Initial Naval Training Officer Commissioning Course (OCC)

Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Officer Commissioning Course  

Phase 1 training for Officers begins with Initial Naval Training (INT) and continues through Officer Commissioning Course (OCC) Phases 1B and 1C. This progressive pipeline is designed to transform civilians into capable, confident Royal Naval Officers through a structured blend of militarisation, leadership development, and maritime training. 

Initial Training (Phase 1A) is delivered at HMS Raleigh and marks the entry point for Direct Entry Officer Cadets (OCs). This phase takes civilians and introduces them to the military environment, forming the foundation of their development as Service Personnel. Training focuses on core personal, military, and maritime skills, including personal administration, weapons handling, physical fitness, drill, first aid, firefighting, damage control, and sea sense. OCs are also introduced to academic study and undertake three progressive training exercises designed to build resilience, teamwork, navigation skills, and problem-solving ability. On completion of INT(F), Officer Cadets transition to BRNC to begin the Officer Commissioning Course.

Officer Commissioning Course (Phase 1B) builds upon the foundations established during INT, with a strong emphasis on Command, Leadership, and Management (CLM). Officer Cadets further develop their leadership and military skills while gaining a deeper understanding of management and maritime operations. This phase is supported by continued academic study and practical leadership opportunities. Training throughout Phase 1B is designed to develop the OCs ability to lead effectively in increasingly complex environments, culminating in a summative leadership assessment on Dartmoor. 
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Officer Commissioning Course (Phase 1C) focuses on mariner development and the application of leadership within a maritime context. Officer Cadets are trained in navigation, seamanship, and boat handling, and continue to build on their leadership and management capabilities. Academic studies continue alongside practical maritime training. The culmination of Phase 1C is a final summative assessment, integrating leadership, navigation, tactical planning, and seamanship in a realistic and challenging maritime scenario. 

Subject to passing all elements of training, the course concludes with the prestigious Pass-out Parade at BRNC, a proud and defining moment for Officer Cadets and their families. Only at this point can they deservedly call themselves Royal Naval Officers. 

All applicants are subject to the following personal standards:

a. Age 

Each Young Officer must be over 18 and under 25 years old at the start of the course. Exceptionally, candidates up to the age of 34 may be accepted if they meet the medical and fitness requirements, although experience indicates that older candidates have difficulty with the physical aspects of the course.

b. Medical standards

The course contains a significant amount of physical and mental pressure. As a result all Young Officers entering BRNC are required to be medically, dentally and physically fit on joining with reasonable reserves of stamina.

1.  Pre-Course Medical – All potential Young Officers are to have full medical and dental examination no more than 3 months before joining and will have a medical examination on arrival at the college. Candidates must be in good general health with no evidence of chronic or current illness or disease. A Physical & Functional standards questionnaire is to be completed by the student and authorising Officer. On the first day of training, a disclaimer is to be completed by the student, confirming they are medically and physically fit for training.
2. Chest X-ray – The examination is to include a full plate chest X-ray which must be normal.
3. Haematological Screening – Haematological screening for Sickle Cell trait is mandatory. Candidates with a positive trait are not acceptable.
4. Eyesight – Glasses and contact lenses are acceptable. Visual Acuity is to be measured using the Snellen’s Chart system. 
5. Hearing – Candidates are to have an audiometric assessment and must not have hearing loss in either ear, measured in decibels (dB) over 6 frequencies. The hearing standard is derived from a sum of the total hearing loss (dB) within the low and high frequencies as measured by ‘pure-tone air conduction’ audiometry.
6. Physique – Candidates must have a normal physique and be within normal height/weight ratios for their age, maximum Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28.
7. Dental Standards – Dental treatment is costly both in terms of time and money. Candidates whose dental health is assessed as likely to cause problems will not be allowed to proceed to sea. As a result all candidates are to be in good dental health before joining and have no evidence of dental disease, decay or need for ongoing dental treatment.

c. Medical and Dental Checks

Candidates must complete a medical questionnaire prior to joining BRNC and will undergo a full medical screening on arrival. Those outside the above requirements will be considered unfit and returned to home. Any queries concerning an individual’s fitness to commence training should be directed to the Principal Medical Officer, BRNC.

d. Physical Standards

Young Officers undertake a rigorous physical fitness programme and arduous leadership exercises whilst at BRNC. They are expected to participate fully in each session involving a variety of activities such as rope climbing, vaulting and circuit training. The physical training syllabus is designed to produce a progressive development in cardiovascular fitness and endurance.

Potential candidates must have a reasonable level of fitness before joining BRNC, and on joining must be capable of:

1.  Passing Swimming Test (includes swimming 100m in pair of overalls).
2. Running 2.4 Km in 11 minutes 9 seconds If unable to swim or unable to achieve a 2.4 Km run within 10% of the required time, candidates will be considered unfit and returned to their national authorities. These are minimum physical standards required to successfully complete the course at BRNC and candidates undertake a 30 week PT syllabus based on this minimum level of fitness at entry.

In addition to the PT syllabus, all Young Officers will be expected to participate in at least two different sports per week. These sessions are compulsory and form part of the overall syllabus. In general, each person participates in a team sport, relevant to the time of year, on Mondays and another sport on Wednesdays.

e. Academic Standards

1. Educational standard to UK GCSE passes of minimum Grade C in English Language and Mathematics of equivalent standard. Desirable to have GCSE pass (Grade C) in Physics or acceptable equivalent standard.
2. English Language Standards – Minimum IELTS level 5.5 in all 4 disciplines (speaking, reading, writing and listening). Achievement of IELTS 6 in all 4 disciplines gives greater indication of success on INT(O).