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Royal Navy Officers are responsible for managing and leading operations that may be undertaken on ships, submarines, aircraft, naval air stations and shore establishments. Their particular role may include such duties as commanding a warship in the Atlantic, flying a Lynx helicopter, supervising the safe operation of a submarine nuclear propulsion plant or providing emergency medical care. They also take responsibility for the management and leadership of non-commissioned personnel.

Officer specialisms include warfare, aviation, diving, Royal Marines, hydrographic and meteorology, engineering, supply and training management. You could also serve as a medical, dental or nursing officer or as a chaplain.

Entry level

The minimum qualifications for Royal Navy officers are two A levels/AH grades or three H grades and three GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3), including English language and maths at either level. Alternative qualifications may also be considered. There are about 7,500 officers in the Royal Navy and, apart from submarines and clearance diving, all jobs are open to men and women.

You can join the Royal Navy as an officer from the age of 17. The minimum height is 151.5 centimetres, and your weight must be in proportion to your height. There are strict eyesight standards and you must pass a medical. You must also meet the Royal Navy nationality and residence requirements.

You would normally start through Naval College Entry (NCE) or, if you have a degree, through Direct Graduate Entry (DGE). Your rank on joining would be either midshipman or sub-lieutenant, depending on your age. There are separate entry and training routes for medical, dental and nursing officers and chaplains.

You would have to pass a series of selection tests held at the Admiralty Interview Board at HMS Sultan, Gosport. These last two days and include aptitude tests, practical initiative tests, gym tests and interviews.

Making the grade

All new officers begin with Naval General Training at the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. This varies from two to five terms, depending on your qualifications and entry route. It includes six weeks on an operational warship. Specialist training for your chosen branch begins at the end of this course.

Warfare officers, for example, follow their Naval General Training with up to 12 months at sea, before moving on to further professional training such as the 16-week Officer of the Watch course. If they wish to specialise, they can progress to further training in areas such as air traffic control or fighter control, aircrew trainee pilot or observer, mine warfare and clearance diver, submariner or hydrographic surveyor. They may also take a Principal Warfare Officer course.

Personal qualities

Outstanding leadership and teamworking skills are essential. You must be able to think and react quickly, and be ready to accept responsibility, make decisions and manage other people. You should be able to communicate with people of all abilities, explain ideas, give spoken and written instructions and motivate others. You must take a keen interest in the people you lead, given your responsibility to inspire, guide and discipline them. You must be physically fit and prepared to work in combat. An interest in science and technology would be important in many of the jobs.

Each specialisation has its own requirements. For example, air traffic control and fighter control officers must be able to stay calm, think quickly and concentrate for long periods; supply officers must be methodical and have a flair for organisation; engineer officers need technological ability and must be good at finding solutions to problems.

Looking ahead

You would join on an initial commission of 12 years as a Royal Navy officer or eight years as a Royal Marines officer. Regardless of your entry route, you would have an equal opportunity to demonstrate your potential and progress to longer commissions. Selection for further commissions begins around two to three years after finishing initial training.

You should be able to expect a new appointment every two or three years. Promotion is through a structured system from midshipman (aged 17-26), through sub-lieutenant (aged 20 plus), lieutenant (aged 22-34) and lieutenant commander (aged 30-37). Beyond that, there are more limited opportunities to progress to commander (aged 38-44), captain (aged 45-48) and admiral (at around 52). Promotion depends on a number of factors, including your ability, experience, qualifications and training.

You may leave before the end of your commission, generally within five years of finishing training.

Alternative suggestions

Within the armed services, you might consider army officer careers, RAF officer or Royal Marines careers. Other possibilities might include air traffic controller, merchant navy officer or police officer.

Take-home pay

The point at which you enter the pay scale would depend upon your commission and, in some cases, your professional or academic qualifications and past experience. For example, if you enter as a Midshipman at 18, you would start on a salary of £14,494; if you enter as a graduate at 21 plus, your starting salary would be £20,680.

Promotion to Lieutenant would take you to a scale ranging from £31,854 to £37,883, while the current top of the scale for a Captain is £72,083.

Some types of work attract additional pay, such as flying pay for pilots and observers, submarine pay for all qualifying submariners and a bonus once you have served at sea for at least 18 months.

Effects

While officers are on call 24 hours a day, you would normally work eight-hour turns of duty. These can include shifts and irregular hours. During exercises and operations, your hours can be long and unpredictable. While serving at sea, you can be separated from your family for several months at a time.

Living accommodation on board ships and submarines is cramped. There is single-sex accommodation for men and women. Within these arrangements, communal living is part of the naval lifestyle.

Sources of information

Royal Navy careers: www.royal-navy.mod.uk