PN - and for BRNC on a SCC/MCC the same applied - five O-levels inc Maths and English - only GL (no aircrew option on joining) had to have A-levels.
SL shags could join at 17 and six months too. There were several RN FJ carrier-deck qual'd drivers, airframe who were 20 on receipt of their ticket, though that was long before my time, sadly.
And there was no pre-joining fitness test (does that apply to the light blue, yet?), and smoking was nearly compulsory
