Admiralty Interview Board facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1903 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of the United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | HMS Sultan |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Navy Command |
The Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) is a key step for anyone wanting to become an officer in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines. It also applies to the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Think of it like a special selection process. It's similar to how the Army and Royal Air Force choose their officers. This process first started way back in 1903.
Before 2020, the AIB was a two-day assessment held at HMS Sultan. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it moved online.
Contents
If you want to become an officer in the Royal Navy, you first go to an Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO). Here, you take some tests and have an initial interview.
- All applicants take a common recruitment test. The score you need depends on the job you want.
- After the test, you have a formal 'sift' interview. This helps decide if you're suitable.
- If you want to join the Royal Marines, you must also pass a special course called the Potential Officers Course (POC). This course checks if you have what it takes.
- For the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, all your interviews happen in Portsmouth.
Once you pass these first steps, you get a spot on an AIB board. Passing the AIB is a big step towards being chosen for officer training. The board doesn't compare you against others directly. Instead, you get a score based on your performance. This score then helps decide if you get selected for training.
AIB Before 2020: The Two-Day Assessment
Before 2020, the AIB involved many different tests. These included academic challenges, physical fitness tests, and mental tasks. They all helped to see if you were a good fit for an officer role.
- Future Royal Marines officers also had to complete their Potential Officers' Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone. This is where Royal Marines get their tough training.
- If you wanted to be an aircrew officer, you took flying tests at RAF Cranwell before the AIB.
Each AIB board was led by a senior officer, usually a Captain or Commander. They were helped by other officers. Each board looked at a small group of four candidates, called a syndicate. Several boards could happen at the same time. Experienced staff members helped with the administration and gave briefings to the candidates.
Day One: Getting Ready and Getting Fit
Candidates usually arrived around midday on the first day. Most of this day was about getting familiar with the tests for the next day. It also included a fitness test. This day helped the small groups of candidates get to know each other and work as a team.
- You would see a practice planning exercise. This was a simpler version of a task you'd do later.
- After that, you'd go to the gym. Here, you learned about the Practical Leadership Tasks (PLTs). You'd learn techniques, how to use equipment, and important safety rules.
- The day ended with a fitness assessment. This was a 1.5-mile run. You needed to finish in a certain time. You also had to show you were motivated and determined. You wouldn't get your run result until the very end of the AIB.
- In the evening, candidates had free time. They were encouraged to practice for the PLTs and bond with their group. This helped them prepare for the next day.
Day Two: Challenges and Interviews
The second day was when the main assessments happened. Senior officers watched and interviewed candidates.
- First, the group did a leadership exercise in the gym without a leader.
- Then, each candidate took turns leading a Practical Leadership Task. These tasks involved solving problems, like moving loads across gaps using special equipment.
- Next was the assessed planning exercise. Your group would get a problem to solve. You'd discuss it together and present a group plan to the officers.
- After the group discussion, each candidate was asked questions about the problem and the group's plan.
- Then, each candidate wrote down their own individual plan. They presented this plan alone to the officers.
- The final tasks were an interview and some special tests. The interview lasted about 30 minutes. You'd talk about your past achievements, challenges you've overcome, and why you want to join the Naval Service.
- Mixed in with the interviews were tests that checked your thinking skills. These included tests for abstract, numerical, and verbal reasoning.
AIB Now: The Virtual Format
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the AIB process changed. It is now done online.
- The first step involves recording answers to eight different interview questions. You have two minutes to answer each question.
- If you do well in this stage, small groups of candidates then do a virtual leadership exercise. This happens over a video call.
- Importantly, fitness is not part of the online AIB assessment.
These online arrangements are still in place as of Spring 2023.
What Happens After the AIB?
After completing the AIB, there are a few possible outcomes:
- Passed and Offered a Spot: If you pass, you might be offered a position right away. Sometimes, the best-scoring candidates from several boards are chosen.
- Passed but Not Selected Yet: If you pass but aren't chosen immediately, you might be offered a different job if there are openings. Or, you might be asked to come back to the AIB after 12 months if more spots become available.
- Not Passed: If you don't pass, you might be invited back again. This usually happens after at least 6 months, if the senior officer believes you have potential. However, sometimes you might be advised not to return.
You can only take part in the AIB a maximum of three times.
If you are a successful Royal Navy or Royal Fleet Auxiliary candidate, you will attend initial officer training at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. If you are a successful Royal Marines candidate, you will go to CTCRM Lympstone for your training.
