At a glance
Take a step out of your comfort zone. Push yourself further. You don’t even need any previous Naval experience, just the commitment to complete your Basic Training alongside your day job.
Job Role
General Entry Rating Reserve
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.
- No qualifications
- Surface Fleet
- Royal Naval Reserve
- Rating level
Pension
Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Paid Leave
Proportionate to attendance
Travel
All around the world
Tax-Free
Annual bounty for training commitment
14.5%
Extra pay if you’re mobilised
When I joined the Royal Navy Reserve I knew it would be a big undertaking. A life changing journey that would affect my personality and character. I don’t think I could get that with any other kind of work, or by doing anything else.
Role details
What you’ll do
As a General Entry Rating in the Royal Navy Reserve (RNR), you’ll be taking a step out of your comfort zone. A step that will start an adventure. You don’t even need any previous Naval experience, just the commitment to complete your basic training alongside your day job. If you can do that, you’ll open up the extraordinary. Travelling the world, doing things you never thought you’d do, and seeing things you never thought you’d see.
Your role
- Basic training in the Royal Navy Reserve is delivered in modules, and can easily be completed in 12 months if you attend training weekends and weekday evening sessions.
- After you’ve completed your basic military training, you can select a specialism and join an active unit. You might choose to become a Diver, supporting the Fleet Diving Squadron, or an Engineer Reservist who gets hands-on with our state-of-the-art equipment.
- When you’re mobilised for deployment, you’ll join regular ranks in protecting our nation’s interests all over the world. That might mean working on humanitarian aid operations in the Philippines, or providing logistical support in a conflict zone in the Middle East.
- 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.
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
- Membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
- Expenses and allowances when training
- Access to the Royal Navy’s superb sports and fitness facilities
Skills for life
- Progressive leadership and management training courses are embedded in your career path
- You will have the opportunity to take a range of vocational courses, depending on your specialism
Skills you’ll develop
- Determination, discipline, and confidence which will transfer into your civilian life
- Responsibility, time management and personal organisation skills
Eligibility
- You must be aged 16 to 42 when you start training
- No qualifications are required for this role
- You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National. Dual nationality restrictions apply
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills & Interests
- Problem solvers with a keen eye for detail
- Team players
- A willingness to help shipmates
- A high level of physical and mental fitness
- An interest in spending time at sea
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
Your first step is to fill out an online application form. If you have any questions beforehand, you can phone us on 0345 600 3222
Step 2
Presentation
You will be invited to attend an Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation (IMRP) at your nearest Unit. This is your chance to have a look around, meet the team, ask any questions and find out about life in the Reserves
Step 3
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
You will be invited to your nearest Armed Forces Career Office (AFCO) for an interview, where we will check your eligibility and outline the joining process. See more advice here. You will then sit the DAA, which assesses: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Step 4
Join your local Unit
You will then be invited to join your Unit for Attestation. This involves swearing allegiance to His Majesty The King and signing the Official Secrets Act. At this point you’ll be a Phase 0 recruit, and will attend weekly drill nights, however you won’t be able to start formal training until you pass your medical and fitness test
Step 5
Medical and fitness test
The medical tests are carried out by your nearest Ministry of Defence approved doctor, but eye tests can be completed at selected high street centres. The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) requires you to complete a 2.4km run on a treadmill at a local approved fitness centre.
Step 6
Phase 1 training
You’ll now be a signed-up member of the Royal Naval Reserve as a Phase 1 recruit. At this stage you’ll be given your Royal Navy identification card and uniform, and be able to conduct formal basic training
Step 8
Training
During your Phase 1 training you will learn about life in the Royal Navy. This takes place on weekly drill nights. You’ll also spend two weekends learning about life in the military and what it is like at sea
Step 9
Confirmation course
This two-week course is held at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC). Officer Cadets also have to undertake a pre-BRNC selection weekend to ensure you are ready for the course
Got a question?
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day