Cryptologic Technician

Fast track role A high priority role with an accelerated joining process.
Service:Surface Fleet
Branch:Warfare
Level:Rating,Apprenticeship
Weapons
Hands on
Warfare
Communications
Strategic
Members of the Ships Company man the Operations Room during a static non firing gunnery exercise
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At a glance

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6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

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£23,496

The minimum you’ll earn after training

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Study

For professional qualifications in languages

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Free

Medical and dental care

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£56,383

Earn in excess of this amount as your career progresses

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Travel

All around the world

What you’ll do

Being a Cryptologic Technician means you’re vital to the ship’s intelligence gathering operation. The go-to for information that shapes the operational decision-making process. Your insight will transform raw data into an indispensable analysis of the situation. You’ll also use your keen eye for detail to prepare briefings for senior officers. It’s these clear and concise reports that will help them make each mission a success.

If you have questions, talk to us

call us 0345 607 55 55

Your role

  • At the heart of every mission, you’ll be in the thick of the action on our most advanced warships, performing an invaluable role as you handle sensitive, and often classified, information.
  • Use a range of highly specialist, cutting-edge communications equipment to gather mission-crucial information for the Captain and senior officers.
  • Operations change quickly, so you’ll adapt to whatever comes your way with quick thinking and clear communication. 
  • You’ll have the sense of pride and purpose that you’ll be helping the Royal Navy do what it does best: protecting our nation’s interests.
Thursday War on board HMS BULWARK Here the Operations OPS Room team are closed up in full antiflash gear

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • Study for professional qualifications in languages or a degree in Intelligence and Security
  • Gain specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses

Skills you'll develop

  • The ability to work accurately and calmly under extreme pressure, providing reliable information for senior officers
  • Become a master at analysing complex information, using your tactical knowledge to produce concise and insightful reports
     

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 16 to 39
  • You’ll need at least 2 GCSEs at grades A-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent)
  • You, your surviving parents and your spouse/partner must hold sole British Citizenship and you must have continually resided in the UK for a minimum of 10 years
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
     

Skills and interests

  • An ability to thrive in high-pressure situations
  • An affinity with technology, computers and electronics
  • A love of teamwork
  • A passion for life at sea
  • 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 

  • Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)

    This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, which is a pass or fail course. This will include:  

    - Pre-Joining fitness test  
    - Swimming test  
    - Medical test  

  • Start training

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

more about the joining process

Find out more

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 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.

more about initial training

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Professional training

Once you have the essential military and maritime skills under your belt, it’s time to start your specialist training.

Cryptologic Technician is a specialised role that will involve almost two years of training before you are fully qualified to take up your first operational assignment. It includes:

  • Warfare Training at HMS Collingwood in Fareham
  • Four to six months of sea training, gaining practical experience of life on board a modern warship 
  • Six months at the Joint Intelligence and Training Group at Chicksands in Bedfordshire, where you’ll gain the technical knowledge and advanced skills that are vital to your role

more about professional training

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