RFA Training

Officers are the Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s management team. They provide the leadership that makes sure we're there whenever and wherever the Royal Navy needs us. As an officer you’ll also be responsible for the development, welfare, morale and ultimately the lives of the people under your command.

How far you take your career is in your hands and depends on your achievements and ambition. To begin with, you'll start your career as a Third Officer. As you gain experience and prove yourself in the line of duty, you could work your way up the ranks to Commodore – the highest officer rank in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

If you're interested in joining the RFA as an officer, you can find out about the training, the steps to signing up, the pay – and more – below.

Download the RFA Careers Guide

Case study

NAME:: Matt
ROLE:: Deck Officer
RANK:: Officer

In the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, we have the best of both worlds. We are Ministry of Defence civil servants and we use Royal Navy training, courses and establishments.

I had to make a decision between the MOD police or the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Choosing between standing on a gate for 12 hours a day or travelling the world wasn’t a hard decision.

Find your RFA role

Discover more detailed training, eligibility and career development information choose your RFA role from the Royal Navy role finder tool.

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Training routes

Ratings

As a Royal Fleet Auxiliary rating, your training begins at one of three places, HMS Raleigh in Cornwall, HMS Sultan or HMS Collingwood in Hampshire. Wherever you’re based initially, the training you’ll receive will give you the basics you need to do your job.

Officers

Your training as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary officer begins at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) at Dartmouth. Here, you’ll spend seven weeks learning about us and our role and developing your leadership and management skills.