How to Join the Royal Navy in 2025
The complete guide to unlocking and passing the navy recruitment process.
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HOW TO JOIN THE ROYAL NAVY
With the help of industry experts, we have put together the most comprehensive online resource to passing the Royal Navy selection process available. From initial application to the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA), assessment centre to AFCO interview, we’ve covered every single base in this online resource.
It’s no secret that if you want to become a part of the British Royal Navy then you will need to work hard in order to be successful. So, let’s start off by telling you what the Royal Navy joining process involves and how we can help you!
We have collated a mass of insider information on how to successfully pass the selection process and it is all available on this page.
The Royal Navy Selection Process
The Royal Navy recruitment process will normally consist of the following elements:
Registration & Application
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
AFCO Interview
Medical, Eye & Fitness Assessment
Pre-Recruit Training Centre
Stage 1 – ONLINE REGISTRATION & APPLICATION
The first step on your route to joining the Navy is to register your interest online, or by contacting your local Armed Forces Careers Office. There you will be required to fill out some basic information, learn about life in the Royal Navy and if you wish to proceed you can then submit an online application.
Joining the Royal Navy is a very big decision and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. You will need to consider your choice of career carefully and will be required to complete a short questionnaire that will determine your suitability for joining.
The Royal Navy has many different career options available, ranging from Aircraft Engineering Technicians through to Chefs and Medical Assistants. It is vital that you choose your career carefully and that you have valid reasons for your choice.
Stage 2 – The ROYAL NAVY DEFENCE APTITUDE ASSESSMENT (DAA)
The Royal Navy DAA is a series of psychometric tests that are designed to assess your ability to perform to the demands of the Royal Navy and your chosen career. The tests are a tried and tested method of selection and are extremely accurate in assessing a candidate’s suitability.
The pass mark required for each role will vary depending on the requirements for each job. The test itself will normally be carried out at your local Armed Forces Careers Office and will be under strict timed conditions.
The six different testing areas are as follows:
Verbal Reasoning
Numerical Reasoning
Spatial Reasoning
Mechanical Comprehension
Electrical Comprehension
Work Rate
Stage 3 – THE ARMED FORCES CAREERS OFFICE (AFCO) INTERVIEW
Once you have made contact with the AFCO, completed a questionnaire, watched a presentation and received your recruitment literature, then you will need to attend a virtual interview.
The first interview is designed to assess the reasons why you want to join and to also look at your skills, experiences and qualifications that you possess. The recruitment advisor will then be able to advise you on the type(s) of career that you may be more suited to.
Stage 4 – MEDICAL, EYE & FITNESS TESTS
Once you have passed the selection interview you will be required to pass a medical, an eye test, and the Royal Navy Pre-Joining Fitness test (PJFT). These assessments are put in place to get a snapshot of your general health and your ability to handle the physical demands of life in the Royal Navy.
The PJFT requires you to run 1.5 miles within a specific timeframe, which is usually carried out in a local gym or fitness centre on a treadmill. The test itself is designed to assess your ability to pass the initial Royal Navy recruit course. If you can reach the required standard then there is a good chance that you will pass the fitness tests that form part of initial training.
Stage 5 – Final Stages
The final stages of selection may include further specialist interviews and tests for specific roles within the Royal Navy. Your AFCO advisor will provide you with details of these if they relate to your specific career path. It is at this stage that the Royal Navy will make certain security and reference checks.
When you provide your references at the start of your application, bear in mind the following points:
- One of your references will be either your head teacher or your current/previous employer.
- Whoever else you choose as a reference be sure that they are going to provide you with an honest and suitable reference.
- Ask your nominated references to provide you with a copy of what they have written about you. If you are asked any questions relative to the references provided then you can be prepared with a suitable response.
Once you have completed and successfully passed every stage of the selection process you will then be offered a starting date for your basic training which will take place at HMS Raleigh.
Joining The Navy: Commonly Asked Questions
What qualifications are needed to join the Navy?
If you are joining in a non-officer role, many of the roles do not require any formal qualifications. However, you will be expected to pass a lengthy selection process to gauge your suitability for life in the Royal Navy. There may be some specialist roles that do require certain specific qualifications but you will be informed of this when you apply. The great thing about joining the navy is the potential to learn multiple skills and gain qualifications which you can use in your civilian occupation when you decide to leave the navy
At what age can you join the Navy?
You can apply to join from the age of 16, but if you are under the age of 18 you will need to have consent from your parents or guardians. The upper age limit for joining the navy is 39 years old, although the upper limit will differ depending on your chosen role. If you are under 16, you could consider joining the Sea Cadets, this is a fantastic opportunity to sample life at sea and also gaining an inside look at life in the Royal Navy and whether a career at sea is indeed suitable for you.
What are the requirements to join the Royal Navy?
Other than the age requirements mentioned in the last question, you must be a citizen of the UK or Ireland, a UK national living abroad or a dual Commonwealth/British national. The Royal Navy also accepts applications from members of the Commonwealth if certain conditions are met: The person must be 18 or over; Must hold a valid passport; Have permission to be in the UK for the entire selection process up to the point where service will start.
What is the Royal Navy salary?
As a rating you will start on a salary of £15,671 for your initial training. After 26 weeks you get an increase to £20,00 per annum. It is worth noting that you will receive a number of benefits which include a MOD pension, free healthcare, gym membership and subsidised food and accommodation. Another good benefit, is the Royal Navy will help you to get on the property ladder, if you so wish. If you are joining the navy as a medic or submariner the salary is higher. Please see below all of the standard salaries for Rating roles in the Royal Navy.
- From Day 1 (New Recruit) £15,761
- After 26 weeks £20,000
- Leading Rating £33,038
- Petty Officer £37,870
- Warrant Officer, £51,800
How long does it take to join the Navy?
Although there is no set time for the selection process being completed from start to finish, this could take anything from 6 to 9 months.
The Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
Following the submission of your application form, provided you are successful, you’ll be invited to take part in what is known as the Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA).
The DAA is an examination, which tests you on the following areas:
- Verbal reasoning;
- Numerical reasoning;
- Spatial reasoning;
- Mechanical comprehension;
- Electrical comprehension;
- Work rate.
PASS THE ROYAL NAVY RECRUITMENT PROCESS
We guarantee that our How To Join the Royal Navy online resources will teach you how to navigate the different elements of the selection process. The package contains 300+ pages of recruitment information which will guide you through each of the different elements of selection, including the application form, the RT, the assessment process, the interviews and the fitness test.
Start Preparing Now 👉Sample Royal Navy Interview Question
Once you have successfully passed the Defence Aptitude Assessment you will then be invited to attend the AFCO interview.
During the interview you will be asked questions that relate to why you want to join, what you have to offer, your considerations for joining, what your family think about you joining and also what you already know about the Royal Navy and its operations.
Q. “Why do you want to join the British Royal Navy?”
Sample Response:
“I have been working towards my goal of joining the navy for a number of years now. A couple of years ago a careers advisor visited our school to talk about the Navy. After their presentation I went up to them and asked a few questions about the different career options that were available. Since that day I have set my sights on joining this organisation and I have been working hard to improve myself. To be honest, I want a career that give me direction, professional training and the chance to work with people who set themselves very high standards. I have spoken to a friend who already works in the Navy as a steward and he fully recommends it.
I’ve looked at the different career options outside of the Royal Navy and nothing matches up to the challenge or the sense of pride I would feel by joining a team like this. I play rugby at my school and being part of a winning team is something that I very much enjoy. Even though I am quite capable of working on my own I much prefer to work in a team where everyone is working towards the sames goal.
Finally, even though I have a good stable home life I can’t wait to leave home and see what’s out there. Even though travelling isn’t the be all and end all I am looking forward to visiting different countries and cultures. Many of my friends have never been out of their home town but that’s not for me. I want to broaden my skills and get some decent training in the process and I believe that I would be a great asset to the Royal Navy.”
Pass the Royal Navy Selection Process. First Time.
Crafted for everyone, no matter your skill level or background, this guide was made to help you achieve one goal: become a part of the Royal Navy.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
Scoring Criteria
Essential information about how you will be assessed during every stage of the selection process.
APPLICATION FORM SAMPLE ANSWERS
Lots of up-to-date sample application form questions, responses and tips on how to pass this initial stage.
PRACTICE ONLINE NAVY DAA
Step-by-step information on how to pass the Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Sample answers to each of the interview questions.
INSIDER SECRETS
Insider tips on how to answer the interview questions and advice on how you will be scored.
SCORE-BOOSTING STRATEGIES
Get ahead of the competition with unique and proven strategies 16 years in the making.
Customer Success Stories
Having helped 1,000s of aspiring Royal Navy applicants for over 16 years, it is no wonder our customers love us…
…helped me out so much with all the practice tests and getting me ready for joining the Navy, thank you very very much. – Warren A. TrustPilot
…I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone looking to apply for the Navy. – Paul A. TrustPilot
I bought this book with the dreams of passing my Royal Navy psychometric test and selection interview and that’s exactly what I did. – Ozzy D. TrustPilot
…If you can answer the questions in these guides then there is no doubt that you will pass, I did! – Naomi C. TrustPilot
…my reservations were quickly put to one side as I realised I had made a wise investment in my future career. – Matthew L. TrustPilot
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CAREER PACK?
Complete guidance to ensure you pass the ENTIRE Royal Navy recruitment process
Insider advice on how to complete the application form, including sample questions and answers
Previously successful application form responses that you can use to develop your own winning application
Revealed – avoid the common pitfalls that the majority of applicants make
Discover exactly how you are assessed throughout the entire selection process (hint: understanding this will allow you to know exactly how the assessors want you to act at every stage)
A complete breakdown of the Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and how you MUST prepare if you wish to succeed
Sample Royal Navy interview questions and guidance on how to answer each one of them for the interview
Practice questions and answers for the DAA. Practice the same skills you’ll be tested on so you enter your test fully prepared
The importance of ensuring you meet the minimum eligibility requirements (and understanding life in the Royal Navy)
Time-saving strategies and score-boosting methods verified by our panel of Armed Forces recruitment experts
How to get fit and be able to pass the fitness test and medical test
PLUS…BONUSES!
BONUS #1
150-Page Interview Skills Insider’s Guide
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Important: This insider’s guide cannot be purchased individually anywhere else and is exclusively available as a limited-time bonus!
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BONUS #2
How to Get Royal Navy Fit: Insider’s Guide
A concise online guide to show you how you can get “Royal Navy fit” and see results quickly to ensure you pass the fitness test – even without a gym membership!
- Crafted with the fitness benchmark levels required of a Royal Navy recruit in mind, this guide provides an insider insight to Royal Navy fitness regimes you can follow.
- Your very own “Royal Navy fit” workout regime created by former emergency service staff.
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Important: This insider’s guide cannot be purchased individually anywhere else and is available exclusively as a bonus with this resource.
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BONUS #3
PLUS…30-Day Free Subscription Trial To The Online Royal Navy Testing Platform!
As well as life-time access to the Royal Navy career resource, this product also includes a 30-day free trial to Online Royal Navy Testing Platform (usually £9.99 + vat per month).
- 100s of DAA questions on each element of the test to help boost your scores!
- Practice all of the Royal Navy DAA questions under timed conditions using our online testing suite.
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Important: This powerful free trial costs £9.99 + vat every month for everyone else! You will get unrestricted access to all of the quick-win strategies to give you the advantage right away.
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*We want you to know: This is a subscription service that is charged at just £5.95 + vat per month after the 30-day trial expires. No minimum term. If you cancel before the 30-day trial ends, you will not be charged. Please see our terms for full details.
THE TOPICS COVERED IN THIS GUIDE INCLUDE:
HOW TO PASS THE ROYAL NAVY JOINING PROCESS
- How to pass the Royal Navy selection process at the first attempt with high scores;
- The top 10 insider tips and advice brought to you by RN recruitment staff;
- Contacting the Royal Navy Careers Office and creating the right impression;
- Selecting the right references;
- How to pass the Royal Navy pre-joining fitness test;
- How to create the right image;
- Choosing the right career for you;
- Completing the Royal Navy application form correctly.
HOW TO PASS THE DEFENCE APTITUDE ASSESSMENT
- Verbal reasoning test questions, with answers and explanations;
- Numerical test questions that are very similar to the actual tests;
- Spatial reasoning test examples for you to try out;
- Mechanical comprehension tests that are like the DAA recruiting test;
- Electrical comprehension tests to check you have the right knowledge to pass;
- Work rate tests to practice getting top marks.
HOW TO PASS THE INTERVIEW
- How to prepare yourself for the Royal Navy interview;
- Sample interview questions and how to answer them;
- How you will be scored during the interview;
- Top tips for passing the Royal Navy interview.
Features
You don’t just get advice on what to do. We will show you exactly how to pass the Royal Navy recruitment process.
Proven Guidance
Over 16 years’ of experience packed into on-demand insider recruitment guides that have helped 1,000s.
Unique Training
Includes unique Royal Navy recruitment training content built from the ground up and not found anywhere else.
Actionable Content
We don’t just share what you need to do, but also how you should do it with tips and strategies you can implement today!
Swipeable Templates
These templates are worth the value of the resource themselves – we give you the exact foundations you can use to build your application and master assessment stages!
Your 300-Page Guide To Success.
Our best-selling Royal Navy guide in a compact, accessible, online format to hold your hand throughout the entire selection process.
Created By Experts. Made For You.
With over 16 years’ of history behind us, we are the leaders in Royal Navy recruitment advice. So whether you want to understand the scoring criteria, learn what must go on your application form, recognise what not to say at the interview, or practice and pass the Royal Navy DAA, you can access it all at your finger tips, today.
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YOU SAVE 14%
✓ 300-page Royal Navy Careers Online Guide (Lifetime access)
✓ 44-minute Royal Navy Interview Coaching Video (Lifetime access)
140-page Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
✓ Plus exclusive Bonuses – including the latest insider recruitment information added regularly! (Lifetime access)
✓ 150-Page Interview Skills Online Guide (Lifetime Access)
✓ How to Get Royal Navy Fit Insider's Online Guide (Lifetime Access)
✓ 30-Day Free Trial to the Online Royal Navy Testing Platform. Thereafter just £5.95 plus VAT per month (Monthly Service)?
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GOLD (BEST VALUE)
ROYAL NAVY GOLD PACK
INSTANT ONLINE ACCESS
BEST VALUE – YOU SAVE 33%
✓ 300-page Royal Navy Careers Online Guide (Lifetime access)
✓ 44-minute Royal Navy Interview Coaching Video (Lifetime access)
✓ 140-page Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment Online Workbook (Lifetime access)
✓ Plus exclusive Bonuses – including the latest insider recruitment information added regularly! (Lifetime access)
✓ 150-Page Interview Skills Online Guide (Lifetime Access)
✓ How to Get Royal Navy Fit Insider's Online Guide (Lifetime Access)
✓ 30-Day Free Trial to the Online Royal Navy Testing Platform. Thereafter just £5.95 plus VAT per month (Monthly Service)?
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How will the 'How to Join the Royal Navy' resources help me?
Simply put, this training works and is proven to help people like you. As a lifetime access Royal Navy guide member, you will not only benefit from our flagship 300-page Royal Navy career guide (which has sold 1,000s of copies) but you’ll also get access to a dynamic portal of content that we update frequently with all the very latest information, practice material, and strategies that are helping people all across the UK join the Royal Navy. With 1,000s of customers frequently thanking us for the career success we have helped them gain, and 16 years’ experience in providing recruitment and assessment centre training, you can rest assured knowing you are getting the best training material on the market.
Who is a good fit for the Royal Navy careers guide and resources?
This career guide us designed to help anyone looking to join the British Royal Navy and conquer the gruelling selection process.
It is ideal for those just staring out at the application stage, who want an “over-the-shoulder” guide to passing each stage of the process.
If you have already begun the selection process, then you’ll be able to pick up this guide from the exact stage you are at and follow the step-by-step guidance to passing the DAA, the AFCO interview, the fitness tests and more with confidence.
Whatever stage of the process you are at, you can be confident you’ll have all the strategies and tools you need to succeed.
What training is included in these resources? Will it really help me pass the selection process?
Yes! With the Royal Navy careers guide you will be able to access training that has been helping applicants successfully become part of the Royal Navy for over a decade.
At How2Become.com we like to do things a little differently. Instead of just giving you access to guides which explain how the selection process works, and what you need to do to pass, we teach you HOW to do it also. For example, we don’t just provide you with sample interview questions, we provide winning sample responses and step-by-step guidance on how to create your own successful answers. Whether you are thinking about applying, or you are half way through the Royal Navy selection process, this guide will ‘hold your hand’ step-by-step. Here is a full list of everything you will get within this resource.
Is there a time limit on accessing the material?
You will get unlimited access to all of the content contained within these resources with no time restrictions! We understand that joining the navy can be a long and stressful experience, that is why we want to take away that worry – you will get access whenever you need, whether it’s just for a week, or for a year, you will have full access to the Royal Navy careers resource whenever you need it. You will also have access to all future updates we make to this guide, ensuring you are getting the latest guidance.
Are your resources specific for geographical regions?
When we launched How2Become.com we wanted to ensure our content would help as many people as possible no matter where they are, and we are achieving just that! We sell our resources to every country in the world, with 1,000s of customers in the USA, UK, India, Australia, Africa and more! All of our content is either written or spoken in English, with the content designed to be as universal as possible unless otherwise stated. Our Royal Navy careers guide is designed specifically for the British Armed Forces selection process.
What's the difference between the Silver and Gold versions?
Whichever option you choose, you can be confident you are getting the latest and highest quality training to help you pass the Royal Navy selection process. All packages contain our flagship 300-page Royal Navy Recruitment guide, and the bonuses listed on this page. The Silver package contains our Royal Navy career guide, plus video coaching for the interview.
The Gold package contains everything in Silver, but also includes our best-selling Royal Navy Defence Aptitude Assessment online workbook. This pack is our most comprehensive resource to help you join the Royal Navy and covers the entire selection process from start to finish, whilst offering the best value.
How will I access the guide/training materials?
As soon as your order is complete you will be able to access all of the guides and training resources via your How2Become account! You can use any smart phone, PC, Mac, or tablet with an internet connection to access your materials, whenever you want.
Is your training really driving success?
Yes, absolutely! We get 100s of testimonials and comments each month from those that have used our training, thanking us for the help it has given them.
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Firstly, these guides are created by us and our team of experts – we have all the answers to your questions and will help you succeed (like we’ve been doing for the last 16 years), we update our material frequently and you can contact us at any time with any questions you have.
Secondly, we provide exclusive bonuses with all our products that you won’t find anywhere else. These bonuses include free guides, powerful online testing suites and more!
Finally, our guides and training just work. Take a look at our TrustPilot page where you will see our rating of 4.9/5. There, our customers share their positive buying experiences and more importantly the time-saving success our resources have given them (hint: they are now serving with the Royal Navy).
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