Swap to Maintenance or Manufacturing or go back to all job sectors
Royal Air Force (RAF) officers manage teams of airmen and airwomen. They also carry out flying duties or work in specialist ground support.
You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home
Your day-to-day duties will depend on your job. You could:
You could work in a warzone or at a military base.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and physically and emotionally demanding.
You can get into this job through:
You can join the RAF Reserve as a part-time officer. This will give you experience of what life is like in the air force, and you'll learn new skills at the same time.
You'll need to:
If you're between 13 and 18 years old, you can join the Air Cadets.
You'll visit RAF bases and develop some of the skills you'll need in the RAF recruitment process.
You can apply directly for RAF officer training.
You'll need a minimum of:
If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to someone at your local armed forces careers office about what you want to do. You'll also take an aptitude test.
If you're successful, you'll be invited to attend the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF College, Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You'll take part in a 3-day selection process which includes tests for aptitude, initiative and fitness. You'll then have an interview and a medical examination.
You'll need to:
You'll find more details about how to become an officer through RAF Careers.
With experience, you could move up the ranks, for example from pilot officer to flying officer, then flight lieutenant or higher.
You could go into a wide range of careers once you leave the RAF. Your career choices will depend on your skills, training and qualifications you've developed during your service.
The Career Transition Partnership, Quest and Troops to Teachers have more information on careers outside the armed forces.