Royal navy officer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

Royal Navy officers are senior managers in the Royal Navy, working onboard ships and submarines.

As an officer, you would be responsible for the welfare and management of those serving in your squadron or unit. You would also have a specialist role such as:

• warfare officer – controlling weapons and defence systems, and assisting with navigation
• air engineering officer – making the ship’s aircraft ready to fly when needed, and working with industry to improve aircraft design
• weapons engineering officer – overseeing the maintenance of weapons delivery systems, detection sensors, and communications equipment
• logistics officer – managing the delivery of supplies and equipment, and giving advice on the legal and financial implications
• medical or nursing officer – providing medical care on ships, submarines and ashore.

For details on the full range of officer specialisms, see the Royal Navy website.

Hours

You would usually be on call 24 hours a day, generally working eight-hour shifts, which would include weekends and public holidays.

You must be prepared to move within the UK and overseas. Whilst serving at sea, you may be separated from your family for several months.

Income

• Lieutenants earn from £37,915 to £45,090 a year.
• Lieutenant commanders earn from £47,760 to £57,199.
• Commanders earn between £67,031 and £77,617.
• Captains can earn up to £89,408.

Deductions may be made if accommodation is provided. Extra allowances are paid for family separation, special service and flying duties.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

To get on to Royal Navy officer training, you will need:

• to be at least age 17 (the upper age limit varies according to the specialism)
• a minimum height of 151.5cm
• to meet strict eyesight standards
• to pass a medical
• to meet the Royal Navy nationality and residence requirements.

You will also need qualifications equivalent to:

• five GCSEs (A-C), including English and Maths
• two A levels.

If you have a degree you could apply through Direct Graduate Entry.

Check with your local Armed Forces Careers Office (listed on the Royal Navy Careers website) for a full explanation of all criteria.

• Royal Navy Careers (local Careers Offices)

Financial support through scholarships and bursaries is sometimes available to help with sixth-form and degree-level study; see the Royal Navy Careers website for details.

• Royal Navy Careers (Sponsorship page)

For some officer roles you need specific qualifications, for example:

• to become an air engineering officer you would need an accredited engineering degree
• to join the medical support services as a doctor, you need to have (or be working towards) an approved degree in medicine and registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• to be a chaplain you must be ordained, recommended by your church and have around three or more years’ experience.

For all officer roles you need to pass the Admiralty Interview Board at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. This is a two-day assessment which includes interviews and tests in communication, maths, mental agility, spatial orientation and physical fitness.

You can get full information and advice on Royal Navy officer careers by ringing the Royal Navy Career Enquiries helpline.

Training and development

You would begin your career as an officer at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth in Devon. Your basic training would take around 12 months (depending on your specialism), and include:

• leadership and team working skills
• management training
• handling boats (you would spend seven weeks at sea on a warship).

This would be followed by further training in your specialist area. See the careers section of the Royal Navy website for details.

You could add to your skills, experience and knowledge by moving to a new ship or shore base. Opportunities to progress tend to arise every two to three years.

Skills and knowledge

• the ability to inspire and motivate your team
• leadership skills
• resilience and resourcefulness
• self-discipline, confidence and determination
• the ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of those under your command
• excellent communication skills
• good physical fitness levels and stamina
• the ability to operate effectively in combat situations.

More information

Royal Navy
Careers Enquiries: 0845 607 5555
www.royal-navy.mod.uk

Armed Forces Careers Office (NI)
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
Palace Barracks
Holywood
Co Down
BT18 9RA
Tel: 028 9042 7040

Opportunities

The Royal Navy recruits around 500 new officers each year. You would join on an Initial Commission for 12 years. You could leave during initial training, once you have given 14 days notice. After this, it is usually possible to leave after three to five years' service, depending on your specialist branch.

You would be automatically promoted to Lieutenant if you pass your training period and perform at an acceptable level. After that, you could progress to Lieutenant-Commander and beyond if you prove your ability to lead and achieve certain career milestones.

Check the Royal Navy website for recruitment information.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

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