Ninja_Stoker
Admin
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2007
- Posts
- 34,943
- Reaction score
- 16,446
This thread has been updated (January 2017) to incorporate latest changes to the procedure for rejoining the Corps or transferring with former military service.
To process your application you must first provide all former service discharge documentation including that listed below, the onus is on you to provide them at your earliest opportunity.
1. Discharge Certificate (If issued) &/or Certificate of Service.
2. Last Performance Appraisal Report.
This must indicate whether you are recommended further service.(If the report states you are not recommended for further service then we can not process your application, if it says after *text deleted* months, you must wait for that time to elapse before you may re-apply)
3. Your last service pay statement. This ensures you get paid for your service seniority, providing you completed training & have not been "outside" for more than 12 months.
Unless you are rejoining the Corps as a trained re-entrant, you will join on the New Entry rate of pay. Once trained you maybe awarded some seniority for former trained service.
4. Passport (You must have a valid one as a condition of entry into the service)
5. NHS Number (10 digits- available from your GP)
6. NI Number
7. Birth Certificate
8. Red Book- ARMY (if issued)
9. Testimonial (if issued) - Royal Marines
10. If Medically Discharged - all medical discharge documents.
When you provide above listed documentation, you should complete a new application form, sign the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act & you MUST sign your consent for the release of:
a) Your former service records.
b) Your former service medical records.
The AFCO can not accept application forms without first taking copies of the above documentation.
Currently there are record numbers of applicants wishing to rejoin the services.
When discharged, individuals are advised that duplicate discharge certificates cannot be issued & that re-entry is conditional upon production of these documents.
Experience reveals that a disproportionate amount of discharge documents, reaching comedic numbers, appear to befall untold calamities. It is indeed amazing that dog food manufacturers are still in business given that the canine staple diet seemingly involves service documents.
Very often when people leave the service they have no intention of rejoining & some individuals get rid of the documents because they indicate a less than favourable employment reference.
Those that wish to request evidence of former service may submit a Subject Access Request via the Ministry of Defence however they may be charged for this & it will inevitably take some time.
Be aware incorrect or incomplete forms will further delay your application significantly.
Those with former service unable to provide former pay statements should visit; https://www.defencegateway.mod.uk/
The AFCO will then apply for your former records. (Typically this takes about 3-4 weeks for former RN/RM & RAF applicants, former ARMY applicants is approx 8-12 weeks). On receipt the AFCO will then apply for permission to process your application- this takes a further 3-4 weeks & is granted by the Royal Marines Branch Manager. Providing you are considered a viable candidate for re-entry, the AFCO can then proceed with your application.
If you are a Trained RM Commando re-entry, you have to be interviewed, pass medical, PJFT & have your Security Clearance renewed before the AFCO can apply for permission for you to re-enter service. Your Branch Manager will advise what additional training you must undergo upon re-joining, subject to when you left the service.
For all others: Your Royal Navy Recruiting Test (RT) has to have been passed within the last three years, and have scored high enough for the Royal Marine Commandos.
ALL former RAF & ARMY candidates, together with RN/RM applicants who have underscored or are out of date will be required to sit the RT. If you score high enough, you will be interviewed & if found suitable you will be medically examined & if you are passed fit for service you will undergo the pre-joining fitness test.
If you pass all of that the AFCO will then re-apply for security clearance, which takes about 6-8 weeks.
After being granted security clearance the AFCO then apply for permission for you to re-enter the service.
You should be aware that the waiting time to enter the service can vary from month to month and is subject to variance because of the limited amount of training places available and the number of applicants at any given time.
There are several things you should also take in to consideration when re-joining the Service, but two major considerations are as follows:
1. You will be required to undergo phase one training at CTC Lympstone if you are a former RN/RAF/ARMY applicant or did not complete phase one training to an adequate standard previously.
2. You will re-join the service on the AFPS 05 pension scheme regardless of which scheme you left on - this is significantly different to the earlier AFPS 75 scheme and you would be strongly advised to investigate further how this will affect you.
The thing to remember is that re-entry is by no means guaranteed & your former record of service is a key factor in your being permitted to re-enter.
Following several queries from trained RM Commandos, considering re-joining:
RM TRAINED RE-ENTRIES ONLY
Trained RM re-entries (and RMR ranks on transfer to Full Career) will be allocated to enter CTCRM.
Candidates cannot make an application for a Married Quarter until they have successfully completed the re-training programme.
Trained re-entries may use their own transport. Overnight accommodation is available for those arriving PM on the previous day.
Normal night and weekend leave may be granted whilst at CTCRM.
CTCRM will process Trained re-entries and draft them to the trained strength, normally, within the first month of joining CTCRM. However, they will be required to pass all elements of the Training Assessment listed below within four weeks of arrival at CTCRM.
They will undertake Initial Training Assessment and complete Enlistment/Joining Brief/Documentation. Depending on the initial training assessment, individuals will be administered by the Central Training Team Staff and complete the following criteria checks:
1. Interview and Training assessment.
2. Medical and Dental Checks. Kit Issue.
3. Complete all Weapon Tests and Weapon training revision.
4. Pass Basic Fitness Test and basic Swimming Tests.
5. Complete fieldcraft and other revision.
6. Complete CBRN theory and practical and annual CBRN tests.
7. Written military skills and knowledge tests.
8. Formal interview with Commanding Officer
On successful completion of applicable tests, Trained re-entries will then be drafted.
To process your application you must first provide all former service discharge documentation including that listed below, the onus is on you to provide them at your earliest opportunity.
1. Discharge Certificate (If issued) &/or Certificate of Service.
2. Last Performance Appraisal Report.
This must indicate whether you are recommended further service.(If the report states you are not recommended for further service then we can not process your application, if it says after *text deleted* months, you must wait for that time to elapse before you may re-apply)
3. Your last service pay statement. This ensures you get paid for your service seniority, providing you completed training & have not been "outside" for more than 12 months.
Unless you are rejoining the Corps as a trained re-entrant, you will join on the New Entry rate of pay. Once trained you maybe awarded some seniority for former trained service.
4. Passport (You must have a valid one as a condition of entry into the service)
5. NHS Number (10 digits- available from your GP)
6. NI Number
7. Birth Certificate
8. Red Book- ARMY (if issued)
9. Testimonial (if issued) - Royal Marines
10. If Medically Discharged - all medical discharge documents.
When you provide above listed documentation, you should complete a new application form, sign the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act & you MUST sign your consent for the release of:
a) Your former service records.
b) Your former service medical records.
The AFCO can not accept application forms without first taking copies of the above documentation.
Currently there are record numbers of applicants wishing to rejoin the services.
When discharged, individuals are advised that duplicate discharge certificates cannot be issued & that re-entry is conditional upon production of these documents.
Experience reveals that a disproportionate amount of discharge documents, reaching comedic numbers, appear to befall untold calamities. It is indeed amazing that dog food manufacturers are still in business given that the canine staple diet seemingly involves service documents.
Very often when people leave the service they have no intention of rejoining & some individuals get rid of the documents because they indicate a less than favourable employment reference.
Those that wish to request evidence of former service may submit a Subject Access Request via the Ministry of Defence however they may be charged for this & it will inevitably take some time.
Be aware incorrect or incomplete forms will further delay your application significantly.
Those with former service unable to provide former pay statements should visit; https://www.defencegateway.mod.uk/
The AFCO will then apply for your former records. (Typically this takes about 3-4 weeks for former RN/RM & RAF applicants, former ARMY applicants is approx 8-12 weeks). On receipt the AFCO will then apply for permission to process your application- this takes a further 3-4 weeks & is granted by the Royal Marines Branch Manager. Providing you are considered a viable candidate for re-entry, the AFCO can then proceed with your application.
If you are a Trained RM Commando re-entry, you have to be interviewed, pass medical, PJFT & have your Security Clearance renewed before the AFCO can apply for permission for you to re-enter service. Your Branch Manager will advise what additional training you must undergo upon re-joining, subject to when you left the service.
For all others: Your Royal Navy Recruiting Test (RT) has to have been passed within the last three years, and have scored high enough for the Royal Marine Commandos.
ALL former RAF & ARMY candidates, together with RN/RM applicants who have underscored or are out of date will be required to sit the RT. If you score high enough, you will be interviewed & if found suitable you will be medically examined & if you are passed fit for service you will undergo the pre-joining fitness test.
If you pass all of that the AFCO will then re-apply for security clearance, which takes about 6-8 weeks.
After being granted security clearance the AFCO then apply for permission for you to re-enter the service.
You should be aware that the waiting time to enter the service can vary from month to month and is subject to variance because of the limited amount of training places available and the number of applicants at any given time.
There are several things you should also take in to consideration when re-joining the Service, but two major considerations are as follows:
1. You will be required to undergo phase one training at CTC Lympstone if you are a former RN/RAF/ARMY applicant or did not complete phase one training to an adequate standard previously.
2. You will re-join the service on the AFPS 05 pension scheme regardless of which scheme you left on - this is significantly different to the earlier AFPS 75 scheme and you would be strongly advised to investigate further how this will affect you.
The thing to remember is that re-entry is by no means guaranteed & your former record of service is a key factor in your being permitted to re-enter.
Following several queries from trained RM Commandos, considering re-joining:
RM TRAINED RE-ENTRIES ONLY
Trained RM re-entries (and RMR ranks on transfer to Full Career) will be allocated to enter CTCRM.
Candidates cannot make an application for a Married Quarter until they have successfully completed the re-training programme.
Trained re-entries may use their own transport. Overnight accommodation is available for those arriving PM on the previous day.
Normal night and weekend leave may be granted whilst at CTCRM.
CTCRM will process Trained re-entries and draft them to the trained strength, normally, within the first month of joining CTCRM. However, they will be required to pass all elements of the Training Assessment listed below within four weeks of arrival at CTCRM.
They will undertake Initial Training Assessment and complete Enlistment/Joining Brief/Documentation. Depending on the initial training assessment, individuals will be administered by the Central Training Team Staff and complete the following criteria checks:
1. Interview and Training assessment.
2. Medical and Dental Checks. Kit Issue.
3. Complete all Weapon Tests and Weapon training revision.
4. Pass Basic Fitness Test and basic Swimming Tests.
5. Complete fieldcraft and other revision.
6. Complete CBRN theory and practical and annual CBRN tests.
7. Written military skills and knowledge tests.
8. Formal interview with Commanding Officer
On successful completion of applicable tests, Trained re-entries will then be drafted.
Last edited:
