Royal Navy Officer: The joining process

The first step is choosing the role that you think is right for you. There are nineteen officer roles to choose from, each enabling you to shape a career that fits your skills and ambitions. Each role has its own specific entry and eligibility criteria, depending on its discipline and skillset. With such breadth of opportunity, there’s no need to be 100% sure of your role at this stage. To find the role that's right for you click on the button below.

We'll then arrange for you to take the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA), which all potential recruits have to complete. It tests your general intellectual ability, and how well you do shows your capacity to cope with the academic aspects of selection for the role you’ve chosen.

After your DAA you will have a short initial interview with your Area Careers Liaison Officer (ACLO), which is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform, who will talk you through the recruitment process and your suitability for a career in the Royal Navy. During this interview they will talk you through your Officer Applicant Questionnaire. This is a form that is sent prior to your DAA and provides you with the opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experience.

Life in the Royal Navy is physically demanding, which is why the medical and eye exam are quite comprehensive.

Your tests must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors, who are based all around the country. Capita Medical will arrange an appointment for you at a convenient time and location. This stage of the joining process may run parallel to the DAA and interview, so that we can process your application as soon as possible.

Before you can join you'll have to pass the Royal Navy's Pre-Joining Fitness Test, which involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a specified time, at a fitness centre near you. This will also be arranged by your local AFCO. You’ll need to be in great shape to give yourself the best possible chance of passing, and going on to complete Royal Navy Training.

You’ll find more details about fitness in our 'joining’ section.

The interview stage is designed to assess your suitability for a career in the Royal Navy, and specifically the role that you have chosen. This will also ensure you are ready for the Admiralty Interview Board. This is much like any other job interview, so you should prepare accordingly.

The AIB is a stage of the joining process that’s specific to officers. It is designed to assess your suitability to join the Royal Navy as an officer against a set of 6 core competencies. Visit 'How can I prepare?' to find out more on the full process.

To be eligible for selection you’ll also need to pass a Security and Reference Check. Then, if you're selected by the final selection board, you'll be given a Notice of Eligibility and Confirmed Offer of Service and able to start your training – and your Royal Navy career – at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth. Your Initial Naval Training will be held here, before starting the professional training that’s unique to your role and future. You will be provided with your train ticket, to help you get there, joining instructions and we will tell you what kit you need.

For officers, basic training takes place at Britannia Royal Naval College and takes over 30 weeks.

Training is covered in more detail in the ‘Training and Post-joining’ section.