We use cookies to improve and customise your experience, for analytics and metrics, and to track any purchases you make both on this website and on others. To find out more about the cookies we use see our cookie policy
More info
- Lead teams of commandos in combat situations, at sea and on land
- You'll need resilience, resourcefulness, leadership skills and self-discipline
- You could progress to captain and then on to higher ranks
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
Your day-to-day duties will depend on your role.
Landing craft officer:
- Planning and leading beach assaults
Signals officer:
- Overseeing radio communications
Heavy weapons officer:
- Weapons deployment and tactics
Weapons training officer:
- Advising on the use of small arms and training snipers
Special Boat Service (SBS) officer:
- Carrying out special missions
Mountain leader:
- Leading and instructing commando troops in mountain exercises
Intelligence officer:
- Collecting, coordinating and interpreting intelligence reports
Pilot officer:
- Flying aircraft and helicopters
Physical training and sports officer:
- Developing and supervising training
Staff duty officer:
- Dealing with administration, training, planning and logistics
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You could work on a ship, in a war zone or at a military base, you'll usually work shifts and be on call at all times. During exercises and operations, your hours may be long and irregular. You must be prepared to go wherever you are needed around the world, and you may spend long periods of time away from home. You'll face a wide variety of conditions including extremes in weather and terrain, as well as mental, physical and emotional challenges, often in dangerous situations.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with resilience and resourcefulness, leadership skills, self-discipline, confidence and determination, the ability to think, react and make decisions quickly, a high level of physical fitness and stamina, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
You can apply directly for marines officer training if you are aged between 18 and 25, at least 151.5cm tall (no limit for women), physically fit, and a UK or Commonwealth citizen. You must also pass a medical check, enhanced background checks and security checks.
You'll also usually need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths and 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 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.
CAREER PROSPECTS
After 3 years as a lieutenant, you could progress to captain and then on to higher ranks. You could move into other careers once you leave the marines, depending on the skills, training and qualifications you've developed during your service. The Career Transition Partnership, Quest and Troops to Teachers have more information on careers outside the armed forces.