lead the world’s most elite amphibious troops and protect our nation’s interests
- Essential military, strategic, decision-making, management and leadership skills
Eligibility
- Aged 18 to 25 when you start Basic Training
- You’ll need a minimum of 72 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g., BTEC)
- You’ll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English and Mathematics
- A National of the United Kingdom or Ireland, a Commonwealth citizen or Dual National
- Minimum height of 145cm
- A maximum BMI of 28 (there may be some exceptions to this maximum if your waist measures less than 94cm)
- A minimum weight of 65kg or a minimum BMI of 23
- The ability to pass the swimming assessment during the Royal Marine Officer Selection Course
- Women interested in a career in Ground Close Combat roles in the Royal Marines may be at greater risk than men from Musculoskeletal injury, reproductive health and mental ill-health – see more information
Skills & Interests
- A natural leader, self-discipline
- Physical fitness and mental robustness
- Positivity in the face of adversity
- The ability to make decisions under pressure
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 your application
Once you’ve registered your interest in the Royal Marines Profession, and have satisfied some basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form.
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Interview
You will have a Career Interview to talk through the Royal Marines Profession. It will also cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.
Fitness Assessment
Conduct the Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment (PJFA) event which will determine your physical preparedness level to increase success at the Royal Marine Officer Selection Course (OSC). It is also an opportunity to meet with the Royal Marines In-Reach team and build on your preparation for Royal Marines Officer training. There is also a fitness App available to assist in your preparation, available on the website.
Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
The AIB is conducted online and made up of two assessments, a Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI) online assessment that assesses your awareness and motivation to join the Royal Navy as an officer. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage online competency-based assessment which will take place approximately 3 weeks after the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment, and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance.
Complete the Royal Marines Officer Selection Course (OSC)
The Royal Marines Officer Selection Course (OSC) is your introduction to life in the Royal Marines and assesses your potential to begin Royal Marines Initial Training.
Start training
Career Progression
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day