I am Lt Jane Bowker and am currently an Officer of the Watch onboard HMS Richmond. I'm delighted you are considering a career as a Warfare Officer in the Royal Navy and hope the following information provides a brief insight to our life.

I'm afraid I can not really give you a "typical day" as every day is completely different.

After three years of training I am now in my first job onboard a frigate as an Officer of the Watch. Prior to this Warfare Officers complete one year training at BRNC Dartmouth, a further six months training on board a RN vessel to learn "the ropes" and how a ship carries out its business, and finally six months Specialist Fleet time, where you will be appointed to a ship to learn the trade.

In your case this would involve keeping watches on the bridge, and working closely with the navigator to learn how the ship manoeuvres, how to use stars to navigate and how to de-conflict shipping and get the ship from A to B, among of course the other things that are included in our daily life such as circuits on the flight deck, entertainment in the wardroom and getting to know the ship and her people which is considered our most important role onboard.

As a brief example my roles onboard are my watches on the bridge and training to maintain my professional knowledge, my role as a divisional officer (I have eight young men in my division and am there to give them both personal and professional guidance), Church Officer, I ensure church takes place on Sundays when the ship is at sea while there is not a chaplain embarked.

I am currently Assistant Meteorology Officer to the Pilot as this is what I would like to specialise in, and I also oversee our Welfare package, which involves ensuring ship's company receive their 20 minute entitlement to telephone home each week, magazines and newspapers, and a regular whole-ship letter to families keeping them updated on news during the deployment.

As you can see each role is totally different but ensures my day is busy and varied.

I will not pretend that the job is not very demanding. You will often work long hours and be expected to do things that are completely new to you. However if done properly the job is both rewarding and very satisfying. There are a wealth of opportunities once you join, I for example spent seven months onboard a French Naval training vessel, there are positions onboard sail training vessels, exchanges with foreign navies and lots of sporting opportunities.

Once you have completed your initial training you may specialise if you wish. The possibilities are Mine Clearance Diver (for males only I'm afraid), Ship’s Diver, Pilot or Observer (if you didn't join up as Flight in the first place), Fighter controller, HM (Hydrography/Meteorology) or Mine Warfare Officer. Alternatively you can remain an Officer of the Watch then proceed on to Navigator and Principal Warfare Officer. All are super jobs it's just finding the right one for you.

I hope this has been of some help. You must now decide if the Navy is for you and if so you must prepare yourself thoroughly for the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB). This involves examinations in maths, English grammar, aptitude and then some physical tasks. It is a lot of fun so enjoy it and be confident and I am sure you will do well.