Keep Army vessels sound and seaworthy
“The variety in my job is what keeps me interested. The Army isn’t just about work though; competing in Triathlons keeps me fit."
The Army uses landing craft and other vessels to ferry soldiers, vehicles and supplies ashore. You are an important part of the crew, are responsible for maintaining and repairing the craft and it's engines to ensure they stay serviceable. You will work on everything from small outboard motors to powerful marine diesel engines and a wide range of different operating systems, from electrical and hydraulic to transmissions and refrigeration - you‘re trained to fix them all. You work with the Army, Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and civilian maritime providers and could work in support of Commando and Special Forces.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Becoming a Marine Engineer is academically challenging. You will be expected to think on your feet and solve problems on a daily basis.
- You will be naturally independent as an engineer, self motivating and work well under pressure, often in support of Commandos and Special Forces.
- Day to day you will maintain the Army's fleet of vessels based out of Marchwood (Southampton).
- You will form part of a vessel’s crew and be part of the fire-fighting team.
- You will gain numerous civilian engineering qualifications.
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which will teach you how to be a soldier - this will cover everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years 5 months), you’ll do a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate. If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years 1 month), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.
Step 2
Then it’s a 21-week Marine Engineering course at MOD Lyneham. Further modules in Seamanship and Stevedore teach you the specialist skills you need to keep all Army vessels ready for action. You’ll get your driving licence too, if you don’t have it already.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 16 years 6 months - 35 years 6 months
QUALIFICATIONS: GCSE Grade A–C/9-4 in at least English Language, Maths and one other subject
FITNESS: Lift 40kg, Carry 30m, 1.5 mile run in 14 min (14 min 30 sec for junior entry)
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Level 2 Certificate Logistics & Transport
- Affiliate Membership of CILT
- NVQ Level 2 Apprenticeship Engineering Maintenance and Installation
- IMechE Eng Technician
- C&G Refrigeration reclamation
- CMI Level 3 1st Line Management
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit as a Private your pay will rise to £18,859.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“Not a single day is the same. One day I will be sat in my office managing our fleet of vessels, the next day I could be diving, searching for bodies or discarded weapons, anywhere in the world. The variety in my job is what keeps me interested. The Army isn’t just about work either; competing for the Army in Triathlon keeps me fit and enables me to really ‘be the best’."
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
Step 1
You start by learning to be a soldier with basic training.
Step 2
Then you do a Marine Engineering course. This happens at the Defence School of Marine Engineering at MOD Lyneham. The course lasts 2 weeks and you carry out marine engineering as a Mexeflote 2nd Engineer. It’s followed by two more modules over five days, which cover Seamanship, among other skills. We do our best to make sure that Army Reserve training fits in with your day job.:
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 17 years 9 months - 49 years 11 months
QUALIFICATIONS: Formal civilian or military engineering qualification
FITNESS: Lift 40kg, Carry 30m, 1.5 mile run in 14 min
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Car licence (Cat B)
- HGV Licence (Cat C+E)
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit as a Private your pay will rise to £18,859.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“As a Marine Engineer in the Army Reserve, I have worked very closely with my Regular colleagues. The experience you can gain from working with people who do the job every day is invaluable. I have to think on my feet so any tips I can pick up will always come in handy. Whether I’m working at home or abroad, I always feel part of a team. It’s very different from my day job. This is what keeps me coming back.” – LCpl Tubb
HOW TO APPLY?
Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre,you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.