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Royal Marines officer

Alternative titles for this job include Commando officer

Royal Marines officers lead teams of commandos in combat situations, at sea and on land.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£39,600 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 a Royal Marines officer

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 16 and 42, or 16 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 151.5cm tall (no limit for women)
  • 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. This is followed by assessments, which include medical and fitness checks.

If you get through the first stages, you may be offered a place on a 4-day Potential Officers Course that includes basic training and further assessments. If successful, you'll go onto a full officer training programme.

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 assessment, including swimming, to be accepted into the Royal Navy. Get fit to Join has information on how to assess your current fitness and how to improve to the right level if you need to.

Further information

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

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

Depending on your specialism, you could:

  • plan and lead beach assaults
  • oversee radio communications
  • be in charge of weapons deployment and tactics
  • advise on the use of small arms and train snipers
  • carry out special missions
  • lead and instruct commando troops in mountain exercises
  • collect, co-ordinate and interpret intelligence reports
  • fly aircraft and helicopters
  • develop and supervise training
  • deal with administration, planning and logistics

Working environment

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

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

You may need to wear protective clothing and a uniform.

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.

You could move into other careers once you leave the marines, depending on the skills, training and qualifications you've gained during your service.

The Career Transition Partnership, Quest and Troops to Teachers have more information on careers outside the armed forces.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

The Royal Navy - Royal Marines Commando - HM Forces Serviceperson (Public Services) Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £20,400.00 Annually
  • Location: The Admiral Sir Henry Leach Building, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Courses In England

Uniformed Services

  • Provider: SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE
  • Start date: 12 September 2023
  • Location: Ipswich

Certificate in Uniformed Protective Services

  • Provider: EAST NORFOLK SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 05 September 2023
  • Location: Great Yarmouth

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