Marine Engineer - Reserve

Royal Logistic Corps

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • engineering
  • logistics

Could you keep ships, boats and other vessels in good working order? We’ll give you all the training you need, plus an amazing Army experience.

Marine Engineer

We are responsible for operating, maintaining and repairing the Army's fleet of sea-going vessels which are used to move soldiers, vehicles and supplies worldwide.

As a Marine Engineer, you are an important part of the vessel’s crew and will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the craft and its engines. You will be expected to think on your feet and solve problems on a daily basis, you need to be naturally independent, self-motivating and work well under pressure - if a vessel breaks down at sea all eyes quickly focus on the Marine Engineer! You will routinely work alongside the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and in support of the Royal Marines, leading on tasks such as hurricane and disaster relief.

Aside from engineering, there are also opportunities to get involved in the huge array of Army sports as well as all forms of Adventurous Training. 

The Royal Logistic Corps are the Army’s professional logisticians keeping the Field Army marching, its helicopters flying, its vehicles moving and its tanks and guns firing. We enable its deployment and supply it with everything it needs, wherever it operates, throughout the world.

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Key Responsibilities

  • Operate, maintain and repair the Army’s fleet of vessels and be responsible for all electrical, hydraulic and mechanical systems onboard.

  • Based at the home of Army Maritime in Marchwood, Southampton.

  • You could be deployed worldwide– wherever the British Army has a presence.

  • Achieve NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance.

  • Earn your category B Driving License

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marine engineer

Reserve (part time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 17 years & 9 months to 42 years & 6 months

  • Qualifications:

    Formal civilian or military engineering qualification

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 6.6

    Army Reserve standards

    • Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm

    • MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
You start Basic Training, this consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.

  • Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre OR a nine-day residential course.

  • Module 2: Battlecamp. 15-day residential course at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.

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.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Cat C+E HGV driving licence

  • Cat B car licence

Pay & benefits

You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and once you're a Private and increase as you rise through the ranks. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training, you're entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.

More about Reserve benefits

How to Apply

When you decide to apply, your local unit will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.

To join, you have to apply online. The application process will take some time, but you can also ring the unit you're interested in joining - the team there will help often invite you to join them for drill nights, and you'll get support for your application.

More about the joining process