OFFICER TRAINING

After passing the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) you’ll enter the Royal Naval Reserve as an Officer Cadet and complete the Initial Naval Training package in preparation for a challenging two-week course at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth.

Building on the command, leadership and management skills you gained during initial naval training the course includes boat-handling, fitness tests, leadership tasks, strategic studies lectures and parade training. Assuming you pass the assessments that take place throughout the course you’ll be awarded a formal Commission and move on to the next stage of training.

As well as regular training nights and weekends, you’ll then spend two weeks at sea shadowing the Duty Officer on board a warship to see how different departments work together. When you’re ready, you’ll sit your Fleet Board, the biggest milestone on your journey to becoming a Royal Naval Reserve Officer.

After passing the Fleet Board you’ll be confirmed in your rank and assigned to a Specialisation to begin professional training.

Part of this is the Divisional Officers’ course, because you’ll be responsible for the welfare of your ratings.

Specialist Entry Officers undertake the same initial training package before taking up a specialist role.

Training will be a constant feature of your Royal Navy Reserve career. Through courses and exercises at naval establishments and at sea you’ll develop the command, leadership and management skills you need to fulfil your job, both in peacetime and on active service.