Admiralty Interview Board
Encyclopedia
The Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) is the instrument of Officer selection for the Royal Navy
, Royal Marines
, Royal Naval Reserve
, Royal Marines Reserve
, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
. It is based at HMS Sultan in Gosport
, Hampshire
.
(CTCRM) at Lympstone
and Aircrew candidates will have taken Flying Aptitude Tests at RAF Cranwell
prior to attending the AIB.
On arrival, candidates are allotted to their individual Board, presided over by a Board President (a Captain) who is assisted by Commander
, and a Lieutenant
(or their Royal Marine equivalents). There will up to three Boards running concurrently, each with four candidates. Each Board is assigned a senior rating or senior NCO who is responsible for the Board's welfare and for briefing the Board on the various tasks. Candidates will remain with their team-mates throughout the selection process, making it common for strong friendships to develop over the course of the AIB.
Upon completion of these tests, around lunchtime, the candidates are presented with a sample Planning Exercise, a significantly simpler version of the exercise that they will complete on Day 3. After being briefed on this they are conducted to the gymnasium. Here they are given a further briefing on the Practical Leadership Tasks which they will also face on Day 3, covering techniques, basic familiarisation with equipment, and health and safety issues.
As the final event of the day, candidates are tested as to their level of fitness. This is assessed by means of the Multi-Stage Fitness Assessment. This is not a pass or fail test, Candidates are being tested on their motivation, which is compared to the expected level a candidate of a certain age and sex should attain. Upon completion of this test the candidates are free for the evening.
The day begins with the Practical Leadership Task. Returning to the gymnasium, the candidates will be presented with a variety of scenarios, involving, amongst other things, the bridging of imaginary chasms with supplied poles and ropes, accompanied by an awkward object or burden. The first task is a group task, with no designated leader. Following this, the candidates will take it in turns to be leader, the remainder of the candidates operating under his or her control.
After this is completed, the candidates embark on the Planning Exercise. This involves a considerably more complicated scenario than that seen on Day 2. Candidates are given a short period to study the scenario, a problem is then introduced which must be overcome. Candidates discuss possible courses of action as a group, presenting a group plan to the Board. Each candidate is then rigorously questioned on the scenario and the group plan. After this, each candidate presents an individual plan arrived at on their own, which may or may not be the same as the group plan, depending on the flaws that the questioning turned up.
The final task is the interview. Here, over a period of thirty minutes, candidates are interviewed about their past achievements, experiences of difficulty overcome, and examined as to their motivations in joining the services.
Formerly the Board staff would report to the Board President on the social conduct of each candidate during their time there, although it is thought that this no longer takes place.
Upon the conclusion of the interviews, after a brief lunch-break, candidates are individually brought before their Board President and informed as to whether they have passed or failed. As candidates are assessed against a standard and not against each other's performance (there are no set quotas for acceptance - if you meet the standard you pass), it is often found that strong teams will see all members meet the standard. Successful candidates then attend the Central Air and Admiralty Medical Board (CAAMB) for medical clearance, those rejected are free to leave.
in Dartmouth
, England
, their pass remains valid for a year, after which if they had not been selected for an intake up to that point, they have the option to return to the AIB to attempt a better pass. Unlike the parallel system in the United States Navy
, there are no alternative methods of entry; every prospective officer must pass the selection board and attend the College.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, Royal Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
, Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
, Royal Marines Reserve
Royal Marines Reserve
The role of the Royal Marines Reserve of the United Kingdom is to support the regular Royal Marines in times of war or national crisis. The RMR consists of some 600-1000 trained ranks distributed among the five RMR Centres within the UK...
, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
. It is based at HMS Sultan in Gosport
Gosport
Gosport is a town, district and borough situated on the south coast of England, within the county of Hampshire. It has approximately 80,000 permanent residents with a further 5,000-10,000 during the summer months...
, Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
.
Preliminaries
Those interested in pursuing a career in the Naval services will typically do so by walking into their local Armed Forces Careers Information Office. These offices, staffed by serving members of the armed forces, are to be found in most reasonably-sized towns in the UK. Here, the prospective candidate will be able to obtain literature and film material, and to discuss their potential career with the office staff. If the prospective candidate remains interested, he or she will be invited to complete a preliminary interest form, supplying basic personal details. Those unable or unwilling to visit a Careers Office can apply over the internet to have this preliminary interest form, with appropriate literature, sent to them for completion.The Board
The AIB is a two day course consisting of many different academic, physical, mental and aptitude tests. It is designed to put the candidates under pressure whilst fostering their team spirit and competitiveness. Passing the AIB is an essential requirement for acceptance into officer training for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary. However Royal Marine candidates must also pass the Potential Officers' Course at the Commando Training Centre Royal MarinesCommando Training Centre Royal Marines
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines of the British Armed Forces. It is situated near the village of Lympstone, between the city of Exeter, and the town of Exmouth in Devon...
(CTCRM) at Lympstone
Lympstone
Lympstone is a village and civil parish in East Devon in the English county of Devon. It has a population of 1,754. There is a harbour on the estuary of the River Exe, lying at the outlet of Wotton Brook between cliffs of red breccia...
and Aircrew candidates will have taken Flying Aptitude Tests at RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
prior to attending the AIB.
On arrival, candidates are allotted to their individual Board, presided over by a Board President (a Captain) who is assisted by Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, and a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
(or their Royal Marine equivalents). There will up to three Boards running concurrently, each with four candidates. Each Board is assigned a senior rating or senior NCO who is responsible for the Board's welfare and for briefing the Board on the various tasks. Candidates will remain with their team-mates throughout the selection process, making it common for strong friendships to develop over the course of the AIB.
Day 1
Candidates arrive at HMS Sultan in the late afternoon/early evening, reporting at the AIB complex. Here they are shown to their rooms (known as 'cabins') and are briefed on domestic arrangements. After settling in, a full collective briefing is given by one of the AIB's senior ratings, outlining the procedures and itinerary of the next two days. Dinner is then served and the rest of the evening is set aside to enable team-mates to socialise. Candidates are strongly advised to visit the pub, as it enables the candidates to get to know each other better, something that will come in useful for the subsequent team work tasks.Day 2
Day two is known as the "Testing day". It starts off early in the morning with a series of computer-based aptitude tests, intended to give the Board an indication of the candidate's intellectual and practical abilities. Amongst the areas explored are verbal and non-verbal reasoning, numerical ability, speed and accuracy, spatial orientation, and service knowledge. After these are completed, candidates are given 45 minutes to write an essay on a subject chosen from a prescribed list, as an assessment of written powers of communication.Upon completion of these tests, around lunchtime, the candidates are presented with a sample Planning Exercise, a significantly simpler version of the exercise that they will complete on Day 3. After being briefed on this they are conducted to the gymnasium. Here they are given a further briefing on the Practical Leadership Tasks which they will also face on Day 3, covering techniques, basic familiarisation with equipment, and health and safety issues.
As the final event of the day, candidates are tested as to their level of fitness. This is assessed by means of the Multi-Stage Fitness Assessment. This is not a pass or fail test, Candidates are being tested on their motivation, which is compared to the expected level a candidate of a certain age and sex should attain. Upon completion of this test the candidates are free for the evening.
Day 3
Day three is the day on which candidates will meet the Board President and his colleagues for the first time. They will be observing the candidates and their conduct throughout the day's tasks.The day begins with the Practical Leadership Task. Returning to the gymnasium, the candidates will be presented with a variety of scenarios, involving, amongst other things, the bridging of imaginary chasms with supplied poles and ropes, accompanied by an awkward object or burden. The first task is a group task, with no designated leader. Following this, the candidates will take it in turns to be leader, the remainder of the candidates operating under his or her control.
After this is completed, the candidates embark on the Planning Exercise. This involves a considerably more complicated scenario than that seen on Day 2. Candidates are given a short period to study the scenario, a problem is then introduced which must be overcome. Candidates discuss possible courses of action as a group, presenting a group plan to the Board. Each candidate is then rigorously questioned on the scenario and the group plan. After this, each candidate presents an individual plan arrived at on their own, which may or may not be the same as the group plan, depending on the flaws that the questioning turned up.
The final task is the interview. Here, over a period of thirty minutes, candidates are interviewed about their past achievements, experiences of difficulty overcome, and examined as to their motivations in joining the services.
Formerly the Board staff would report to the Board President on the social conduct of each candidate during their time there, although it is thought that this no longer takes place.
Upon the conclusion of the interviews, after a brief lunch-break, candidates are individually brought before their Board President and informed as to whether they have passed or failed. As candidates are assessed against a standard and not against each other's performance (there are no set quotas for acceptance - if you meet the standard you pass), it is often found that strong teams will see all members meet the standard. Successful candidates then attend the Central Air and Admiralty Medical Board (CAAMB) for medical clearance, those rejected are free to leave.
Purpose
Those selected by the Board are placed onto a final board list, the top scoring candidates for the number of places at each intake begin basic officer training at the Britannia Royal Naval CollegeBritannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
in Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth is a town and civil parish in the English county of Devon. It is a tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, their pass remains valid for a year, after which if they had not been selected for an intake up to that point, they have the option to return to the AIB to attempt a better pass. Unlike the parallel system in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, there are no alternative methods of entry; every prospective officer must pass the selection board and attend the College.