Naval Service (Marine Engineer) Cadet

What is a Naval Service Marine Engineer Cadet?

The Marine Engineer Cadet will be trained fill an appointment as a ship’s Marine Engineering Officer. The Engineering Officer is responsible for everything that keeps a ship afloat, moving and habitable. This includes the hull and general structures of the ship, its main engines and all auxiliary machinery, the main electrical generators, the electrical distribution system, the air conditioning, ventilation, heating systems and cold rooms, as well as all fuel and water systems, including the control systems.

The Marine Engineer Cadet will undergo a course of training of approximately twenty-one months duration. Initial training takes place in the Cadet School, Military College, DFTC, Curragh Camp and is of approximately three months duration. Subsequent training takes place in the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co Cork and aboard ship. This training encompasses both the theory and practical application of the skills required for the officer to take their place as a fully functional member of the ships command team. Subjects covered include Navigation, Seamanship, Gunnery, Leadership and Management.

A Marine Engineer Cadet shall, on successful completion of the relevant course of training, be commissioned on a 3 year Short Service Commission in the rank of Ensign or Sub-Lieutenant. After commissioning, training continues both at sea and ashore until the Officer is fully qualified to take an appointment as a Marine Engineer Officer on-board ship.

When fully qualified as a Marine Engineering Officer, they may be offered a full Commission without limitation as to time.

The fully trained Junior Officer spends the following years on sea/shore rotations. When at sea, they will be appointed as the ship’s Engineering Officer, while shore duties involve training or technical/administrative appointments. The Engineering Officer can avail of opportunities of further education as well as participating in a range of specialist courses applicable to the Marine Engineering profession at home or abroad.

Eligibility Requirements to join the Cadetship:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age and under 39 years of age on closing date of application: you will be required to provide proof of your age if you progress to the next stage of the competition.
• You must be at least 5ft 2in (157.48cm) in height to be eligible. You will be measured during the selection process.
• No tattoos are to be visible above the collar while serving at the Defence Forces. This will be checked during the selection process and you may not proceed if you have visible tattoos above your collar.
• Applicants must meet the working permit eligibility criteria to serve as part of the Defence Forces. i.e. You must have a minimum of 5 years eligibility to stay in Ireland. You will be requested to provide proof of working permit on your application.
• Must meet medical, physical and security clearance standards in which will be assessed during the recruitment process.
• Education Qualification: School Leaver or Non-Graduate Candidates
• Must possess a minimum of Grade H5 in 3 Higher Level papers and, Grade 04 in 3 Ordinary Level Papers or Grade H6 in 3 Higher level papers. (Candidates must have obtained these grades in a single sitting of the Leaving Certificate examination for CAO computation purposes).

(i) Mathematics: Must include a minimum of Grade H4 Higher Level Paper OR a H4 in Applied Maths plus a H5 in Maths.

(ii) Irish: Minimum Grade O6 in an Ordinary Level paper or Grade H6 in a Higher Level paper. NUI matriculation exemptions apply.

(iii) English. Minimum Grade O6 in an Ordinary Level paper or Grade H6 in a Higher Level paper. Candidates whose first language is not English must satisfy the English language requirements in accordance with NUI Matriculations Regulations.

Candidates must have achieved the minimum requirements to commence Marine Engineering in the NMCI (e.g. 227 CAO Points in 2026). Candidates who have achieved the minimum requirements to commence Mechanical Engineering in MTU (e.g. 466 CAO Points in 2026) will commence this course of training instead.

Candidates must also have attained a minimum of Grade H5 in 3 Higher Level papers and, a minimum of Grade O4 in 3 Ordinary Level or Grade H6 in 3 Higher Level papers, a candidate may use the results of another sitting of the Leaving Certificate for the minimum educational requirements in (i) to (iii) above.

A School Leaver applicant who has undertaken / is undertaking a Marine Engineering Level 7 of the NHQ, may be facilitated in continuing their training to complete an engineering programme in Marine Engineering at Level 7 of the NFQ in a college nominated by the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service.

Where a School Leaver applicant has undertaken / is undertaking a Level 8 NFQ qualification not specified above, they may seek a determination that the course of study meets the requirements subject to submitting suitable evidence of equivalence to Defence Forces Recruitment Section, Defence Forces Headquarters, Department of Defence, Station Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, W12 AD93, for the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service’s determination.

• Graduate Candidates: Must have successfully completed a Bachelor Degree programme at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications. OR have successfully completed a Bachelor Degree programme at Level 7 of the National Framework of Qualifications, from a recognised institution, in Marine Engineering.

For detailed information about the Cadetship, please refer to the Terms and Conditions attached to this advertisement