Ratings

The selection process takes place at your local Armed Forces Careers Office. You will fill in a questionnaire and be given a test covering reasoning, English language, numeracy and mechanical comprehension. At a later date you will have an interview with a Careers Adviser. We'll give you a medical examination and optician eyetest, before assessing your fitness. 

All successful candidates must complete a security questionnaire and then your application is forwarded to the Ministry of Defence for approval. Once a decision has been made, you will receive a letter telling you whether or not you have been selected.

Once you have been selected for entry into the Royal Navy you are eligible to attend a Royal Naval Acquaint Centre Course in HMS Caledonia, Scotland. Without commitment, this will give you a taster of what life will be like during initial training and beyond when you join your first ship or submarine. It's also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have about the Royal Navy in a naval environment plus brief you in detail about your chosen Branch of Preference.

But you're still not in the Navy until you've completed the first part of your training. This training will depend on whether you are entering as an Officer or a Rating.

If you want to be an Officer

All prospective Royal Navy Officers attend the two-day Admiralty Interview Board at HMS Sultan in Hampshire, so we can find out if you have got what it takes. 

Over the two days, we will test you mentally and physically.  You will sit a maths test, spatial orientation tests and tests for speed and accuracy.  We will examine how much you know about the Royal Navy and you will have to write an essay to show us how well you can communicate in writing. 

As well as a fitness test, you will do leadership tests in the gym, where you will have to work with a team to solve practical problems.  And you will do a theoretical problem-solving exercise in the classroom too.