How to join
Everything you need to know about joining the Royal Marines
This step-by-step guide runs you through the general process for joining the Royal Marines. You’ll have to be in peak physical shape – and make sure you show what you’ve got in the written tests as well.
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1Get in touchx
1. Get in touch
A short chat or filling in a simple form is all it takes to find out if you’re eligible to apply to the Royal Marines. Call us on 08456 00 14 44 or fill in the form.
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2Meet usx
2. Meet us
If you’re eligible, we'll book you in for an Initial Careers Presentation (ICP) at a careers office near you. It’s your chance to learn more about us and the job opportunities open to you.
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3Find out morex
3. Find out more
After the ICP, the Careers Adviser can help with any questions you might have. If you’re still interested in joining the Royal Marines, you can fill in a short application form – and let us know how quickly you want to move things along.
Remember, this application doesn’t commit you to joining the Royal Marines.
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4Show us what you've gotx
4. Show us what you've got
We'll arrange for you to take the Royal Navy recruitment test (RT). It covers basic English, maths, problem solving skills and understanding of mechanics. It’s a good idea to work through some examples first before you sit the real thing. Now’s also the time to think about which job you’d like to do.
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5Your career pathx
5. Your career path
To help you find the best role for you we’ll take a look at your RT results alongside any existing qualifications. Then we can chat through the most suitable jobs. And if you don’t pass the RT first time around, don’t worry. You can take it again. Your Careers Adviser will tell you what the timescales are likely to be.
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6Fit to joinx
6. Fit to join
Once you’ve passed your RT and chosen your role, you will need to take a medical and eye test as well as the Royal Navy Pre Joining Fitness Test. So get yourself in the best shape possible to have the greatest chance of passing. It will also help with basic training too. Want help getting fit? Take a look at our pre-joining fitness programme.
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7Test yourselfx
7. Test yourself
Potential Royal Marines Course (PMRC) and
Potential Officers Course (POC)Over three days at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone, you’ll have to pass a range of physical and mental tests in the gym, the classroom and on the assault course. If you’re a potential Royal Marines Officer, you’ll also have to show your leadership potential and ability to work as part of a team, as well as pass the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB).
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8Time to get startedx
8. Time to get started
Once you’ve passed all the tests, we’ll make you a formal job offer. If you’re still up to the challenge, don’t forget to stay in peak shape. Because basic training is physically as well as mentally demanding. So we suggest following our fitness programme. Then, as soon as a place becomes available, you can start your basic training.
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You can also take a look below at helpful information about funding your studies while you train, recommended fitness levels, Royal Marines entry requirements, age limits and more.
Training
Now the real work begins with basic training at Royal Marine training centre Lympstone. Have you got what it takes to make it through and join the ranks?
Get fit to join
If you’re thinking of joining the Royal Marines you’ll need to make sure you’re in great shape – and have the strength and stamina to survive, and make the most of, basic training. To help you get ready, we’ve put together a fitness programme which will get you in the zone.
RM training diaries
Read fascinating training diaries written by the recruits and young Officers at Lympstone Commando Training Centre as the develop their skills.
Eligibility
Everyone joining the Royal Marines has to meet some basic entry requirements. These differ depending on the service you’d like to join, whether you want to be an officer or a rating – and whether you’d like to be a full time Regular or a spare time Reserve. See if you’re eligible to join.
Life as a Commando
Wearing the green beret means a life of adventure and challenge – where you deploy your specialist skills in some of the world’s toughest conditions. But you’ll also have plenty of opportunity to develop through ongoing training – and experience a camaraderie unique to the Royal Marines.
Life as a RM Officer
Becoming a Royal Marines Officer is a longer and more difficult training. Because in order to command your men effectively, they need to know you’ll never ask them to do something you can’t do yourself. Once you’ve passed your initial training, you’ll go on to learn all the tactical and leadership skills needed to motivate, train and inspire Royal Marine Commandos in camp, on exercise and on the field.
Life as a Royal Marines Reserve
Want to be part of an elite military group? Experience real adventure? And answer your country’s call when it needs you? Then the Royal Marines Reserve might be the challenge you’ve been looking for.
Royal Marine Band Service
The Royal Marines Band Service lets you combine music-making at a high level with an active, challenging military role. Throughout your career with the Royal Marines Band Service you will be playing at a consistently high level – for heads of state, for royalty and foreign dignitaries. As well as taking part in our world famous marching band. You will also have crucial duties during active service.
