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Royal Navy Officer
Looking ahead
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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