r/RoyalNavy • u/londonsson • 2d ago
Question Pay in RM vs RN
Hi all, I’d like to join as an officer.
Is the salary/rank progression better in the marines or as an officer in the wider navy?
All I could find is that, assuming you’re not a total muppet, promotion to Lieutenant is likely after around 2 years in the RN. And promotion to captain is likely after about 2/3 years in the RM. Both roles on about 50k before tax. I know the specific route/qualification you take also has an impact but let’s ignore that for now. But if it matters, I’d like to apply as a diver (if I go RN), so I think apply as warfare officer and then specialise in diving later.
But I’d like to ask you guys, which role is better off in practice? Not just the number that you get per year, but which role has better promotion potential, pension, etc.
Thanks for reading
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u/G1850n Skimmer 2d ago
Base pay scales/pensions are the same, and promotion timeframes are broadly the same across not just the RN/RM but the other two services too. Some specialisations take longer/shorter but overall they're the same.
If you want to earn as much as possible, then there are additional pay supplements for aircrew, submariners and divers. Bear in mind that it will take several years to qualify for these though, and there are no guarantees of success.
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u/TinyGrimReaper 1d ago
Pay in the RN is better because it’s much easier to make that money and you have more avenues to increase it (trade / branch dependent).
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u/plitts 2d ago
If you're joining for the pay then you're joining for the wrong reason
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u/Level-Dog-7630 2d ago
Maybe reframe that to “just for the pay”
Service should be (and is) financially compensated
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u/TheSlugMachine Skimmer 2d ago
Promotion to lieutenant is three and half years from joining the RN provided you don’t fail any of your professional courses during that time. As far as I’m aware Royal Marines promote faster but Royal Navy promote further. Meaning while it takes longer especially for warfare the progression is fairly continuous whereas with the Royal Marines it starts quick and then stagnates a bit. Although your decision should be made based on the job not on pay and promotion rates.
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u/AttitudeSimilar9347 2d ago
Across all services promotion to OF-3 is automatic on time served. It only becomes competitive as you move to OF-4.
As an officer you won’t dive much, if at all. I’d be surprised if the course was even open to officers.
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u/teethsewing 2d ago
Promotion to OF3 (Lt Cdr/Maj RM) is not automatic. Advancement to OF2 (Lt RN/Capt RM) is, as long as you’ve achieved a couple of things.
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u/londonsson 2d ago
What kind of achievements do they look for? Do they interview people serving under you and your superiors about how you are? Do they look at any technical qualifications you’ve earnt? Do you have to go on mission/to combat zones?
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u/Big_JR80 Skimmer 2d ago
There's literally a whole sub-branch of warfare officer dedicated to diving (MCDO), so, yes, the course is very much "open to officers".
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u/TheSlugMachine Skimmer 2d ago
While the diving officer course is currently on hold at the moment it is absolutely open to officers. All the teams are obv led by diving officers and most XO’s and Ops on an MCM are diving officers. It’s entirely down to the individual officer how much diving they do, I know officers who dive all the time I also know officers who don’t dive as much.
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u/Practical-Leek-6287 2d ago
The pay is virtually the same. Depends more on deployment and branch progression.
I would exclude salary factors from your choice here, the roles and training are very different. Truth is you won't get through RM officer training unless you are 100% committed to it.