Maritime Reserves | Royal Navy

RNR Recruitment Process

Once you've decided that you're interested in a career in the Royal Marines or Royal Naval Reserve, it's time to begin the formal recruitment process.

8 steps to become A Royal Naval Reservist

1 Get in touch

If you haven’t done this already, please fill in the short form online or call us on 08456 07 55 55. You'll be asked a few basic questions to check you're eligible to apply.
2 Meet us

We'll book you a place for a careers presentation at your local RNR unit where you'll learn more about us and the opportunities open to you.
3 Find out more

At the presentation evening you'll have a chance to ask any questions and meet current recruits and serving Reservists. You'll then fill in a short application form. At this point, you're still not committed to joining the Royal Naval Reserves.
4 Show us what you've got

We'll then arrange a recruit test (RT) for you which covers basic English and maths, problem solving and an understanding of mechanics.
5 Your way ahead

Once we have your RT results and qualifications we will then discuss your most suitable route into the Royal Naval Reserves. If you don't pass first time, don't worry as you can take it again. Your careers Adviser can tell you what the timescales are likely to be.
6 Fit to Join

You'll need to take a medical, an eye test and pre-joining fitness test. Make sure you get yourself in shape to both pass the test and prepare for basic training. For some specialisations you will have to take extra aptitude tests. You'll then have a short interview at a careers office. If we feel you have the potential to train as an officer, you'll enter the selection process, which ends in the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB).
7 Interview

After you’ve passed the recruit test, fitness test and medical you'll have a formal interview with a Careers Adviser. As well as discussing your schooling, work experience, background and interests, it's your chance to show us how much you know about the Royal Navy and your role as a Reservist.
8 Time to get started

Once you’ve passed all the tests we will make you a formal offer of entry and you'll start your basic training at your local RNR unit.