Royal Marines commando

Career path and progression

With training and experience you could move up through the ranks and get a commission to become an officer.

Throughout your Royal Marines career, you'll have the opportunity to gain qualifications in your chosen field.

You could apply to join the UK Special Forces as a Regular or a Reservist. Get information on how to join UK Special Forces Reserves.

On leaving active service, you could use your skills, qualifications and experience to go into a new career. You can find details about support and opportunities from:

• Quest
• Career Transition Partnership
• Forces Employment Charity
• Get Into Teaching

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• physical fitness and endurance
• persistence and determination
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• concentration skills and quick reactions
• active listening skills and the ability to work in a team
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• thinking and reasoning skills for making quick decisions
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• be a UK, Republic of Ireland or Commonwealth citizen
• have a good level of fitness
• pass a medical check
• pass security checks
• pass enhanced background checks

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Physical Education - Royal Marines commandos need exceptional physical fitness and endurance to complete gruelling commando training and carry out demanding missions in all environments. Understanding how to train effectively, build stamina, prevent injuries, and push physical limits is central to every aspect of this career.
• Geography - Royal Marines commandos operate in diverse environments – from mountains and jungles to coastlines and deserts – and need to navigate terrain, read maps, and understand weather patterns. Knowledge of physical geography, including landforms, climate, and oceanography, directly supports mission planning and survival skills.

Also relevant

• Physics - Royal Marines commandos work with weapons, communications equipment, and vehicles where understanding forces, ballistics, radio waves, and mechanics is useful. This knowledge helps when operating and maintaining equipment in the field, as well as understanding how explosives and projectiles behave.
• Mathematics - Royal Marines commandos use mathematics for navigation, calculating distances, reading grid references, and coordinating artillery or air support. Quick mental arithmetic and spatial reasoning are important when planning operations and making rapid decisions under pressure.
• Politics - Royal Marines commandos are deployed in conflict zones and humanitarian crises around the world, where understanding international relations, geopolitics, and the reasons behind military interventions matters. This awareness helps them understand the broader context of their missions and the communities they operate in.
• English Language - Royal Marines commandos collect, coordinate, and interpret intelligence reports, which requires strong reading comprehension and clear written communication. They also need to deliver precise verbal briefings and follow complex operational orders where misunderstanding could have serious consequences.
• Modern Foreign Languages - Royal Marines commandos are deployed internationally and may need to communicate with local populations, allied forces, or interpret basic information in other languages. Having language skills can be a significant advantage during overseas operations and humanitarian missions.
• Psychology - Royal Marines commandos must remain calm under extreme pressure, manage stress, and work effectively as a team in high-stakes situations. Understanding human behaviour, group dynamics, and mental resilience helps them cope with the emotional demands of combat and support fellow marines.