Writer (Submariner)

Fast track role A high priority role with an accelerated joining process.
Service:Submarine Service
Branch:Logistics
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Admin
HR
Logistics
Writer working on a computer
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The role at a glance

What you’ll do

As the HR Administrator of a Royal Navy submarine, you’ll make an invaluable contribution to the livelihood of your crew, and most importantly, the security of our nation and reputation of the Submarine Service. You’ll be in charge of Human Resources, dealing with legal matters, salaries, welfare and careers for your 120 crewmates. But most importantly the security of our nation and reputation of the Submarine Service.

But first and foremost you’re a Submariner, part of the highly trained, elite Silent Service. You’ll do everything from steering the submarine and damage control training, to delivering special forces behind enemy lines. It’s about as far from a ‘desk job’ as you can get.

If you have questions, talk to us

Your role

  • Become an essential part of the behind-the-scenes team who ensure your crewmates have everything they need – from your fellow ratings to your Captain
  • You’ll run an extremely tight HR operation, no matter where you are in the world – and regardless of the pressures of the operation you’re deployed on
  • As a submariner, you’ll make a vital contribution to highly classified missions all over the world, part of the team that’s at the vanguard of our nation’s defence
  • Stay up to date with industry best practice, gaining recognised HR qualifications including an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Business and Administration

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or a degree
  • Gain specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses, like a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard 

Skills you'll develop

  • The excellent organisational skills needed for a seamless HR operation, valued by employers all over the world
  • A pin-sharp eye for detail, collaborative teamwork, professionalism and problem-solving, and the ability to communicate at all levels 
     

Career progression

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You need to be aged between 16-39
  • No qualifications are required for this role
  • British National (or hold Dual Nationality iaw UKSV policy)
  • You need to be a minimum height of 157cm
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills and interests

  • A keen interest in HR, and its importance within the Submarine Service
  • A genuine people person, who can be proactive and reactive in a broad variety of personal and professional situations 
  • A problem-solver, with a common sense approach, who can work well as part of a team
  • A real sense of adventure, with a high level of physical and mental fitness

 

Check Eligibility

Starting your career

Joining process

Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:

  • Submit an application

    Once you’ve registered your interest and have satisfied the basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form

  • Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)

    You’ll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
    To prepare, you can practise the DAA

  • Interview

    A formal interview to talk through your suitability for the role. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform

  • Medical and eye tests

    These are quite comprehensive and must be completed by one of our Ministry of Defence-approved doctors

  • Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT)

    This involves completing a 2.4km run on a treadmill within a certain time, at a fitness centre near you

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, including a Swimming Test and a fitness assessment, is a pass or fail course

  • Start training

    Once you’ve passed a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh


Initial training

Your Royal Navy career begins with 10 weeks’ basic training at HMS Raleigh, a shore base in Torpoint, Cornwall. The discipline, teamwork, organisational, firefighting and weapon handling skills you learn here will stay with you right through your career.

Aim to get yourself as fit as possible before you arrive. You’ll be doing a lot of physical exercise, and you’ll find it much easier if you’re already in shape.

There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.


Professional training

Once you have essential military and maritime skills under your belt, it's time to start 10 weeks of specialist training. As an HR Administrator (Writer) you'll embark on a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard as well as covering everything from Employment Rights and Responsibilities to Pay and Accounting and gaining Functional Skills up to Level 2 in English and Maths.

Your training includes:

  • Pay and accounting
  • Personnel management and discipline matters
  • Correspondence
  • Security
  • Office procedures
  • Cash handling

After successfully completing your professional training, you will then commence your Submarine Qualification (SMQ) at HMS Neptune, Faslane, Scotland near Glasgow; the home of the Royal Navy’s Submarine Service. You’ll learn about submarine operations, including: warfare, weapons, nuclear propulsion and escape training, and go to sea in a submarine. After this, there’ll be a test to check your knowledge. When you pass, you’ll earn your ‘Dolphins’ – the coveted badge of a qualified Submariner.