Operating Department Practitioner Reserve

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

• Submit an application

  Your first step is to request and fill in your online application. If you have any questions beforehand, you can phone us on 0345 600 3222

• 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

• Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview

  You will be invited to an interview, which is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform, 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. Learn more and practise the DAA. You will also be invited to have an interview with the medical recruiting team

• Join your local Unit

  You will then be invited to join your Unit for Attestation. This involves swearing allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• Confirmation course

  This two-week course is held at HMS Raleigh. Once you’ve completed this you will go on to specialise in your chosen discipline

Training and development continues throughout your career with the Royal Navy Reserve.

Basic Training takes place at weekends and on weekday evenings at your local unit. These link in with national training weekends where you’ll train with people from other units. You’ll complete a 1-week weapons course, before attending a 2-week confirmation course at HMS Raleigh. There you’ll train alongside ratings who are completing their Basic Training for the full-time Royal Navy.

Training is also conducted online via a Virtual Learning Environment, so you’ll need access to the Internet. There's also a swimming test, so if you can't swim, make sure you learn by the time you join us.

Once you have completed basic initial training you will become a formal member of the reserve Medical Branch. Your training then includes broad operating department practitioner training, within the branch, and courses tailored to your specialty. You will have the opportunity to attend wider tri-service training across the Defence Medical Services including annual conferences and meetings. The training is designed to prepare you to support the Royal Navy and wider military, whatever the challenge, worldwide.