Royal Marines Potential Officers Course

What’s involved:

There are two stages:

1. The Potential Officers Course (POC)
2. The Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)

Candidates who pass the first stage are allowed to go forward to the second. Following successful completion of the Admiralty Interview Board, the Final Selection Board (which meets near the end of July) will decide who will go further.

Potential Officers Course (POC):

The POC is designed to see whether you’re likely to meet the challenge of becoming an officer. It’s a gruelling test of your physical fitness, determination and commitment. But we are looking for a little more than that: your leadership potential, intelligence, communication skills and the ability to keep a sense of humour even when exhausted are also assessed.

By the end of the course, you’ll have had a taste of life as a Young Officer in training. It is also a unique chance to learn a lot about yourself and your strengths and weaknesses.

The nitty gritty:

The POC takes place at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone, Devon. The base is situated on the banks of the Exe estuary, eight miles south-east of Exeter. Courses run approximately twice a month throughout the year, increasing in frequency between March and July. The POC lasts for 52 hours spread over three days from 0900 Monday to lunchtime Wednesday.

Before you arrive:

You will receive comprehensive joining instructions three to four weeks prior to the course, providing all administrative details and a rail warrant if you requested one. If you want to give your best on the POC, thorough preparation is vital. The POC DVD, available from your Careers Adviser, will expand on all areas of the course.

Could you take part in the POC?