officers

[honoravo1]

Hi all,
I'm hoping to become an officer within the royal marines after I get my degree. However, I'm a bit worried that I won't see much combat as the other lads. It may seem childish but I do want to get stuck in and get my hands dirty. I've seen a lot of people saying is mainly an office job, is this true? Will I still see the frontline and go on training exercises etc?
If someone could clear this up for me that would be great.

 

[CallMeLucifer]

If my memory serves me correctly, once commissioned, RM officers will serve their first two years as troop commanders. After that, they can specialise in whatever. It would be pretty pointless to have Officers do the same training as the regs do only for them to not use it at all. But yes administration will be involved, as an officer's role is to manage the careers of their men.

Keep in mind, that Captain will be the highest rank that an Officer will see combat. Anything above that are staff roles.

 

[honoravo1]

If my memory serves me correctly, once commissioned, RM officers will serve their first two years as troop commanders. After that, they can specialise in whatever. It would be pretty pointless to have Officers do the same training as the regs do only for them to not use it at all. But yes administration will be involved, as an officer's role is to manage the careers of their men.

Keep in mind, that Captain will be the highest rank that an Officer will see combat. Anything above that are staff roles.

It says on the RM website you get promoted to captain after 26 months. From there how long does it take on average to be promoted to major? And can you say that you dont want to be promoted so you can stay being a captain to command on the front line?

 

[dolly]

It says on the RM website you get promoted to captain after 26 months. From there how long does it take on average to be promoted to major? And can you say that you dont want to be promoted so you can stay being a captain to command on the front line?

Promotion to Major is highly competitive and based on merit, not time served. If I recall correctly, you could theoretically stay as a Captain for the rest of your career. A Major requires additional talents and skills to be considered for promotion, on top of the skills already needed to be a Royal Marines Officer. So, there's no official time limit.

 

[honoravo1]

Promotion to Major is highly competitive and based on merit, not time served. If I recall correctly, you could theoretically stay as a Captain for the rest of your career. A Major requires additional talents and skills to be considered for promotion, on top of the skills already needed to be a Royal Marines Officer. So, there's no official time limit.

So effectively you could stay captain for the rest of your career still seeing the front line? And another question do officers still go on training exercises and spend nights in the field etc?

 

[dolly]

So effectively you could stay captain for the rest of your career still seeing the front line? And another question do officers still go on training exercises and spend nights in the field etc?

Captain still involves A LOT of admin, you likely won't be at the pointy end from what I can gather. Of course, you'd still be deployed, but again, even as a standard troop boss you're not/shouldn't be in the absolute thick of it, you have to be concerned with your men and making tactical decisions to win the engagement. What I'm saying is, you won't be kicking down doors and stabbing Our Nation's enemies in the face.

 

[honoravo1]

Captain still involves A LOT of admin, you likely won't be at the pointy end from what I can gather. Of course, you'd still be deployed, but again, even as a standard troop boss you're not/shouldn't be in the absolute thick of it, you have to be concerned with your men and making tactical decisions to win the engagement. What I'm saying is, you won't be kicking down doors and stabbing Our Nation's enemies in the face.

Why would soldiers do this and officers wont?

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Probably worth pointing out, as with Other Ranks, the vast majority of Commissioned Officers serve fewer than 8 years.

A lot of guys think they are going to be fighting wars at the sharp end for decades until they earn their pension and finally leave. Put bluntly, no-one does.

 

[dolly]

Why would soldiers do this and officers wont?

I think you need to research the roles of an officer, and the roles of an infantryman, a lot more thoroughly. You must realise that an officer's role, is to lead, and manage. I'm sure someone with more knowledge can help you if you are actually serious about joining the Royal Marines. @Ninja_Stoker is the go to man.

 

[honoravo1]

I think you need to research the roles of an officer, and the roles of an infantryman, a lot more thoroughly. You must realise that an officer's role, is to lead, and manage. I'm sure someone with more knowledge can help you if you are actually serious about joining the Royal Marines. @Ninja_Stoker is the go to man.

Why do u think I'm on this forum? Because the information I want to know isn't on their website. Of course, I know the point of an officer, I'm literally just asking if officers are on the frontline going on training exercises etc. I was just curious on why soldiers would be kicking doors down and officers would't be.

 

[Rob20]

Why do u think I'm on this forum? Because the information I want to know isn't on their website. Of course, I know the point of an officer, I'm literally just asking if officers are on the frontline going on training exercises etc. I was just curious on why soldiers would be kicking doors down and officers would't be.

An officer is there to orchestrate the troops movement. If you look at bog standard old fashioned troop attacks, you'll have 3 elements, Suppress, Assault, Reserves. The boss needs to be able to have eyes on as many of these as possible in order to keep them moving where he needs them. If he's point man of the assaulting section, he can't do that.

Corporals are there to run the sections. They'll devise a plan with the boss, the boss will release them and trust that they'll get the job done. The boss will be keeping Zero informed while this is all going on

 

[dolly]

Why do u think I'm on this forum? Because the information I want to know isn't on their website. Of course, I know the point of an officer, I'm literally just asking if officers are on the frontline going on training exercises etc. I was just curious on why soldiers would be kicking doors down and officers would't be.

@Rob20 answered your question, best way to have put it.

 

[CallMeLucifer]

Why would soldiers do this and officers wont?

As an officer, your Troop/ platoon is your weapon. It's kind of like a game of chess in some sense. And this goes all the way to the top. From commanding a troop/platoon, to commanding a corps or army.

 

[CallMeLucifer]

Promotion to Major is highly competitive and based on merit, not time served. If I recall correctly, you could theoretically stay as a Captain for the rest of your career.

A mentor of mine (served back in his day) half jokingly told me 'If you're still a Captain after 10 years, switch careers. "

 

[SCOTTY6]

This question has been asked so many times. Remember to try the search bar. https://www.royalmarines.uk/threads/officer-or-commando.136187/#post-733641

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Over the years we've had all sorts of questions on this topic, including "why can't an Officer be a sniper". Although the words are bland, the simple two words that best describe the Officer role are "Big Picture".

In the same way the person managing a hospital manages the output to best effect. The hospital manager doesn't need to have a medical degree or perform operations.

 

[Ninja_Stoker]

Just to add, this really is a 'frequent flyer' query, but I particularly thought this thread with some cracking input from a Commissioned Officer (@dodgyknees), was particularly useful for those who are trying to find out a bit more than what it says in the glossy recruiting leaflets & webpages: https://www.royalmarines.uk/threads...-answers-would-be-greatly-appreciated.112245/