r/RoyalNavy

Hi everyone,

We have recently seen some interest in external Discord servers and social media groups focused on candidate preparation (CBAT, DAA, OASC, etc.). While we appreciate that the recruitment process is demanding and that peer support is invaluable, I want to take a moment to address some serious security concerns regarding these platforms.

Why we are restricting the promotion of unvetted external groups:

OPSEC and Data Aggregation: Many of these platforms are completely unvetted. While a post sharing your own CPC date might seem harmless in isolation, aggregating that information across a community of 800+ people creates a clear, mapped picture of candidate flow, training throughput, and recruitment timelines. This is valuable information that should not be centralized in unverified spaces.

Lack of Identity Verification: External servers do not have the mechanisms to verify the identity of their members. This makes it incredibly easy for unauthorized actors to lurk, gather intelligence, or attempt to socially engineer information from genuine candidates.

Protection of Your Personal Data: Sharing specific dates (CPCs, interview boards, start dates) on open or unvetted platforms bypasses the protection of official, secure recruitment channels. Please remain vigilant about what you share and where you share it.

Going Forward:

To maintain the security of our community and the safety of our applicants, we will be limiting the promotion of unvetted external recruitment groups on this subreddit.

Please continue to use official Defence Recruitment channels, your AFCO, or the official candidate portals for any information regarding your specific application or training pipeline. If you have questions about test dynamics, feel free to ask them here—but please do so without sharing personal identifying information, specific dates, or private correspondence.

Stay safe, maintain your PERSEC, and good luck with your applications.

I'd like to ask what's the vaccination process like at HMS Raleigh Phase 1. Thanks.

I've recently completed my first year of college in engineering and manufacturing, and I'm looking into what to do after college. I'm particularly interested in the accelerated apprentice schemes that the Royal Navy offers.

Just curious if anyone here has worked in one of these roles (or any other apprentice roles), what kind of work you were doing, and how you find it overall?

I've seen the direct entry fast track technician where I need GCSE's passes and above in core subjects as well as DAA test result. What is the difference in phase 2 training to AA's. Thanks

Hello lads and lasses, got Raleigh coming up late September and was wondering how some of you prepared physically. I'm doing 40+ press ups 50+ sit-ups and can crank out about 10 pull ups but my best 2.4 is 10:50 and was wondering how I can further improve on what I'm doing, I currently go gym 3 days a week and run 4 with swimming mixed in, thanks in advance folks.

Hi all,
I’m 23 and looking for a career change at the moment I’m a qualified spray painter, but I’ve always been interested in joining the military. After doing some research, I’m thinking the Royal Navy could be the best option for me, especially career wise and for opportunities after leaving I’m particularly interested in joining as a Marine Engineer I was wondering if anyone here has done Marine Engineering in the Royal Navy and then moved into the Merchant Navy or another engineering job afterwards how useful are the qualifications and experience you get in the Navy when looking for civilian work Is it fairly easy to find a decent job after leaving, or do you need additional qualifications/retraining? Would be interested to hear from anyone who’s taken a similar route and whether you’d recommend it.
Thanks!

Tried joining the Army as an Electronics Technician but wasn’t allowed due to CP4 just wondering if the Navy has any engineering roles that allow CP4 as I’ve heard they allow you to do a trade wire test, which I think I’d pass as I’ve done electrical courses and I’m currently a Maintenance Engineer

Has anyone heard about FSB results thus far? assume it will be towards the end of the week.

Been looking into the CBAT setup and noticed it now groups Pilot, Observer, and ATC into one aptitude testing stream. Can anyone confirm if they're all sitting the exact same battery of tests, or if there's still some differentiation in subtests depending on which branch you're going for?

Also wondering about Warfare rating(Aviation) — is that grouped in with the above, or is it tested separately as its own test? Trying to get my head around how the branches map onto the test structure. i wanna be a Aircrewman or a Observor

Has anyone sat the CBAT recently (2025/2026)? If you've got a score sheet or breakdown you wouldn't mind sharing, I'd really appreciate it — trying to understand what a competitive score profile looks like across the sub-tests before I sit mine.

Cheers in advance.

Got my start date for Raleigh. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what they do medical wise besides vaccinations?

I have my “Enhanced RN CPC” in the near future but likely after October when they scrap the run and replace it with the bleep/ball/mid thigh pull. I called the recruitment office and he said there will also be a swim test as part of the CPC. I don’t think he’s right about this as I haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere.

I’m applying for the medical officer cadetship as a medical student and it’s not easy finding relevant information for my situation. Obviously since I’m just a scholarship applicant, I won’t head to Raleigh/BRNC for several years so I’d be surprised if I have to do exactly the same stuff as other officer candidates.

For anyone who’s done the Enhanced CPC, is it still just MEDFIT? I’m so lost. If anyone could give me a day-by-day (or close enough) summary I would be very grateful.

Hi guys, I’ve done the impossible I’ve found a sport not represented in the Royal Navy. What are the beginning steps to getting the sport pusser recognised?

Thinking of joining the Royal Navy? Already applied? Not sure what to expect?

This is your weekly thread to ask anything about:

• The application process
• Aptitude testing (minus DAA results!)
• Interviews and medicals
• Initial training (Raleigh, BRNC)

Serving members are encouraged to pop in and offer insight too.

Remember, there's no such thing as a stupid question — if you’re thinking it, someone else is too.

Realistically is 35 too old to apply to join the navy as an officer?

I'm doing a one up job to get recommended for promotion on my SJAR but because I'm an introvert I'm struggling to delegate and would rather just come in earlier and just do it myself. Plus because I've got the job not the authority so delegating to peers just a bugger.

Current LH recently graduated as a Naval Nurse and I have been presented with the opportunity to sit the board and commission. I know I’ll skip the first ten weeks at Raleigh as I’ve been there and done that, but does anyone have any information on the structure and sort of stuff you do at BRNC and if it is much different than at Raleigh? Not sure if I want to go back into training so trying to gauge what it will be like. Thank you.

Does anyone have any experience of phase one instructing/knowledge of how to get into this and what it is like? Asking out of curiosity. TIA.

How hard is the chat for aircrewman

Can Observers have Hayfever if it's controlled by non-drowsy otc medication? I have already been cleared MFD, however haven't done the separate aircrew medical yet. It's seasonal and non-anaphylactic, and with the tablets doesn't hinder my day to day. I can't find the medical requirements for aircrew as they aren't in the JSP950

Edit: yes, I have asked my CA. Said he is unable to comment on medical requirements as he is not qualified.