JUNIOR OFFICER TOURS

As a Junior Officer (JO) you will lead across the Military Air Environment and signals/cyber domain. This includes managing the maintenance of aircraft, systems or equipment on flying stations (with several squadrons of aircraft) or on other delivery stations which provide non-flying equipment capabilities such as communications operations, explosives maintenance and support equipment.

You will be operationally focused, leading teams of skilled non-commissioned officers and technicians, managing and directing their work as well as looking after their welfare with each posting lasting typically 2-3 years.

After EOFT(CE), your foundation tour is likely to either be in support of an RAF station’s mission-critical information systems and services, or to 90 Signals Unit, our hub of excellence for Communications Information Systems – including elements that deploy bespoke communications solutions in support of exercises and overseas operations.

To broaden you as an officer, regardless of your AS or CE specialization you will also be encouraged to become involved in wider station activities, typically as the Officer in charge of a club or society, or in furthering the engineering profession for example by becoming a STEM Ambassador.

YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS

Within your first or second tours, you will automatically be promoted to Flight Lieutenant and given extra responsibility.  As your career progresses you will have the opportunity to work in a variety of different roles and environments; this may range from working within the headquarters of the RAF, or Permanent Joint Headquarters Northwood, planning and supporting overseas operations through to working in Defence Intelligence and being immersed in classified intelligence communities understanding their communication needs.  Roles also include providing RADAR systems to generate the Recognised Air Picture, which allows Air Traffic Control and Aerospace Battlespace Managers to track aircraft over the UK and areas of operation overseas, or providing platform-specific IT systems essential for the maintenance and support of our fourth and fifth generation aircraft.

ONGOING DEVELOPMENT

You will have all the personal development opportunities and career prospects of your civilian counterparts - and possibly more - together with the chance to work around the world, gaining unique engineering experiences in the process. As well as RAF training packages and courses linked to outside professional bodies, we actively support individual study programmes at every level. You could have opportunities to take on Masters’ degree courses, either full-time or part-time in one of 50 paid for courses while you remain on full salary. We have special agreements with the major Professional Engineering Institutions to attain Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer professional status and we will pay for the associated membership fees. 

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Much of our in-house training is accredited and/or recognised by external awarding bodies.  For engineers, we encourage and have developed a streamlined route with various Professional Engineering Institutes for those looking to obtain their Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

There are numerous opportunities for both professional and personal development throughout your career; this may be an MSc/MBA from the Defence Academy at Shrivenham, using your Standard or Enhanced Learning Credits for courses which are of benefit to the RAF, or – if your specific role requires – a year’s Master’s degree at a UK university in a specialist topic.  Furthermore, as you are promoted you will receive further leadership and management training to match your responsibilities.