Royal Navy Branch
the royal navy

Specialty

From within the 5 fighting arms and services, the Royal Navy has 9 branch specialities, each performing a vital role:

Aviation, Engineering, Logistics, Warfare, Medical, Chaplaincy, Royal Marines Bands Service, Royal Marines Reserve, Royal Naval Reserve.

Royal Navy Police, serve in Warfare branch.

Aviation

The aircraft of Fleet Air Arm (FAA) provide specialised air support using advanced aircraft technology, fixed wing, rotary, advancing ever forward on the wings of history and stoic efforts of the historic bi-plane defence.

The aviation teams work with every service to provide expert aviation across land and sea, deploying as ships flight crew, to landing Royal Marines or engaging in search and rescue and more, often in the most challenging of environments.

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In this image a Lynx helicopter is being refuelled on the flight deck of HMS Ark Royal during the DISTEX (Disaster Exercise) phase of her Basic Operational Sea Training (BOST). BOST is a six week intensive exercise in the English Channel Exercise Areas, testing all areas of the ship under the watchful eye of Flag Officer Sea Training's team (FOST). This testing is carried out after a period of refit or any prolonged period of being in dock. DISTEX exercises the ships capabilities to provide humanitarian relief in the wake of natural disaster or civil unrest.
Air Engineering Technicians (AETs) from 800 Naval Air Squadron conduct an engine change in a hangar at Kandahar airbase. October 2006 saw the pilots of 800 NAS fly over 503 hours and delivering over 32,335 lbs of ordnance to the Taliban below in direct support of ISAF troops on the ground.

Engineering

The engineering branch hosts the team of close-knit specialist and problem solvers dedicated ad critical to the upkeep of maintenance of ship, aircraft and submarines and their systems fully operational, globally.

Whether it is in marine, air or weapons, advanced engineering and sophisticated equipment demands world class training and specialisation to keep the Royal Navy moving.

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Logistics

The heart and hub of the Naval Service, from hospitality and representation, Human Resource support, to organising supplies to catering and complex scheduling in between, providing personnel with everything they need to time and plan, to maintain personal and operational effectiveness.

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Bags of food and supplies line the dockside in Singapore as HMS Illustrious arrives to ship it to the typhoon stricken islands of the Philippines. Following the devastation of parts of the eastern Philippines by Typhoon Haiyan, the Department for International Development (DfID) requested MOD support to the humanitarian relief effort.

Warfare

The Warfare branch is front line focussed on providing vital defence capabilities in protecting the nations interests.

Highly skilled, trained in and supported by the latest communication, weapon and defence system technology, the ethos is hands on and calmly getting the job done, whatever the circumstance or weather.

It begins with expert and, or tactical seamanship and operations can vary from providing humanitarian aid, leading a team of professional sailors, combat operations or providing support for the Naval Service, from the Persian Gulf, to the Gulf of Mexico above or below sea, as part of the Surface Fleet, Submarine Service or Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

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Medical Service

The branch of the Royal Navy Medical Service consists of Medical Officers, (physicians), and non – commissioned Officers in various roles, ratings who join as medical assistants with training not dissimilar to that of paramedics. Nursing services work alongside the Medical Service and provided by QARNNS.

All ranks of the medical branch provide medical care at home shore within naval establishments, at sea or in the field for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Submarine Service.

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Pictured is a patients Hospital Folder in the operating theatre of a deployed Field Hospital in Jordan. 32 Field Hospital, part of the Vanguard Enabling Group deployed on Exercise Shamal Storm, Jordan in 2016. These deployable hospitals can be operational in under 16 hours. Exercise Shamal Storm 16 is an overseas training exercise in the Kingdom of Jordan by Force Troops Command (FTC). The Exercise assures the readiness of military capabilities held within Force Troops Command for current and future contingencies. The Army’s deployable forces are collectively called the Vanguard and are held to various stages of readiness to deploy on operations to deter aggression and protect UK interests.
naval nurse

QARNNS

Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS)

Initially shore based, a uniformed Naval Nursing Service was introduced in 1884.

When Queen Consort Alexandra became President of the Nursing Staff in 1902, the service was renamed in her honour, followed by the establishment of the Queen Alexandra Royal Naval Nursing Reserve in 1910.

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Naval Chaplaincy

A community of clergy and associates from various denominations, trained at the Britannia Royal Naval College, provide pastoral care, spiritual and moral leadership, working together in Christian unity.

Chaplains assist the Commanding Officers to pastorally care for their people in peace time and during conflict and may choose to serve the Royal Navy, Submarine Service or Royal Marines.

Their unique connection extends and is integral to giving support to the families of Royal Naval personnel.

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Royal Marine Band Service

Music has for centuries remained an integral part of military scope.

The Commando Brigade Royal Marines undergo training at the Royal Marines School of Music and combine musical excellence with military competence, whether marching with exacting precision at ceremonial events across the world, to prestigious and public events.

Coupled with the role of musician and morale enhancer, the undertaking is extended to provide military support to the Royal Marines in both a specialised and operational capacity.

Digital purchase Life on the Ocean Wave copyright the Massed Bands of HM Royal Marines Mountbatten Festival of Music:
CD SKU: CHVCD50LOTOW.  www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk

Maritime Reserves

The Maritime Reserve is made up of two vital, valued forces: the Royal Naval Reserve, and the Royal Marines Reserve, and Royal Naval Reserve, combining a career in the Royal Navy with their civilian life.

The Royal Marine Reserve is a smaller but key part of overall strength. Elite in their offering, completing the same commando course, these reserves are highly trained, fighting fit and dedicated.

The Royal Naval Reserve is a unique force made up of trained, committed civilians from a diverse range of backgrounds and skills. These highly valued part time personnel are trained to assist in times of tension, humanitarian crisis, or conflict, stand alongside the highly specialised and elite regulars in service, to protect the nations interests.

marine society and sea cadets

Cadets and seafarers

MSSC’s vision of being the leading maritime charity for youth development and lifelong learning aligns these two great charities under a common cause of transformational change, improving life chances and benefitting communities and wider society as a whole.

For Sea Cadets, this means inspiring and supporting the next generation through nautical adventure so they can realise their potential and grab a better future.

For the Marine Society, this means enabling seafarers to get to where they want to be through learning and self-development. www.ms-sc.org

Sea Cadets T.S. Tormentor

There are many independent cadet groups and organisations across the UK who support the values and ethos of the Senior Service and offer young people the opportunity for self-development, learning new skills, and shared experiences whilst making memories, life skills and friends.

Sea Cadets Warsash Scc – Ts Tormentor, are based at the Warsash Maritime Academy where the focus and aim is to give young people an experience through various activities and adventures and teamwork to help them grow into the best version of themselves in a safe and friendly environment.

www.sea-cadets.org/warsash

mbsc4 (3)

The Massed Bands of the Sea Cadets

The Massed Bands of the Sea Cadets Corps comprises drummers, buglers and musicians from Unit Bands across the UK.  It’s role in accordance with it’s Facebook page is to provide musical entertainment at events on behalf of the Sea Cadets Corps.

We reference this genre of Marching Band alongside it’s influencers The Royal Marine Band Service.

Whilst curtailed in performing in key events as the Birmingham International Tattoo and Trafalgar Day amongst others, we enjoy a step back in time and their performances and look eagerly forward to what’s ahead for the Bands and their members.
www.sea-cadets.org