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Cryptologic Technician
Job Role

Cryptologic Technician

You’ll be vital to the ship’s intelligence operation, transforming raw data into indispensable analysis.


Fast trackWeaponsHands onWarfareCommunicationsStrategicApprenticeships
  • £18,500 - £56,000
  • GCSEs
  • Surface Fleet
  • Warfare
  • Rating level

At a glance

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.

£23,496

The minimum you’ll earn after training

£56,383

Earn in excess of this amount as your career progresses

Study

For professional qualifications in languages

Free

Medical and dental care

6 weeks

Of paid holiday every year

Travel

All around the world
Members of the Ships Company man the Operations Room during a static non firing gunnery exercise
It’s a very varied role, allowing you to work across agencies at sea and on land. You basically collect information, turn it into intelligence and then consult the commanding officer to inform the shape of the mission.

Carla

Cryptologic Technician, Warfare Branch

Role details

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.

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.

Pay & benefits

  • A starting salary of at least £23,496, after Initial Training
  • Rising to over £37,711 after 2.5 years of Training and Consolidation
  • Earn in excess of £56,383 as your career progresses 
  • An excellent pension scheme
  • Subsidised travel and accommodation 
  • Six weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Free medical and dental care

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
     

Eligibility

  • You must be aged 16 to 39
  • You’ll need at least 2 GCSEs at grades A-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent) including Maths and English Language
  • 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 & 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

Joining Process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

Step 1

Submit an application

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

Apply
Step 2

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

practise the DAA
Step 3

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

Step 4

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

CPC
Step 5

Start training

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

Career Progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day one

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.

Years one and two

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

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