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Travelling the world, making a difference, shaping a career that’s built around your skills and ambitions. It’s about as far away from a regular day job as you can get. Many employers claim that ‘every day is different’ or ‘it’s not a regular 9-5’. The Royal Navy can genuinely make that claim. Whether you join us as an officer or a rating, you’ll enjoy the same prospects for a highly rewarding future: training, travel, adventure – and a career like no other.
I get to be part of a wide variety of missions. I’ve been involved in search-and-rescue, using the winch to pull people to safety, and on the frontline where I’ve fired machine guns.
Whether we’re on ship or at the shore base, there’s always time to wind down. I might head to the mess for a drink, or catch up on some sleep!
I’m a trained first aider – it’s part of my role – so I’m on call to help out if anyone gets into trouble and needs a hand.
I work on the new Lynx Wildcat, operating from a Type 45 Destroyer. That means surveillance, so I’m feeding vital info back to the ship’s ops room.
A big part of my job is pre-flight planning, so I work with the Pilot and Commanding Officers to plan and fine-tune the mission.
The Lynx is a master of all trades, so we use it for Search and Rescue missions, like the recent refugee operations in the Med.
Training’s happening for us all the time, so I’m constantly honing my skills, which means time in the classroom and in the air.
Learn more about the vital team that is Naval Command’s ‘eyes in the sky’. The branch that extends our global reach.
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I was leading a team of engineers from the start, so my decisions really count – and have real consequences, too. Four years in, I’m working hard towards becoming chartered, so I’m very busy. But very ‘good busy’.”
Breakfast in the officers’ mess sets me up for the day. Hearty, wholesome or both, I have all the fuel I need to get the job done.
As part of Naval Command, Officers receive a morning briefing outlining objectives and exercises each team needs to complete that day.
We’ll complete a set of explosive rounds in the magazines.
I’m the systems engineer on duty. With my team, I make sure the ship's maneuvering and weapons systems are in working order.
As the officer of the day, I represent the Captain, making sure everything on the ship is running safely and smoothly, whatever our mission.
There’s always time to enjoy a bit of downtime. Sometimes I’ll get ahead on admin or emails, but more often it’ll be exercise – basketball on deck often means paperwork waits until tomorrow.
Working day done, you can unwind in the officer’s mess and enjoy the subsidised bar, watch TV, study for post-grad quals, or just watch the world go by.
Learn more about the branch that keeps the Royal Navy moving. Our engineers are essential to global operations.
I wanted variety from my job and the Royal Navy’s got that by the bucketload. I’m learning new skills and meeting new friends with the added bonus of knowing I’m part of a huge global effort.
Depending on what shift I’m working, the day starts with me either preparing or eating a hearty breakfast. Every meal time affects the morale of the ship's company - I feel I'm a vital part in providing it.
Everyone on board has their part to play, so I’m trained as a vital team member in damage-control. There are regular fire drills to keep us on our toes.
I’m also trained as a Level 2 first aider, so when I’m part of a Duty Watch in port I’m the person who deals with any casualties.
When we have VIPs on board we can really show off and produce world class dishes. We're fully trained in ‘front of house’ duties so sometimes get the chance to meet royalty!
When we're at sea, we play sports on the upperdeck, sun bathe with a book or whale-watch. On my last deployment I visited the pyramids, went on safari in Kenya, and watched camel racing in Dubai.
After dinner we relax down the mess deck, holding X-Box competitions, watching TV or chilling on laptops. If we’re alongside we’re usually go out exploring what each country has to offer.
Learn more about the branch that provides the support we need, when we need it, all over the world.
Life in the Royal Navy is extraordinary, which is why I wanted to join in the first place. Doing vital work in some amazing places gives you a real buzz.
I'm on an intensive care placement and the Royal Navy will pay for me to specialise. It can be full on, but I chose it so I'm ready for the real thing.
There’s a lot of coursework to get through, so I have time to get my head down and hit the books. I have a lot of support - my tutor is so helpful.
As a student I get to rotate around all the different clinical areas, it's a really good way to see how everyone works as a team.
We’re really well supported throughout our training, so there’s always time to spend with my mentor. One day, I’ll be one, so it’s great experience.
As a Naval Nurse, we have to keep our military skills up. We do extra military training as a class, it means we can help on operations in other ways.
I get downtime every day and getting paid to study means I can enjoy it. When you live and work with your friends, there’s always something going on.
Learn more about the branch that keeps our most vital asset – our people – in the best possible shape.
Logistics in the Submarine Service is incredibly demanding – you’re juggling what seems like a million things at the same time. I thrive on it. Knowing how important our missions are makes it even more worthwhile.
My job requires a lot of concentration, so I try and have a big breakfast that will keep me going all morning. There’s plenty of choice and it’s a great start to the day.
I take responsibility for making sure the boat has the right equipment and supplies, so I need to liaise with my crewmates to understand what’s needed.
When I get a break, I like to head down to the gym. There’s some cardio equipment and weights, so I can do a good workout before I have to get back to work.
The equipment and supplies on a submarine are worth millions of pounds, so I have to pay close attention to the accounts and report to the Captain.
I’ve got operational duties to carry out, just like everyone else on board. When we’re close enough to the surface, I man the periscope and help the Office of the Watch.
After work I head down to the mess, where I get to socialise with the other officers, enjoy a couple of drinks and unwind.
Learn more about the Submarine service
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I’m right in the thick of it in the Warfare branch. It’s hands-on and can be full on, but that’s part of the buzz – it’s why I love it. It beats sitting behind a desk by a mile.
Part of my job is ‘watch on the bridge’, acting as a helmsman. It means I’m actually in charge of steering the ship, a billion-pound Type 45 Destroyer.
When we’re on operation, the information I gather is crucial to the overall mission, so I’m sending key data to other vessels for their Commanding Officers to make decisions.
We get time off every day, so if the operation allows it, I’ll spend time phoning family and catching up with friends back home. Or Xbox Fifa!
The job gets pretty physical, so keeping up a good level fitness is really important. When time allows, I’ll hit the treadmill or rowing machine in the gym we have on board.
I work in the ops room a lot, using our Early Warning Radar system. I pass info to my Warfare Officer, to make decisions about the mission.
We’re constantly taking part in training, as part of the duty watch.
Learn more about the branch that’s on the frontline of our operations all over the world.
