At a glance
Joining the Royal Marines Reserve means being a part-time soldier but a fully trained Commando. You’ll be part of the world’s most elite amphibious force, ready to deploy anytime, anywhere – and who stop at nothing.
Job Role
Royal Marines Reserve
Complete the same Commando Course as our regulars – in your spare time – and deploy with them all over the world.
- No qualifications
- Royal Marines
- Royal Marines Reserve
- Rating level
Extra pay
If you're mobilised
Pay
Civilian wage also matched if mobilised
Paid leave
Proportionate to attendance
Pension
Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Travel
Around the world
I’ve been able to work that really matters on a national and international level. I get to wear my green beret with pride wherever I go, because I’ve earned it as much as anyone else.
Role details
What you’ll do
Joining the Royal Marines Reserve means being a part-time soldier, but a fully trained Commando. You’ll do the same Commando course as everyone who wears the green beret, but you’ll spend evenings and weekends completing the same standards and times.
It’s your opportunity to add a challenge to your everyday life, using your newly developed skills in operational environments, all over the world.
As soon as you’re trained, you're deployable, which means going wherever you’re needed, from conflict zones, to areas hit by humanitarian crisis.
Your role
- Learn management and leadership techniques in an environment that’s far removed from any office, and excel in a career that runs alongside your day job. You could find yourself deployed to operate anywhere from the most treacherous swamps to the barren Arctic.
- Develop a wide range of new skills through your military training, and gain the unique personal qualities like a level of determination, discipline and organisation that can only come from earning your green beret.
- Play an active role in global operations, doing the same job as your regular counterparts, as part of the most elite amphibious fighting force in the world.
- Choose a specialisation and gain a range of new skills that can be applied directly to operational situations. You could become a Heavy Weapons Specialist, landing Craft Coxswain, PTI, Assault Engineer or Swimmer Canoeist.
Pay & benefits
- Extra pay and allowances if you’re mobilised
- Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
- Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
- Uninterrupted membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
- Expenses and allowances when training
- Continued access to the Royal Marines superb sports and fitness facilities
Skills for life
Qualifications you'll gain
- A Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Vocational qualification based on your chosen specialisation
Skills you'll develop
- Determination, discipline, and confidence that will transfer into your civilian life
- A level of physical and mental excellence that will see you shape your life
Eligibility
- You must be aged 16 to 32 when you start training
- The upper age limit may be waived for applicants with previous Royal Marines experience as a trained rank depending on specialisation, currency and rank
- Qualification requirements vary depending on the role
- A National of the United Kingdom, A Commonwealth Citizen or Dual National
- Minimum height of 145cm
- A maximum BMI of 28 (there may be some exceptions to this maximum if your waist measures less than 94cm)
- A minimum weight of 65kg or a minimum BMI of 23
- Must pass Royal Marines Reserve Selection Weekend
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & Interests
- A desire to be part of a team
- A need for adventure
- Maintained 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 your application
Once you’ve registered your interest in the Royal Marines Profession, and have satisfied some basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form.
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.
Step 3
Selection Interview
A formal Selection Interview to assess suitability for the Royal Marines Profession. It will also cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.
Step 4
Fitness Assessment
Conduct the Pre-Joining Fitness Assessment (PJFA) event which will determine your physical preparedness level to increase success at the Royal Marine Candidate Preparation Course (RM CPC). It is also an opportunity to meet with the Royal Marines In-Reach team and build on your preparation for Royal Marines training. There is also a fitness App available to assist in your preparation, available on the website.
Step 5
Attend the Royal Marine Candidate Preparation Course (RM CPC)
This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Marines, including assessments of your Fitness ability, Swimming ability and your Medical eligibility, it is a pass or fail course. Train efficiently and keep a positive state of mind, and you’ll stand a good chance of passing.
Step 6
Start training
Once you’ve passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at Royal Marine Commando Training Centre (CTC) Lympstone to commence your initial training.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.
Day One
Arrive at CTCRM Lympstone for 15 months of basic training
First two years
Join a Commando Unit as Troop Commander, lead 30 Commandos
First Promotion
Do various Young Officer jobs, become Captain after 26 months
Second Promotion
Broaden your command experience, promotion on merit to Major
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day