As an Air Operations Systems officer you could be working from a field, a bunker, a building, a tent, an E-7 Wedgetail aircraft or even on an aircraft carrier.
Already applied? See what the next steps are >
You will be responsible for directing and supporting operations both in the UK and around the world, using sophisticated radar and communications technology to provide organisations with the information needed to make time-critical decisions. In your role you will:
- Create the recognised air picture, identifying all aircraft flying over the UK and monitor any suspicious air activity
- Be part of the team that provides the Army, and other services, with air situational awareness
- Run airfield operations in the central ops room ensuring that all flying programmes run smoothly and on time
- Task planning and coordination of a flying squadron to make sure operations run smoothly
- Negotiate with foreign partners to access international airspace
- Coordinate all UK armed forces for advance planning of an overseas deployment
- Monitor foreign surveillance satellites and highlight potential enemy action and espionage
- Track what’s happening in space, from space debris to the International Space Station
- Be part of the team that operates the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, detecting and reporting any object that could threaten the UK, or our allies
- As a minimum, you will need GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language, Maths and at least three other subjects.
- In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points.
- Be aged 17.5 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
- You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality
- Commit to a minimum of 3 years post Phase 2 Specialist Training
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
24 weeks
RAF Cranwell
28/30 weeks
RAF Shawbury
24 months
As assigned
Ongoing
As assigned
Ongoing
As assigned
Ongoing
As assigned
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
You must be aged between 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.
Have these minimum grades:
| GCSE pre-2017 | GCSE 2017 and after | Scottish national 5 | |
| Mathematics | C | Grade 4 | C |
| English Language | C | Grade 4 | C |
| Three Other Subjects | C | Grade 4 | C |
In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points.
Or, if you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher (or acceptable alternative), you only need Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of GCSE Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 grade C.
You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.
NATIONALITY
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality.
RESIDENCY
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 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.
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.
The first of these is 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 these tests 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 tests and a training plan
The second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This includes press-ups, sit-ups and the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test). Standards to achieve will be given during the visit.
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.
