Royal Fleet Auxiliary| Royal Navy

RFA Recruitment Process

The recruitment process might seem a bit involved, but that’s because we want you to be absolutely sure it’s the right decision for you. We also have a duty to choose people with the right attitudes and personal qualities to take on the responsibilities of life in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

6 steps to joining the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

1 Get in touch

Request an application form by calling us on 08456 04 05 20.
2 Apply

Send us your completed application form. We’ll consider it and acknowledge your application.
3 Show us what you've got

Take our recruit test (RT). This covers basic English and maths, problem-solving and understanding of mechanics. There are example questions on this site and you will be sent a booklet to help you prepare. Potential qualified officers will not be required to take this test.
4 Your way ahead

Based on a combination of your application form and RT results, if you’ve applied for a rating job, we may invite you to a formal interview at HMNB Portsmouth. If you’ve chosen an officer or officer cadet role we’ll invite you to come to HMNB Portsmouth for a formal Sift Interview where we will make a decision on whether to send you to the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB). If you are successful at interview stage as a rating or pass the AIB we will make you a provisional job offer.
5 Fit to Join

To serve in RFA you will need to pass and receive the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) medical fitness certificate. You’ll usually hear this referred to as an ENG1. You will also need to meet our own medical standards, which may require an examination from a qualified RN Doctor.
6 Welcome aboard

Once you’ve passed the various tests and checks, we’ll then finalise your employment contract and you’ll be able to start on our next available training course.