Mythbusting

Myths

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines offer very few opportunities for women

The Naval Service is an equal opportunities employer and women have served at sea on surface ships since 1991. Women can join the Royal Navy and serve in all branches, except as Royal Marines Commandos. This policy is regularly reviewed. We, for example, have women who serve in the Royal Marines Band Service, Medical and Dental branches, as Warfare specialists, as Aircrew and Divers and as Logisticians and Engineers.

People aren’t allowed to practise their religion if they are in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines

The Naval Service encourages people from all faiths to practise their religious observances, though occasionally there may be some restrictions for operational reasons. Whenever possible, people are allowed to observe religious festivals or holidays and to pray during religious festivals. Halal, Kosher and vegetarian meals and operational ration packs are provided. Our personnel have access to Naval Service Chaplains and civilian Chaplains to the Military (Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh). The Naval Service has a number of internal groups, societies and networks that are able to provide additional support and advice on matters of religion or belief.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines are only for white, middle-class people

The Naval Service is interested in people with potential, regardless of sex, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and social and educational background.

Your questions answered

Can women join the Royal Navy?

Women can join the Royal Navy, Royal Navy Reserves, QARNNS and Royal Marines Band Service and serve in all branches; however female personnel are currently excluded from serving as Royal Marines Commandos. This Armed Forces (AF) policy is regularly reviewed.

Why are women not allowed to serve in the Royal Marines?

There are a number of roles in the AF which are closed to women on grounds of medical or combat effectiveness/team cohesion. Those roles are; Royal Marines Commandos; the Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps; the Infantry and Royal Air Force Regiment. However, we do have women who serve in the Royal Marines Band Service, and there are females who have passed the All Arms Commando Course. This allows them to serve in support of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. This legal exemption from discrimination law is regularly reviewed. Can I be LGBT and serve in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines? Yes. The Naval Service is interested in people with potential to do their job, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender. What is the Royal Navy’s ethos regarding Equality and Diversity? Our ethos is inclusive; it welcomes and appreciates differences and we are committed to ensuring that every individual has equality of opportunity for employment, training and advancement based solely on merit, and that they can be themselves at work to achieve their full potential in an environment that is trusting and open. What is your policy on bullying and harassment? Bullying and harassment in the Naval Service is not tolerated; our people should be able to work in an environment free from intimidation, humiliation, harassment or abuse. Any allegations of discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimization will be addressed with impartiality using clearly laid down MoD processes.

Are there any restrictions on age that will limit my employment in the Naval Service?

Under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 the AF have an age exemption on the grounds of combat effectiveness. The delivery of fighting power is primarily the preserve of youth. AF personnel have to be able to respond to a wide range of operational circumstances in the most challenging environments. In order to maintain combat effectiveness and the ability to respond immediately in an emergency, all posts in the AF carry with them an underlying commitment for deployment. For this reason we tend to recruit most of our personnel from the younger end of the age spectrum. Thereafter, the best of these people are progressed to Command positions at non-commissioned and officer level. Unlike other employers, the AF cannot bring personnel in to fill senior positions as they will not have had the required experience. There is a range of compulsory retirement ages for AF personnel based on rank. I have a disability. Can I join the Naval Service? Under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 the AF have a disability exemption on the grounds of combat effectiveness. However, subject to a medical board, where AF personnel become disabled during the course of their service and a suitable post can be found for them, they may be retained – this decision is made on a case by case basis and retention is not guaranteed. The Government do not expect the rationale for the exemption from the Equality Act to change; hence there are no plans to remove this exemption.

What support is provided for Naval Service personnel with families?

The Naval Service provides a wide range of support to families of serving personnel. These include; flexible/alternative working patterns (operational commitment permitting), statutory maternity and paternity provision, support from the Naval Families Federation, Naval Personal and Family Service and RM Welfare groups providing comprehensive social work, community and advice service to Naval Service personnel and their families. Many Naval and Royal Marine establishments provide crèche facilities for working parents.

If Naval Service personnel are deployed on operations, what arrangements are in place for their children?

The Naval Service has an interest in helping sailors and marines balance the needs of their employment with their family life. However as sailors and marines, serving parents or carers must be available for deployment at any time and thus have a responsibility for ensuring that they have arrangements in place to care for their children or dependant adults should they need to be away. Advice and guidance for serving parents is available from Career Managers and Naval Service support networks. AF policies allow serving couples with dependant children to accommodate only one serving parent being deployed at any one time.