RAF Recruitment | Weapons System Operator Linguist

WEAPON SYSTEM OPERATOR

(LINGUIST)

Currently recruiting

Aircraft Being creative Analysis & maths

INITIAL ANNUAL PAY

£25,200+

+ Benefits

ANNUAL PAY AFTER SPECIALIST TRAINING - THIS COULD TAKE AROUND TWO YEARS

£47,200+

+ Benefits

As a Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist) you will be fluent in two or more languages and will monitor, collect and analyse foreign-language voice transmissions and offer intelligence support.

Apply as a Regular

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What will you do?

You’ll need to use your initiative, prioritising information and producing tactical reports for military commanders. Your role will include:

Interpreting foreign transmissions in real time
Providing up-to-date intelligence to military commanders
Flying several missions a week from the base in Lincolnshire
Flying from a Deployed Operating Base overseas

Minimum education requirements

You will need a minimum of 3 GCSEs (or acceptable equivalents inc Functional Skills L2) at Grade C/4 or above, in English Language, Mathematics and a modern Foreign Language or 3 Scottish National 5 (Grades A – C) in English Language, Mathematics and a modern Foreign Language.

Requirements

Be aged 17.5 – 32 (Must attest before 33rd birthday)
You will need to meet specific Nationality and Residency criteria. Please see full details in the Entry Requirements section below
Commit to minimum 12 years service
Pass the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (CBAT)
Pass a Fitness test - Details below
Undertake a swimming test in training - see below

View all details in the Entry Requirements section below.

CAREER, TRAINING

& EDUCATION

At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.

Phase one training

Basic Recruit training

10 weeks

RAF Halton

Your career will start with the Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.

Phase one training

Direct entry Sergeants training

8 weeks

RAF Halton

Following Basic Recruit Training, prospective Weapon Systems Operators will complete the Direct Entrant Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (DE SNCO) Course.

Phase two training

Military Aviation Ground School

5 weeks

RAF Cranwell

The DE SNCO course is followed by a 5.2 week Military Aviation Ground School (MAGS) course at RAFC Cranwell.

Phase two training

Specialist training

18 months

Chicksands

You’ll undergo intensive language training at Chicksands in Bedfordshire or Shrivenham in Wiltshire.

First tour

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

You will be posted to a flying station in the UK.

Your career prospects

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

You will join the RAF as an airman under an initial 12 year engagement.

Training and Education

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

As a Linguist, you will have opportunities for further professional development throughout your career.

In-service degree

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

An In-service degree for Aircrew is available for some roles.

Transferable skills

Development

Ongoing

As assigned

As your career progresses, we will continue to train, mentor and grow your skills in leadership, instructional and specialist areas.

WHY JOIN

THE RAF?

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

Rent from £75p/m

Free gym

Subsidised food

Health care

World travel

Training

View all benefits

WHAT HAPPENS

AFTER APPLYING

Joining the RAF takes several steps. Below is an overview of the process. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.

Aptitude tests

Selection interviews

Health Assessment

Fitness test

OASC

Acceptance

Training

Aptitude tests

Stage 1 of 7

The first step in the application process is a series of Computer Based Aptitude Tests (CBAT). These tests ensure we match the right candidate to the right role. They take place over one day at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, and measure your ability to perform specific tasks such as:

How well you respond physically to visual information
Your ability to interpret information in two dimensions and devise a three-dimensional solution
Your ability to complete several tasks simultaneously
Your natural abilities, including deductive reasoning, spatial reasoning, work rate and concentration, and verbal and numerical reasoning

Selection interviews

Stage 2 of 7

Selection interviews help us get to know you a little better. You’ll get to show your skills and experience, and we’ll answer any questions you have about joining the RAF.

Your interview will take place at a local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) and cover the following topics:

Family life
Education
Work experience
Special interests or hobbies
Interest in the RAF
Training
The role you’ve applied for
The RAF

You will be asked a series of standard questions during the interview, and be able to ask your own questions during the debrief that takes place afterward.

Some roles also require a second interview and/or test to determine your suitability. These are normally conducted over a one to three day period at an RAF base where you can see and experience the kind of environment you’ll be working in. Details about which interviews are relevant for you will be provided during the application process.

Health Assessment

Stage 3 of 7

You’re legally required to meet certain medical standards, and must pass an occupational health assessment to show you’re fit for military duty. As part of this assessment we will check your overall health, focusing on areas like hearing, eyesight and body mass index.

We’ll also investigate any past illnesses and screen for health issues that may prevent you from carrying out your role. View details below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet.

Fitness test

Stage 4 of 7

A good level of fitness is critical to joining the RAF, it’s also something that must be maintained throughout your career. You’ll need to complete a Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFC). This will take place at a local gym near to you, and is a 2.4km run.

The performance level you’ll need to meet differs by age and gender. You can also find help, and a training plan, to assist you in your preparation here.

OASC

Stage 5 of 7

This will be your second visit to the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre. OASC lasts one day, but you will arrive the day before. During this time the officers will be assessing your leadership, teamwork, communication, motivation, and problem solving.

The day will end with an interview. The first half of the interview covers your achievements at school and college, in sports, your community, at work, and as a cadet, scout or guide.

The second half explores your motivation for joining the RAF – what you know about current affairs and the RAF’s role in the national and international arena, current operations the RAF is involved in and your knowledge about the RAF and the role you've applied for.

Acceptance

Stage 6 of 7

Once you’ve successfully completed each phase of the application process you’ll be invited to a provisional offer of service interview at your nearest AFCO.

This is to ensure that you understand the terms and conditions of service in the RAF, are fully committed to joining, and prepared to commence training.

Training

Stage 7 of 7

Basic Recruit Training

This takes place over 10 weeks at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. It will make you fitter and more confident. It will challenge you mentally and physically, and it will prepare you for your career with us. There are 6 phases:

Arrival - You’ll be sworn into the RAF and be given a service number
General Service training - You’ll learn about marching, drills, core values and our code of conduct
Initial Force Protection training - Fighting and survival in a military environment
Exercise Blue Warrior - 4 days in the field with real battle conditions
Force development training - Apply your skills in new environments with adventurous training activities
Graduation - Learn about what’s required in your first post and display your new skills.

What next?
Now you’re a fully-fledged member of the RAF you can receive role specific training.

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

You must be aged between 17.5 and 32 years old. (Must attest before 33rd birthday).

Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

You will need a minimum of 3 GCSEs (or acceptable equivalents inc Functional Skills L2) at Grade C/4 or above, in English Language, Mathematics and a modern Foreign Language or 3 Scottish National 5 (Grades A – C) in English Language, Mathematics and a modern Foreign Language.

If your qualifications are not listed, or you do not have any qualifications, please Contact Us to learn more about how you can join the Royal Air Force.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

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. This will be established during the selection process.

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 Developed Vetting (DV).

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

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. Every candidate's fitness levels are tested 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 a 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)

How fit you need to be to pass this test varies on age and gender. The PJFT requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MEN
AGE	2.4 Km Run
	(Mins)
15-16	13.52
17-29	13.20
30-34	13.49
35-39	14.14
40-44	14.46
45-49	15.17
50-54	15.53

WOMEN
AGE	2.4 Km Run
	(Mins)
15-16	16.22
17-29	15.48
30-34	16.14
35-39	16.44
40-44	17.22
45-49	17.57
50-54	18.34

See here for more information about a training plan

RAF SWIMMING TEST

To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 metres without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool.

All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

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

Calculate your BMI here

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.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST

Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
Achieve the minimum Security Clearance of Developed Vetting (DV) for this role

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

Have been or are 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:

Serving personnel can wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).

Usually, candidates are to be clean shaven when being fitted for their respirators in Phase One training, however other methods of creating a clean seal can be advised if this is not possible due to religious reasons.

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.

APPLY

NOW

Got what it takes? Start your application here.

Apply as a Regular