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Royal Marines Commandos
Royal Marines Commandos are elite soldiers trained to respond to crises and dangers anywhere in the world. They work in teams on demanding operations - from disaster relief to military missions - and their training is among the toughest in the world.
No degree needed for many routesApprenticeship route
AI impact: low££ payApprenticeship route
2
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Robin · your guide
Curious about being a royal marines commandos? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.
What you'd actually do
As a Royal Marines Commando, you will go through 32 weeks of extremely tough training to learn the skills you need. This training builds your physical fitness, your ability to think clearly under pressure, and your teamwork skills. You will train in different environments - mountains, deserts, arctic conditions - so you can work anywhere you are sent.
After training, you will join an elite team that can be called on at any time to respond to emergencies. Your work might include helping after disasters, peacekeeping missions, or military operations where conflict is possible. This is dangerous work and you need to be prepared for that. You will use advanced weapons and equipment, work closely with your team, and rely on your training to stay safe. It is a job that demands courage, discipline and the ability to work as one with the people beside you.
1Engage in rigorous physical training to maintain peak fitness and readiness.
2Conduct tactical exercises and drills to enhance combat readiness and team coordination.
3Participate in strategic planning sessions for operational missions.
4Utilize advanced weaponry and equipment during training and real-world scenarios.
5Perform reconnaissance missions to gather intelligence in diverse environments.
6Engage in community outreach and support initiatives to bolster public relations.
7Collaborate with allied forces in joint operations and exercises.
Career progression & pay
01
Getting in
Junior Commando
£20,000
Minimum age of 16.5, passing fitness tests, and completing the selection process.
As a Junior Commando, you will begin your journey with basic training, focusing on physical fitness, teamwork, and foundational military skills.
02
Building up
Mid-Level Commando
£35,000
Completion of initial training and operational experience.
In this role, you will take on more responsibilities, participate in advanced training, and engage in operational deployments.
03
At the top
Senior Commando
£60,000+
Extensive experience, leadership training, and specialised skills.
As a Senior Commando, you will lead teams in complex operations, mentor junior members, and contribute to strategic planning.
Degrees that lead here via Public Services & Government
Degree options are mapped from subjects - explore the buckets to find related courses.
Apprenticeships that lead here
Who hires - top UK employers
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom, which includes the Royal Marines.
Ministry of Defence
The UK government department responsible for implementing the defence policy set by Her Majesty's Government.
AI & the future of this job
Royal Marines Commandos sit at the very bottom of AI disruption risk. Every core function, from close-quarters combat and amphibious operations to reconnaissance in hostile terrain, demands physical capability, split-second human judgement under fire, and elite psychological resilience that no AI system can replicate. The role is defined precisely by its irreducible human demands. AI tools will assist with planning and intelligence processing, but the commando themselves remains the irreplaceable asset.
Within 5 Years
Negligible operational change
AI will begin enhancing battlefield intelligence, with better drone feeds, faster threat analysis, and improved mission planning software. Marines will use these as force-multipliers, not replacements. Your role becomes more effective, not threatened. Recruitment standards will remain unchanged and likely intensify as the Corps invests in human quality over quantity.
Within 10 Years
Augmented by AI tools
Autonomous systems such as reconnaissance drones and AI-assisted targeting will be standard kit, and Marines will be trained to operate alongside them fluently. Decision-making authority, rules of engagement, and on-the-ground adaptability remain firmly human responsibilities. The commando who understands both elite soldiering and autonomous systems will be exceptionally valuable. Your human judgement becomes the command layer over increasingly capable machines.
Within 20 Years
Strategically more valuable
As AI handles more predictable, structured military logistics and analysis, the premium placed on small, highly adaptive special operations units like the Royal Marines will likely increase. The messy, unpredictable, politically sensitive operations where human presence and judgement is non-negotiable are precisely where commandos operate. Robotic ground warfare may exist in limited forms, but elite human units will retain the missions that require trust, restraint, and split-second moral reasoning. The Corps will evolve its doctrine, but the commando role is structurally secure.
How to stay ahead
Embrace AI-assisted intelligence tools early
Get ahead of the curve by developing genuine fluency with drone operation, AI-assisted surveillance platforms, and digital mapping tools during training. Marines who understand how to interrogate and act on AI-generated intelligence will lead more effective operations. This is not about replacing instinct but sharpening it with better information.
Build strategic and planning credentials
Alongside physical excellence, invest in the planning and analytical side of operations, particularly courses in strategic studies, counter-terrorism, or defence intelligence. As AI handles more routine data processing, the human value lies in interpreting ambiguous situations and making command decisions. These credentials also significantly strengthen your post-service career options.
Develop cross-domain expertise for longevity
Consider specialising in cyber operations, psychological operations, or unmanned systems integration during your service career. These disciplines sit at the intersection of elite human skill and emerging technology, making you highly sought after both within the Corps and in the private sector. They also future-proof your earning potential well beyond service.
Plan your post-service transition deliberately
The leadership and operational experience from the Royal Marines opens doors in security consulting, crisis management, government intelligence roles, and senior operations management. Unlike many graduate careers now being compressed by AI, your skills are experiential and deeply human-centric, meaning civilian employers will compete for you. Start building your professional network through resettlement programmes well before you leave service.
How to get in - your routes
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