Royal Navy ratings can work on board a ship or submarine at sea, or in a Royal Navy shore base.

Ratings work to support the sea-going fleet and personnel across a range of areas:

• warfare branch – operate and maintain the ship’s weapons, electronic systems and sensors. They also co-ordinate a ship’s communications systems, and undertake a range of other tasks
• engineering branch - undertake the operation, maintenance and refit of the Royal Navy’s ships, submarines and aircraft
• logistics branch - responsible for ensuring the effective operation of a range of office, accounting, stores and catering systems
• medical branch - medical assistants, technicians and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS) staff nurses provide a comprehensive health care service for Royal Navy personnel and their families
• naval air branch - ensures that Navy aircraft are prepared for action. It could also include providing navigation information based on weather and ocean conditions
• submarine service - responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of a submarine’s weapons, electronic systems and sensors.

A list of all the specialisms available to ratings is available on the Royal Navy website (see Further Information).

Hours and Environment

Royal Navy ratings are on call 24 hours a day, and generally work shifts. This can include weekends and public holidays.

Living quarters onboard ships and submarines are cramped. While serving at sea, ratings may be separated from their families for several months at a time.

Skills and Interests

As a Royal Navy rating you should:

• be able to work as part of a team
• have self-discipline and the ability to live in a small enclosed environment
• be able to accept responsibility
• make decisions and react quickly under pressure
• be physically fit
• be able to follow orders
• have practical and technical skills
• have an interest in science and technology
• have good communication skills
• be prepared to work anywhere in the world, possibly in combat situations.

Entry

All candidates must pass a Royal Navy selection test, interview and medical examination.

Some trades may require minimum qualifications. Check with your local armed forces careers office (AFCO).

Entry to the Royal Navy is possible from age 16, except for medical assistants, dental surgery assistants and dental hygienists (17), divers (18), student naval nurses (17 years, 6 months), and direct entry registered general nurses (21).

For all trades, the upper age limit at entry is 36. Very rarely, the upper age limit may be waived for exceptional candidates. Candidates should apply at least six months in advance of the age limit.

The minimum height for all entrants is 151.5 centimetres and weight must be in proportion to height. There are strict eyesight standards and, for some jobs, normal colour vision is essential.

All entrants must meet nationality and residence requirements. AFCOs can provide further information and advice on eligibility.

Training

All new entrants do eight weeks basic training at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall. This includes physical exercises, marching, teamwork, fire fighting, security, weapons handling and general naval training. Specialist training for the recruit’s chosen trade follows. On completion, ratings are posted to a ship or shore base.

Depending on the chosen trade, ratings are given the opportunity to work towards qualifications such as NVQs, City and Guilds certificates, foundation degrees and professional awards.

Most ratings join on an open engagement. This can last for 22 years from age 18, or the date of entry, whichever is later. A minimum term of around three years is required.

Opportunities

The Royal Navy recruits around 4,500 ratings each year. The number recruited into different roles can vary.

Promotion is to able rating on completion of basic training, and then based on merit and experience to leading rating, petty officer, chief petty officer and warrant officer.

Those with the necessary qualifications and potential can apply for a commission as an officer. About one in five of naval officers are former ratings.

With the exception of submarines and clearance diving, all jobs are open to women as well as men.

Free leaflets and advice are available from all local armed forces careers offices (AFCOs). The addresses of these can be found in telephone directories listed under Naval Establishment.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

New entrants earn £11,774 a year.
Able ratings earn between £13,866 and £28,042 a year.
Warrant officers can earn up to £40,456 a year.

Submariners, divers and anyone required to fly, may receive additional pay. Extra allowances are also paid for family separations.

Where accommodation is provided, deductions may be made from the monthly pay.

Further information

Careers Enquiries: 0845 607 5555 Royal Navy and Royal Marines
Palace Barracks
Holywood
Co Down
BT18 9RA
Tel: 028 9042 7040