RAF Recruitment | Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity & Inclusion in the Royal Air Force

In the RAF we harness the power of difference to safeguard our nation.

A FORCE FOR INCLUSION

We recognise the value of a person’s ability no matter their ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender
identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or socio-economic background.

Inclusion is about valuing and harnessing people’s unique backgrounds, talents, perspectives and insights for the benefit of individuals and the organisation. We believe the talents and skills of individuals from different groups make for a more effective, resilient and tightly bonded RAF. Where there are specific eligibility criteria for entry (such as Medical or Nationality / Residency), these are listed on each role page.

The RAF is committed to promoting and developing equality, diversity and inclusion within the Service, you can read our policy and expectations in the links below.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The nature of the RAF means that we live and operate in close-knit communities where we rely on each other for support. The Royal Air Force family is rich in diversity and culture, and it is important that we value and respect everyone, regardless of their background.

To make sure everyone feels safe and included, we provide a range of services and support for those that may need them. This includes staff networks which play a crucial role in promoting change, role modelling, mentoring circles and coaching. We also provide specific support to those that would benefit:

WOMEN

The RAF is the first Service to open all roles to women and has the highest percentage of women compared to the other British Armed Forces. We are working hard to make sure that RAF is a place where everyone is treated equally. You can find out what life is like for women in the RAF in this series of videos below.

LGBTQ+

It’s been over 20 years since the ban of LGBTQ people in the forces were lifted. In that time members of the LGBTQ have entered the RAF in countless roles. There are LGBTQ networks on the majority of bases and the RAF regularly supports Pride marches across the UK.

DISABILITY

In the RAF we have an established disability network and offer a range of provisions dependent on individual needs. We understand that not all disabilities are visible.

RELIGION AND BELIEF

As long as your religious beliefs are legal and align with the RAF’s mission and don’t disrespect or compromise the safety of the team, you are free to practice any religion, or none. RAF Commissioned and Civil Service Chaplains are authorised leaders from the major world religions and provide pastoral and spiritual care for all personnel and their dependants irrespective of religious belief or status. Network support is available for both religious and non-denominational beliefs.

ETHNICITY

The UK is an eclectic mix of ethnicities and cultures, and we want the RAF to reflect the society which it serves. We understand that people’s history is important and we continue to review and adjust our uniform rules so that individuals can more easily express their cultural heritage within the forces.
We are constantly striving towards creating an environment that is welcoming and productive. Our open culture allows serving members speaking out about what we are doing right and where can improve. These conversations are an opportunity for the RAF to grow, change and become more inclusive.

TAKE YOUR NEXT STEP

There are plenty of roles to choose from in the RAF. The right one for you will depend on your passion, qualifications and skills. Discover some of our featured roles below.

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read our diversity and inclusion policies

Defence Diversity & Inclusion Strategy

RAF ETHOS, CORE VALUES & STANDARDS

Why join the RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

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Civilian Role

RAF Role

Rent from £75p/m
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Health care
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How do I find a role that’s right for me?

There are a number of ways to find a career path with the RAF. The Find Your Role section of the website will help guide you through roles that are right for your skills. Our recruitment centres (Armed Forces Careers Offices or AFCOs) are staffed with a friendly team who are ready to answer your questions and provide personal advice about which roles could suit you best, you can find your local centre here. Due to COVID restrictions we would recommend using our online chat function to speak to a member of staff live.

What training is available?

We offer training throughout your career with the RAF and this varies between roles. To find out more visit our Training and Development pages.

How often am I likely to be deployed abroad?

The likelihood of being deployed abroad depends on the career path you take. You can talk to our team to see what choice is right for you.

How is the RAF committed to diversity and inclusion?

In 2018 we set out a roadmap to become a force for inclusion, we treat everyone with respect and integrity. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion here and our ethos, core values and standards here.

Am I able to practice any religion in the RAF?

As long as your religious beliefs are legal and align with the RAF’s mission and don’t disrespect or compromise the safety of the team, you are free to practice any religion. RAF Commissioned Chaplains are authorised leaders from the major world religions and provide pastoral and spiritual care for all personnel and their dependants irrespective of religious belief or status.