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Royal Marines officer

Alternative titles for this job include Commando officer

Royal Marines officers lead commando teams on security, combat and relief operations.

Average salary (a year)

£33,000 Starter

to

£60,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

Variable variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • applying directly to the Royal Navy

Volunteering

You can join the Royal Marines Reserve as an entry officer to get experience of life in the service and to learn new skills at the same time.

You'll need to be aged between 18 and 42, or 18 and 56 if you're an ex-regular.

If you're between 13 and 18 years old, you can join the Royal Marines Cadets.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for marines officer training.

You'll need to be:

  • aged between 18 and 25
  • at least 145cm tall
  • physically fit

You'll also usually need a minimum of:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 2 A levels or equivalent

If your initial application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. You will then do the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) followed by medical and physical fitness checks, and interviews.

If you get through the first stages, you will be asked to attend a two-and-a-half-day course at the Royal Marines training centre at Lympstone in Devon. If successful, you'll go onto full officer training.

You will complete a Chartered Management Institute qualification in Management and Leadership during training. You may take other qualifications depending on which specialism you choose to follow.

More Information

Career tips

You will need to pass physical fitness assessments, including swimming, to be accepted into the Royal Navy. Get fit to Join has information on how to check your current fitness and how to improve to the level required.

Further information

You can find more details about how to become an officer in the Royal Marines from Royal Navy Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills to manage and motivate commandos
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills for making quick decisions
  • persistence and determination
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a Royal Marines officer, you could:

  • plan frontline assault operations and tactics
  • lead commando troops on exercises in extreme environments
  • manage weapon systems
  • make judgements on intelligence reports
  • fly aircraft and helicopters
  • make sure troops are ready to move at short notice

    Working environment

    You could work at a military base, on a ship or in a warzone.

    Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

    You may need to wear a uniform and protective clothing.

    Career path and progression

    Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

    Career path and progression

    After 26 months you will be promoted to captain and then on to the higher ranks.

    Throughout your Royal Marines career, you'll have the opportunity to gain qualifications in your chosen field.

    On leaving active service, you could use your skills, qualifications and experience to go into a new career. You can find details about support and opportunities from:

    Current opportunities

    Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

    Current opportunities

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    Courses In England

    Uniformed Services Courses (STC)

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    • Start date: 01 September 2025
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    Uniformed Public Services

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    • Location: Bradford
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