Royal Air Force Officer

RAF officers are part of the service that guards the airspace of the UK and other areas of the world where the UK has an active role. They are responsible for leading and managing non-commissioned personnel on bases at home and overseas, either in a flying role or in any of the numerous support services on which pilots depend. Among the 20 different specialisations for RAF officers, pilots and weapons systems officers (navigators) are employed almost exclusively in flying during the early part of their careers, although they may later combine flying with ground duties.

Other specialisms include fighter controllers, who use radar and other communications systems to monitor the UK air defence region and direct fighters to intercept unknown aircraft, air traffic controllers, RAF Regiment officers, flight operations officers, intelligence officers, aerosystems engineers, communications and electronics engineers and supply officers. There are also officers responsible for moving freight and people, specialists in personnel, accounting and estate management, training officers, catering officers, physical education officers, provost/security officers, nursing officers, medical and dental officers, legal officers and chaplains.

Entry level
To become an RAF officer, you need to be at least 17½ and below the upper age limit specified for each branch or specialisation. You must also have been since birth a citizen of the UK, the Republic of Ireland or a country that was a member of the Commonwealth at the time.

Having met these requirements, you have to pass a series of selection tests held at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. The selection procedure lasts three days and includes aptitude tests, practical initiative tests, fitness tests, interviews and a medical.

While some 40% of applicants are graduates, you would need at least two A levels/AH grades/three H grades or equivalent and five GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3) including English language and maths, to be considered for basic entry. Some specialisms require a professional qualification or recognised degree.

You can apply for a permanent or short service commission. The former usually means being an officer to the age of 38 or for 16 years from age 21; the latter can be from three to 12 years, depending on your specialism.

Making the grade
Most new officer recruits start with the 24-week Initial Officer Training course at RAF Cranwell, which includes defence studies and general RAF service knowledge. You would develop a high level of physical fitness on the course, and have classroom lectures and practical exercises to develop your leadership and management skills. You would then progress, as a newly commissioned officer, to specialist training in your chosen branch.

Personal qualities
You would need excellent leadership and team-working skills, with the ability to accept responsibility, make decisions and manage large groups of people. Being an RAF officer would also involve communicating with people of all abilities, explaining ideas, giving spoken and written instructions and motivating others. You must be physically fit and prepared to travel anywhere in the world.

Each branch has its own additional requirements. You would need, for example, an aptitude for operating high-tech equipment, together with the ability to think and react quickly, as a pilot, navigator, fighter controller or air traffic controller. Ground intelligence officers need analytical skills and a wide general knowledge; engineer officers must be logical, analytical and practically minded; supply officers need to be methodical, with a flair for organisation; RAF Regiment officers must have outstanding physical fitness, good judgement and communication skills, and the ability to think and react quickly in any situation.

Looking ahead
There are more than 9,000 officers in the RAF and around 700 to 800 are recruited each year. Competition for places is fierce.

As a non-graduate entrant, you might spend about a year as an acting pilot officer, followed by a year as a substantive pilot officer, and up to four years as a flying officer, before being promoted to flight lieutenant, provided your service is satisfactory. As a graduate entrant, you would normally follow a faster promotion system up to the rank of flight lieutenant. Promotion beyond flight lieutenant to squadron leader, wing commander, group captain and above is usually by competitive selection.

Alternative suggestions
If your main interest is in flying, you might also consider specific options as an Army or Royal Navy officer or as a civil airline pilot. Alternative ideas linked with aviation include air traffic controller or aerospace engineer.

Take-home pay
Your starting rank and salary would depend on your type of entry and qualifications. As a guide, the starting salary in your first RAF posting as a flying officer would be at least £24,000. On promotion to flight lieutenant, your salary would be at least £30,000. Wing commanders can earn up to £60,000. Salaries are independently reviewed each year.

Aircrew are entitled to flying pay on top of their basic salary and various allowances can also be paid.

Effects
Officers need to be available for duty at all times but you would normally work office hours over a five-day week. However, the hours of work can include shifts, early starts, late finishes, and working at weekends and on public holidays. During exercises and operations, the hours can be long and unpredictable. Whilst serving on detachment, away from your home station, you can be separated from your family for several months at a time.

All RAF personnel are entitled to 30 days' paid holiday a year.

Sources of information
RAF Careers: www.rafcareers.com

CRCI: UA