Rejoiners & service leavers

All applications are considered on an individual basis but as a guide, the generic RM and Royal Navy re-entry requirements are as follows:

• If you have not previously served as a Royal Marine Commando, or served but not completed Commando training, you must be under the age of 32 (this includes previous Service in the Army or RAF).
  
  
• If you have served previously as a Royal Marine, completed Commando training, or in some circumstances you have completed the All Arms Course with another Service, the maximum age to re-join is 38. 
  
  
• For the Royal Navy, if you are considered at Trained Strength in your specialisation you can be considered for re-joining up to the age of 50. For Untrained or Part-Trained Strength, you must be under 40. 
  
  
• You are not eligible to re-join if you were previously discharged for CDT failure, Services No Longer Required (SNLR), or Discipline. 
  
  
• Any civilian convictions must be ‘Spent’ prior to an application. 
  
  
• You should be Medically Fully Deployable (MFD). 
  
  
• If your Break in Service is greater than 5 years, your eligibility may be affected.
  
  

• If you were discharged from any Service having not completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 training, you will have a bar to application to the RM/RMR for a minimum period of 6 months post your discharge date.

Our high priority roles currently include Royal Marines, Submariners, Engineers and Catering Services, at both Officer and Ratings ranks. 

Although straight forward, each application is considered on its own merit. Any offer of service will reflect your individual circumstances. Branch managers will review your application and make an offer to you based on: 

• Previous rank/rate and seniority 
• Length of time out of service 
• Your age  
• Your health – you must be fit and healthy 
• Any training needed to get you up to speed

Keep in mind, you can’t rejoin if you left under a Medical Board of Survey (MBOS). 

If you are re-joining as Part or Untrained Strength you will be required to pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment for your chosen role. 

Rejoining within 12 months

If you are coming back fit and healthy and already hold a full Security Clearance, re-entry could take as little as 4 weeks. You will be invited to attend a suitability interview via video link but may not require any other aspects of the recruitment process.

Rejoining within 12 to 24 months

You will be asked to complete a short medical questionnaire, apply for Security Clearance and attend suitability interview via video link. If you have already held a Security Clearance and are fit and healthy, we will hope to welcome you back into the Service within 8 weeks otherwise you could expect to join within 3 to 4 months.

Rejoining after 24 months

You will need to complete the full recruitment process which includes a face to face medical, security clearance, pre-joining fitness test and suitability interview. We hope to invite you back into the service within 3 to 6 months.