Navy

Royal Navy Command: Tested To The Limit

Every year 400 young hopefuls take on the challenge of trying to become a Royal Navy officer and endure 30 weeks of intense training, where they are tested to the limit – physically and mentally.

Blood, sweat and tears are shed at the hands of the no-nonsense instructors at the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), whose aim is to transform the officer cadets into leaders.

The course has taken place in Dartmouth for more than 100 years and this latest batch of recruits come from many backgrounds but share one ambition – to qualify as a midshipman.

One of the biggest tests they face is Exercise Marl – a five-day test on the River Dart. Each individual must prove to an examiner they can operate safely and confidently as a Commanding Officer (CO), Executive Officer (XO or 2IC), Navigational Officer (NAVS) or Officer of the Watch (OW).

We focus on the following five characters during the filming:

Jamie Sahote: He has wanted to be a Royal Naval Officer since the age of 10 and aims to become a submarine engineer. Despite attending a military prep school he, like many others, finds the physical training very tough.

Josh Berg: Originally wanted to be in the Royal Marines but transfers out of the Commando Training Centre and joins the course at BRNC. Physical training is his strong point.

Andy Lines: A former Royal Navy reservist, he becomes convinced he’s failed the course when his most important mission doesn’t go to plan. He hopes to join the Submarine Service.

Lucas Curry: A former supermarket worker, he's one of the younger Officer Cadets on the course at 22. He hopes to be an observer in the Fleet Air Arm.

Rebecca Reavell: Left a job in business to pursue a more adventurous career – despite never having been to sea. She couldn’t face her desk job any longer and hasn’t looked back.