There is also the opportunity to gain a £6000 University Bursary. Details can be found here.
*Until at least you have completed one year of service and successfully completed Professional Workplace Assessments on first posting.
Please note the role may be listed as Intelligence Analyst (Voice) within your application form.
As an RAF Intelligence Analyst (Linguist), you will interpret foreign language transmissions using state-of-the-art surveillance systems, providing vital intelligence to support military forces deployed around the world.
Already applied? See what the next steps are >
You’ll be working within a highly trained team, focused on providing timely intelligence to military forces deployed on operations around the world. In your role you will:
- Collect, collate and evaluate intelligence from multiple sources
- Monitor and analyse radio and electronic transmissions broadcast throughout the world
- Gather valuable information about enemies strengths, weaknesses and movements
- Disseminate tailored intelligence to commanders, aircrew or troops on the ground
- Have the opportunity to act as an interpreter for troops on the ground
- Learn at least one foreign language to a high degree of proficiency
- As a minimum, you need to have GCSEs at grade C/4 or Scottish National 5s at grade C in English Language and Mathematics.
- Be aged 17.5 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
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Be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth (not naturalised) and must never have held any other nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) with the exception of dual British Irish citizenship. Immediate family must be British citizens/nationals.
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Commit to minimum 3 years post specialist training
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Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
- Pass a fitness test
You could have a hidden ability for intelligence analysis.
Check your Sound Skills to find out.
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
Must be aged 17.5 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.
NATIONALITY
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth (not naturalised) and must never have held any other nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) with the exception of dual British Irish citizenship. Immediate family must be British citizens/nationals.
RESIDENCY
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 10 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 7 years may be considered.
If you have resided abroad for a period due to work or study, you may still be eligible on a case by case basis. Please continue this registration and proceed to your full application.
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively.
As part of the application process you will need to do the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT), which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:
- 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
- Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
- Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds
How fit you need to be to pass this test can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).
MEN | |||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 12.39 | 20 | 35 |
17-29 | 12.11 | 20 | 35 |
30-34 | 12.36 | 19 | 32 |
35-39 | 13.02 | 18 | 29 |
40-44 | 13.30 | 17 | 26 |
45-49 | 14.00 | 16 | 23 |
50-54 | 14.34 | 15 | 20 |
WOMEN | |||
AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
(Mins) | (No.) | (No.) | |
15-16 | 14.59 | 10 | 32 |
17-29 | 14.30 | 10 | 32 |
30-34 | 14.55 | 9 | 29 |
35-39 | 15.21 | 8 | 26 |
40-44 | 15.58 | 7 | 23 |
45-49 | 16.32 | 6 | 20 |
50-54 | 17.06 | 5 | 17 |
See here for more information about the test and a training plan
Candidates joining the RAF must be medically fully fit, both physically and psychologically, to meet the challenges of military service, during which they will be expected to deploy, potentially at short notice, to locations world-wide that are remote from established medical care.
Certain medical conditions could preclude entry to the RAF. Further details can be found in this document.
Before your application, please note that Body Mass Index Requirements are as follows:
Age | Male and female minimum | Male and female maximum | Male maximum with additional assessment | Female maximum with additional assessment |
18 + | 18 | 30 | 32 | 32 |
16 to < 18 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.
If you are unsure about any health criteria, please continue your application and your eligibility will be assessed at the medical examination stage.
During your application, the Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
YOU MUST:
- Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
- Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
- Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
- Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
- Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
- Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
- Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive.
Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). - Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
- Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt
Beard Policy: A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm). The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.