JOINING THE RAF

WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN THE RAF

The RAF offers exciting and fulfilling careers, with huge opportunities for training, development and career progression.

You can join as a regular (full-time) or as a reserve (part-time).

Regular (full-time)

Career progression, training, travel and incredible friendships all make a career in the RAF like no other. We have a wide range of roles to match different skills and interests.

Reserve (part-time)

Serving alongside regulars in the UK and overseas, reserves take on the challenges and adventures of life in the RAF, while balancing other careers and home life.

Officer

To join the RAF as an officer, you need A-level (or equivalent) qualifications or a university degree, depending on the role. As an officer, you need strong leadership and management skills, as you will be responsible for the welfare and discipline of the people under your command.

Enlisted aviator

The majority of RAF personnel are enlisted aviators, bringing their specialist skills and expertise to vital ground and support roles. Expert training and support will be provided by the RAF to help you support out mission – skills which are also applicable in the civilian world. You do not need any specific qualifications.

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

To join the RAF, you need to meet certain eligibility criteria. These vary across different roles. In principle, to join as a regular you must meet these requirements:

Age

You must be aged between 16 and 54-years-old to join the RAF. However, you can start your application when you are 15-years-old.

Nationality

Requirements for nationality and residency are different depending on which role you apply for. British Citizens born in the UK typically meet these requirements automatically.

Qualifications

We have an exciting range of roles. Some of these require no qualifications or are offered as apprenticeships. Others require GCSEs or A-levels (or equivalents) while some roles require university degrees or other specialist qualifications.

You also need to pass a medical test, meet fitness standards and pass a selection interview. Some roles require you to pass a swimming test or might require a driving licence.

Sickle Cell Trait

We are now required to screen all candidates for Sickle Cell Trait.
You will be sent a family origin questionnaire to fill in after you apply. This will show whether you need a blood test to check your sickle cell trait status.

If you have sickle cell trait is unlikely to stop you from joining the RAF. You can find out more about Sickle Cell Trait on the NHS website.
It is important to note that you should wait to be screened for Sickle Cell Trait before starting military fitness training if you consider you are at risk of having this condition. Please discuss your ongoing physical training for your general health with your GP.

TOO YOUNG TO APPLY?

Try Virtual Work Experience

Are you aged 14-18 and want to find out more about the Royal Air Force? Virtual work experience provider Springpod has a whole section on the RAF. You can hear from the Chief of the Air Staff and his top commanders, learn about our aircraft and roles, and test your RAF knowledge with fun quizzes and interactive challenges to earn certificates you can share on social. Find out more and sign up here.

View Springpod website

APPLICATION PROCESS

Joining the RAF takes several steps designed to give you the chance to show us all the skills and experience you have and gauge if you’re the right person for the RAF.

Depending on the role, the application process takes place over 6 or 7 steps for officers and full-time enlisted aviators. Reserves and specialist roles have a slightly different process. You can get an overview of the process by selecting one of the buttons below.

Enlisted Aviators Officers Reserves

MAKING A SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION

Below is information to help you on the application journey, from making sure you meet the eligibility criteria, right through to your first day of training. There can be several reason why an application fails.

Applications are not completed

Make sure you continue you application using the link above or in the email you have been sent. The sooner your application is complete, the sooner we can progress to the next stage.

Only uploading your most recent or highest qualification

Upload all of your qualifications and exam certificates. For example, if you have a degree, you still need to upload your A-level and GCSE certifications.

Missing further communications

We sometimes need to get in contact and emails might end up in your junk folder. Please check regularly so you do not miss any communications.

Not meeting the Nationality and Residency Requirements

You must meet these requirements to join the RAF. Requirements for Nationality & Residency are different depending which role you apply for. Please check on the specific role page (use the search feature in the top menu to find your role). In general:

The Nationality and Residency requirements are the foundation of obtaining the necessary security clearance. The nationalities of your spouse or partner, and parents, are also taken into account among other factors.

There will be further pre-employment checks and you will be expected to achieve the security clearance of Security Check (SC).

Employment restrictions may be imposed in the future if you are unable to achieve an increased security clearance requirement for selected placements.

Security Vetting and Nationality Considerations

RAF security policies are subject to ongoing review, which may impact the eligibility of individuals with dual nationality or direct connections to certain countries to obtain the minimum required level of security vetting. Security vetting is a mandatory requirement for all RAF personnel.

Applicants are welcome to proceed with their application to join the RAF; however, it is important to understand that permanent employment is contingent upon successfully obtaining the appropriate level of security vetting for the chosen role.

If it is determined that an applicant’s nationality or connections may prevent the granting of the required clearance, this could result in the rejection of the application. Additionally, restrictions may apply to the roles available to individuals based on nationality or dual nationality concerns, as outlined by UK government policy.

Not meeting the minimum fitness requirements

You must be physically robust to join the RAF. If you are worried about your physical fitness, now is a good time to start getting in shape. There are helpful guides and a training plan on our Fitness pages.