marine engineer

engineer

aeronautical engineer

petty officer

lead technician

Royal Navy

Other than the deeply entrenched class system (not the rank system, i understand that part) where a junior rate can't possibly want, or even have the intelligence to want to better themselves and are constantly berated by those senior to them if they show a glimmer of interest in education or hobbies that are seen as "middle" or "upper" class. One point to illustrate this further is that when provided with newspapers the junior rates were given The Sun and The Daily Sport, the senior rates were given the times and the mirror, and the officers asked for the financial times, the independent and the telegraph... Or the fact that officers are too posh to wash and iron their own clothes or clean their own cabin so they employ servants (also known as stewards because servant sounds too real) to do all these things for them, including plating up their food for them.
 Hazing or initiations still happening is a sad truth, some argue that it brings a team together stronger because they all share a common thing, as if doing the same basic training and share the same vocation isnt enough. The medical side of things, although is free, is very poor - especially when it comes to mental health, the term "man-up" is used daily, i get the navy is a war fighting military force, but looking after the people in that force should be paramount, especially in peace time. I think the way that personnel are managed by a spreadsheet "bums on seats" fashion is easier for management - getting numbers in blank cells on their screen, but lacks the duty of care and personal approach. 
When something that is outdated and inefficient, the older, bolder members of this fine institution would defend its existence to within an inch of their lives, because thats the way they did it back in their day and they wont have it any other way. Fear of change and being aggressive to new ideas is toxic and breeds a toxic culture, and can spread fast. I've seen senior rates slow down and sabotage an idea that would save hours of cleaning because they dont want change, and its horrible to see. Maybe when the next generation passes through, theyll change things, although the new generation has their faults, theyre very keen to change deep rooted ideas that have no place.

If you join before your 20 to a branch that has outside prospects (I was an AET) and are single (important!) its a great few years before moving onto bigger and better opportunities outside. Even in the brief 6 years I stayed in you learn quickly that you are simply a number. The outdated officer system is so bloated and unnecessary you could replace most with automated email clients and not notice, for proof see every Christmas since the WW2. The senior rates are better but most seem under the illusion anyone who doesn't promote quickly is doing it wrong, because that's what they did, the seemingly mandatory ex wives required to reach the rank of CPO can attest to how well the job treats those committed. Upon leaving I immediately walked into a job paying the equivalent of 2 promotions and I didn't even have to "play the game" for 8-13 more years like I would have had to in the mob. Yes the travel is nice but a 6 month trip to the states had less shore time than a 2 week trip to mexico so id say its not worth it, just go to nice places for your holidays and you can pretend your on guard duty if that's what really excites you. No rank or position in the military (except god botherer) pays even close to its real world equivalent with a similar level of risk, distance or inconveince. Even the much touted qualifications you can get are often as useful as Legoland drivers licenses in the real world.
Yes, I enjoyed my time in, met some great people and did interesting things. Go in with your eyes open and remember not to take any of it seriously you'll do fine. Everyone without a ring on their shoulder was a human once so treat them as such. Call officers 'sir or 'maam' but always pronounce it the same way you would the word 'tapeworm'. Don't take excess amounts of what ryhmess with 'hit', if the ship isnt cleaned every day it WILL SINK. Remember the worst they can do is send you to the only jail in the world where they put you on shooting courses and even without that it's not going on your record so don't worry about it. Don't drop your mates in it and it's always the other watches fault, you'll always have more duties than anyone else just like everyone else in the mess.
I wouldn't do any of it again even if the queen asked nicely over dinner, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Excellent travel opportunities, and the opportunity to be involved in some genuinely exciting stuff, if you're lucky.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The management are, in general, very poor. There remains a culture of laddish, macho and insecure leadership where leadership of all ranks are very resistant to advice or any suggestion they might be wrong, and liable to react angrily. More collaborative, less posturing leadership styles are discouraged or quickly frozen out. Such a working environment can quickly become stressful and draining and results in management who are very poor at 'people management', empathy, or basic social awareness. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Unpleasant. A slim but significant majority of officers prioritise their own advancement over everything. This results in a focus on 'hard' results and performance in assessments rather than the 'soft' but more important elements of people management, pastoral care and coaching and mentoring more junior personnel. As such, a cavalier attitude to personnel issues quickly turns into grudges and disillusionment, and a toxic working environment. (Note that this varies depending on branches, the warfare branch being particularly bad, and logistics and engineering branches being far better)

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
As a warfare officer, you are on watch on the bridge for the bulk of your working day. The exact watch pattern and therefore proportion of time spend on watch varies between platforms and available personnel, but you can expect to spend at least 8 hours a day on watch. You will usually maintain the same watch routine throughout a deployment to allow you to get into a decent sleeping pattern, but will inevitably end up doing a lot of early starts or late nights as when off watch, you have other duties as well. Divisional responsibilities (pastoral care and people management) are the most important, though often overlooked, part of this. Depending on operations you may also be called upon to assist with exercises or special routines throughout the day, even when off watch.

If you have no other option then it can be worthwhile. However, overall it's not a viable career. If you do join, have an exit plan from day one and don't get trapped into the lifestyle. 
The work/life balance is horrendous; you'll be totally unable to plan any aspect of your life - neither in the short, medium, or long term. You won't know what you're doing from one day, week, or month to the next. The job itself is extremely monotonous: primarily, you'll do basic general tasks, and any interesting work is almost invariable carried out by contractors. Even when you're not at sea, you'll spend prolonged periods of time living in cramped quarters with your coworkers. Wherever you're currently working, ask yourself if you'd like to also share a room with several coworkers and have no privacy whatsoever. If that lifestyle sounds appealing, then join the navy. For most, it seems to have a detrimental effect on mental health. 

Management is poor and manpower is stretched. I could count on one hand the amount of decent superiors I had. At the very top of the chain, they may (may) have an interest in improving H.R. and retention issues - at unit level, it'll be irrelevant to your superiors. The attitude will be "if you don't like it, put your chit in." They lack both the resources and the will to improve anything. You will have no autonomy and be treated and spoken to like a child. If you want to be an adult who's spoken to like a child, has to share a bedroom, and has no autonomy over their own life, then join the navy. 

Many will join for the professional training, but that's dragged out over many years of promotion courses. If you can, get the qualifications in the civilian world. You'll do so far faster - instead of doing say 10 years worth of courses in the navy for qualifications that you could gain in 3 in the civilian world - and they'll be more applicable to civilian employers. If RN qualifications lead easily and directly to civilian roles, then everyone would leave immediately. 

Toxic work environment and lifestyle, which drags everyone down. I had to get out because I felt that I was wasting my life every day that I was in. 







What the RN does is vitally important. Unfortunately, the way it goes about its business is archaic and anachronistic, which says much about its Senior Leadership. Intellectually dormant, arcane, and byzantine in its working practices, the RN promotes those who integrate; it rewards 'yes-men' (very few women make it into the top echelons) and demands unthinking loyalty to individual characters, rather than the higher-domain loyalty to the State.It is an organisation struggling to articulate its purpose, and align the ways and means of achieving it. There is a reason it is hemorrhaging people, particularly at the 4-8yr mark. 

At sea, you will be continuously pressured to do more with less, but this is often the easier postings; you get up, do your job, and there are no other distractions. If you are in a shore posting (so-called harmony time), you will work ever longer hours whilst juggling family life prior to another round of deployments; time at home is often more stressful than time away. Just look at the divorce rates!

If you are a singly and alongside, expect to leave work at 1430 on a Fri, drive home for late Fri night, and be back at work first think Mon Morning; meaning, if you come from the North East, a grand total of 36hrs for a weekend at home with partner. Unless you get married and move to Portsmouth, which is the centre of naval activity.

Messing ashore has gone downhill too; think school canteen without the care and attention. This is because those at the top thought it was unfair to pay mess dues monthly irrespective of whether you messed or not, and introduced "Pay as You Dine"; aka "Save as You Starve". Scran at sea is wholesome and pretty decent, so long as you don't have any tastebuds; otherwise, you will be perpetually disappointed as everything goes through the "blander" at least twice.

On the plus side, you join and learn a trade and a decent wage packet, and the perks (free dental, good quality gymns etc) do add up. But these are hygiene factors. Are they enough to motivate people to go to work? No.

Until the RN starts putting its people first, instead of its equipment, it will continue on its current downward trajectory.

The Royal Marines embody a culture of discipline, resilience, and excellence. A typical day for a Royal Marine is both demanding and structured, beginning with physical fitness routines and advancing into specialized training sessions. These can range from tactical exercises and weapons training to survival skills and navigation. The experience is designed to maintain peak physical and mental readiness.

What one learns in the Royal Marines goes beyond just military skills. It includes invaluable life lessons in resilience, adaptability, leadership, and teamwork. Marines are trained to operate effectively under pressure, make rapid decisions in challenging environments, and collaborate seamlessly within a team.

Management in the Royal Marines is characterized by leading by example. Officers and senior members are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and fitness, mirroring the expectations set for their teams. There's a strong focus on mentorship, with an emphasis on nurturing the skills and development of junior members.

The workplace culture within the Royal Marines is unique. It's built on mutual respect, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to excellence. The environment is challenging yet supportive, pushing individuals to their limits while providing the support needed to overcome obstacles.

The hardest part of the job can be the intense physical demands and the mental stress of operating in high-risk, high-stakes situations. It requires a level of physical fitness and mental toughness that is constantly tested.

Conversely, the most enjoyable part of the job often lies in the same challenges. There's a profound sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from mastering difficult tasks and being part of an elite team. The camaraderie and bonds formed within the Royal Marines are also often highlighted as one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

Having served a full 22 year career after joining at 16 from school with a handful of average GCSE results I've gone on to earn over £40k and have travelled to a plethora of foreign countries. Excellent camaraderie, you'll make friends for life. Line management has definitely improved as society has changed and the RN has caught up but senior management are still very much the 'old guard'. Very secure job with excellent prospects for promotion if you want it. If you choose to live away from a base port area (Plymouth, Portsmouth etc) don't expect a good work/life balance but that is a lifestyle choice of course, although you do tend to finish at 12 on a Friday at most places when not deployed. Deployments can last for 9-10 months but you will travel to some amazing, and some not-so-amazing but still interesting, destinations. You get a fair bit of time off when you are deployed, wherever possible. Food and accommodation is subsidised at bases and free on ships and submarines. You also get extra money when you are away which increases the longer you've been away (you accumulate days which are linked to a daily rate. Once accumulated you keep the days so the daily 'bonus' will only ever increase). Free medical and dental care. Extra money every month to help pay for regular travel home. Generous Help to Buy scheme. Non-contributory pension scheme (it costs you nothing). Generally pretty good training and development. Money to use for vocational qualifications every year. Free Adventurous Training (you can go skiing in Germany for a week or learn to fly gliders in Portsmouth, for example). Free uniform which you can exchange (for free) when required. Opportunities to re-trade. If I could, I'd do it again.

A typical day at work would unfold in a different number of ways. At sea I would have to be reactive to solve issues dealing with the people in my department whether that be illness, compassionate reasons or disciplinary situations.I would initially be sorting these issues out then have to go to the Operations Room for exercises, then go and assist on the bridge of the ship to conduct Ceremonial for other ships, then go and speak on behalf of the Department at the weekly meeting, then go and book courses for my department to ensure they would be fully qualified for their roles on board ship. On land things would tend to be less fluid especially in the teaching environment but still subject to short term change.
This taught me to never rest on my laurels and to expect the unexpected and being in mamangement also taught me that the most reliable/unreliable commodity is people. I never assumed something had been done I always asked or checked, without feeling the need to micro manage my people.
I always worked well with my peers always seeking out the best solution for a particular problem.
The hardest part of the job was having to deal with redundancies and trying to comfort those who had lost their jobs.
The most enjoyable part of the job was the places I went to see but also the strong sense of teamwork amongst those I worked with. Meeting people from different parts of the country who were all working towards a common goal engendered a great team spirit.

I left after only serving a few months during phase 2 training after realising I had more to live for than potentially getting paid incredibly well for spending months away at sea and so I never even got that far. That said, if you’re cut out for it the Royal Navy can be a very rewarding and well paid career, particularly in the submarine service and within engineering roles. It comes with the sacrifice of spending years away from home and living on base. If you live up North weekend leave is out of the question and schedules for ships and submarines are only getting more and more unpredictable meaning it’s difficult to plan your life. Most people are sticking to do their 4 years required service then abandoning ship with all their money and qualifications. 

Whilst I’d recommend it to younger people in their late teens and early 20s (I’m 21), if you don’t like living a life away from home, have a family/partner, realise there’s more to life than money and you’re idea of fun is something other than drinking yourself into a coma every night - look elsewhere. The Navy also has a toxic attitude that permeates though the ranks and rates (although I was lucky that no one tried to talk me out of leaving) that you’re a quitter if you leave and you’ll only be miserable and never find a good career in the civilian world. That’s utter rubbish. 

I worked for the Royal Navy and had a very mixed experience. While there are opportunities to develop skills and discipline, there are also some serious issues that potential recruits should be aware of.

From my perspective, if you have ADHD or similar traits, the organisation doesn’t always seem well-equipped to recognise or support it. Behaviours can be misunderstood rather than managed constructively, which can lead to unfair perceptions about your performance or attitude.

I also found that treatment can vary significantly depending on your chain of command. If you have a supportive boss, your experience may be positive, but if not, it can feel inconsistent and, at times, unfair.

Another concern is the financial structure around leaving. In some cases, individuals may find themselves in a position where they’ve committed financially (for example, tied to bonuses) and then face a significant cost to exit, which can be stressful and limiting.

Mental health support, in my experience, was not always as accessible or proactive as it could be, especially given the demands of the role.

The main advantage, in my view, was the salary when joining at a younger age, it can feel like good money early on. However, by the time you reach your mid-20s, many civilian roles can offer significantly higher pay and more flexibility straight away.

Overall, while the Navy can be a good fit for some, others may find that pursuing an apprenticeship or civilian career offers more flexibility, support, and control over their path.

After leaving, I’ve been in the process of seeking assessment and support for possible PTSD, which I feel highlights the importance of stronger mental health support systems during service.


Top Job Titles	Average salary
Marine engineer 19 salaries reported	£38,550 per year
Engineer 30 salaries reported	£46,027 per year
Aeronautical engineer 4 salaries reported	£35,424 per year
Petty officer 7 salaries reported	£52,286 per year
Lead technician 4 salaries reported	£43,125 per year

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