Royal Marines Officer

Service:Royal Marines
Level:Officer
Adventure
Combat and security
Management
royal marines officer
Favourite

The role at a glance

Pound coin icon.

£39,600

Potential salary after 26 months

Sunshine icon.

Six

weeks' paid leave every year

Doctors bag icon.

Free

Medical and dental care

Money icon.

£31,000

Earn more than this amount from day one

Globe icon.

Travel

Around the world

Graduation cap icon.

Two

The minimum number of A levels you need

What you’ll do

Can you lead the leaders? The Royal Marines are the world’s most elite amphibious force. And if you’re a Royal Marines Commando Officer you’ll be in charge of the best. Your determination will know no bounds, just like your ability to get the most out of your team. As you tackle some of our most challenging operations, you’ll encounter everything from the hottest deserts, to the freezing Arctic. And to get the job done, you’ll need that something special that sets you apart: your state of mind.

If you have questions, talk to us

call us 0345 600 1444

Your role

  • Lead deployments to wherever your team is needed, from humanitarian aid and peacekeeping missions in the Middle East, to responding to global conflicts in some of the most hostile environments imaginable.
  • Operate from Royal Navy ships and aircraft, using state of the art weapons as you deploy to conflict zones all over the world. You might be neutralising a terrorist threat in North Africa one day, and supporting domestic forces in the Middle East the next.
  • Embody the Royal Marines ethos. That means combining the Commando values (excellence, integrity, self-discipline and humility), the Commando qualities (courage, determination, unselfishness and cheerfulness), with the Commando mindset: “Be the first to understand; the first to adapt and respond; and the first to overcome.”
  • The people you lead will be exceptional soldiers, who are prepared to go wherever you ask them. To command their respect, you’ll need to show that you can do whatever you ask of them. That’s why you’ll complete the same Commando course, and play a hands-on role in every operation.
     

What you’ll get

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • A Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute 
  • Vocational qualification based on your chosen specialisation
     

Skills you'll develop

  • How to lead the world’s most elite amphibious troops and protect our nation’s interests 
  • Essential military, strategic, decision-making, management and leadership skills
     

Career progression

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

What you'll need

Eligibility

  • Aged 18 to 25 when you start Basic Training
  • You’ll need a minimum of 72 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g., BTEC)
  • You’ll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English and Mathematics
  • A National of the United Kingdom or Ireland, 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
  • The ability to pass the swimming assessment during the Royal Marine Officer Selection Course 
  • Women interested in a career in Ground Close Combat roles in the Royal Marines may be at greater risk than men from Musculoskeletal injury, reproductive health and mental ill-health – click here for more information

Check eligibility

Skills and interests

  • A natural leader, self-discipline
  • Physical fitness and mental robustness
  • Positivity in the face of adversity
  • The ability to make decisions under pressure

Starting your career

Joining process

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

  • Submit your application

  • Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) which is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform

  • Take the medical and eye tests

  • Pass the Pre-Joining Fitness Test Plus (PJFT+)

  • Attend the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)

    This stage is unique to officers and takes place in two parts. A Pre Recorded Interview (PRI) is an online assessment which assesses your motivation to join the Royal Navy as an officer and your awareness of the Royal Navy. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage of the AIB and is an online competency based assessment which will take place on a separate day to the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance

  • Complete the Royal Marines Officer Selection Course (OSC)

DISCOVER THE FULL JOINING PROCESS

Find out more

Initial Training

Once you've passed the recruiting process and been selected by the Final Selection Board (FSB), you'll be given a date to start Initial Training at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone. You'll spend 16 months here, learning all the skills you need to become an elite amphibious soldier.

You will join with a group of fellow Young Officer Recruits, known as a batch. You'll stay with your batch throughout your time at CTCRM, finishing your training and earning your green beret together. You'll also develop the advanced tactical skills and leadership qualities you’ll need to motivate, train and inspire Royal Marines Commandos in camp, on exercise, and in the field.

You will take part in regular exercises, including a three-week deployment to the USA towards the end of the course. You'll also need to pass the same Commando Course as other ranks, which includes four tests: an endurance course, a nine-mile speed march, a Tarzan assault course, and a 30-mile march. The only difference is that you'll have to complete these tests in a shorter time than other ranks recruits.

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

more about initial training

Find out more

Professional training

You will complete your Officer Training with Advanced Military Management Training and Unit Management, Exercise Planning and Final Exercise phases. These will give you the strategic, decision-making, management and leadership skills that you'll call upon every day. 

Your personal development will continue throughout your career in the Royal Marines, with regular opportunities to gain specialist skills and further enhance your leadership abilities.

Start my application
Tell me more
Call 0345 600 1444
Find your local AFCO

Need more information?

Recommended roles

Aircrewman

Join us

Royal Marines Reservist

Join us

General Entry Rating Reserve

Join us

Naval Nurse Mental Health Nurse (Qualified)

Join us