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Job Role
Royal Marines Reserve (Ex-regular Forces)
Job Role

Royal Marines Reserve (Ex-regular Forces)

Use your service background to join the 600-strong elite amphibious arm of the Maritime Reserve.

AdventureCiviliansCombat and securityApprenticeships
  • £5,213 - £6,253
  • No qualifications
  • Royal Marines
  • Royal Marines Reserve
  • Rating level

At a glance

Serving in the armed forces takes a certain level of commitment and dedication. But it takes something extra to earn the green beret. If you’ve served as a full-time Royal Marine within the last two years you may be eligible for seamless transfer at your final rank.

Tax free

Annual bounty for training commitment

Extra pay

If you're mobilised

Transfer

To the Reserves at your current level

Paid leave

Proportionate to attendance

Pension

Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme

Travel

Around the world
A Royal Marine Commando officer training Royal Marine Commandos.
I’ve been able to use my existing training, and further develop, in some of the most intense and challenging environments imaginable.

Douglas

Royal Marines Reserve (Ex-regular)

Role details

What you’ll do

Having spent time in the regular Royal Marines, you’ll know something of the challenges you’ll face and the dedication required. Joining the Royal Marines Reserve would put that knowledge to good use.

As a fully-trained Royal Marine, if you left service within two years, you would be eligible for the Firefly Scheme, a fast track process that takes into consideration your rank and valuable experience.

Firefly Scheme

Your role

  • Use your service background to join the 600-strong elite amphibious arm of the Maritime Reserve. Once you’ve earned your green beret, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue specialisations and go on deployment.
  • Use your existing discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills to get the most out of civilian and military life.
  • Travel the world, experiencing a wide range of new environments. You’ll be making a vital contribution to the essential operations that help us protect our nation’s interests.

Pay & benefits

  • Extra pay and allowances if you’re mobilised
  • Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
  • Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
  • Uninterrupted membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
  • Expenses and allowances when training
  • Continued access to the Royal Marines superb sports and fitness facilities

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Individual qualifications, recognised by the civilian employment sector, commensurate with your trade qualification or specialist qualification

Skills you'll develop

  • First-class leadership, and world-class teamwork
  • Essential military skills, as well as a specialisation such as abseiling, assault engineering or combat intelligence

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 16 to 51 when you start training
  • The upper age limit may be waived for applicants with previous Royal Marines experience
  • Qualification requirements vary depending on the role
  • You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National
  • 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
  • Minimum height of 145cm
  • Must pass Royal Marines Selection Weekend
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills & Interests

  • Motivated to continue service
  • A desire to be part of a team and the ability to commit
  • A need for adventure
  • Maintained 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.

Step 1

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.

Step 2

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.

practise the daa
Step 3

Selection Interview

A formal Selection Interview to assess suitability for 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.

Step 4

Fitness Assessment

Conduct the Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment (PJFA) event which will determine your physical preparedness level to increase success at the Royal Marine Candidate Preparation Course (RM CPC). It is also an opportunity to meet with the Royal Marines In-Reach team and build on your preparation for Royal Marines training. There is also a fitness App available to assist in your preparation, available on the website.

Learn more
Step 5

Attend the Royal Marine Candidate Preparation Course (RM CPC)

This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Marines, including assessments of your Fitness ability, Swimming ability and your Medical eligibility, it is a pass or fail course. Train efficiently and keep a positive state of mind, and you’ll stand a good chance of passing.

RM CPC
Step 6

Start training

Once you’ve passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at Royal Marine Commando Training Centre (CTC) Lympstone to commence your initial training.

Career Progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day One
Arrive at CTCRM Lympstone for 15 months of basic training
First two years
Join a Commando Unit as Troop Commander, lead 30 Commandos
First Promotion
Do various Young Officer jobs, become Captain after 26 months
Second Promotion
Broaden your command experience, promotion on merit to Major

Got a question?

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