As an RAF Regiment Gunner, you will specialise in combat tactics, weaponry, fieldcraft and force protection. You will be part of a highly trained team carrying out a range of crucial duties to defend RAF bases and overseas air operations.
Don't limit yourself. You can apply for more than one position and we can help you find the right role.
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Already applied? See what the next steps in the application process are below.
You’ll be responsible for providing force protection to enable and support air operations, and contributing to defence of airfields in the UK and overseas. In your role you could:
- Provide forward air control and ground combat support in deployed operations
- Train other RAF personnel in defensive military skills
- Support various Special Forces units
- Become a specialist in dismounted close combat tactics
- Operate a wide variety of weapon systems as well as state-of-the-art surveillance systems
- Be involved in State Ceremonies
As an RAF Regiment Gunner, you will specialise in combat tactics, weaponry, fieldcraft and force protection. You will be part of a highly trained team carrying out a range of crucial duties to defend RAF bases and overseas air operations.
Don't limit yourself. You can apply for more than one position and we can help you find the right role.
You can view and manage favourites here.
Already applied? See what the next steps in the application process are below.
RAF Regiment Reservists supports the regular force and are involved in a wide range of Force Protection to RAF assets at home or deployed on operations or exercises. In your role you will work on:
- Patrolling
- Quick Reaction Force
- Flight Line security
- Station security Force
- Becoming part of a Combined Incident Team
- Providing Military Aid to Civilian Authority
- No formal qualifications required
- You will undertake functional Skills (FS) Level 1 qualifications in English and Mathematics during your Phase 2 specialist training course.
- No formal qualifications required
- Be aged 16 – 47 (Must attest before 48th birthday) Applications can be submitted from age 15 years and 9 months
- Must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status)
- Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
- Pass a Fitness test - Details below
- Be aged 18-54 Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 6 months in order to attest before 55th birthday Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis
- Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with indefinite leave to remain immigration status)
- Commit 27 days per year
- Meet the health and fitness criteria
- Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.
You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.
You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum. Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.
You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.
Must be aged between 16 and 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday). Applications can be submitted from age 15 years and 9 months.
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.
NATIONALITY
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth (with ‘right to work’ immigration status).
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.
Applicants for the Regiment Gunner role will do both the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) AND the Regt Fitness test on the Potential Gunner Selection Course (PGSC). All fitness elements are done on the Potential Gunner Selection Course at RAF Honington.
The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) 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 |
The Potential Gunner Selection Course (PGSC) is a three day course and includes the following:
- RAF Regiment Applicant Selection Test (RAST)
- 2 Km/1.25 mile run: PTI led 500m warm up to be completed within 5 mins. Followed by the 2km/1.25 mile individual best effort test. Candidates are to complete this test in 9:30 minutes or under.
- Medicine Ball Throw: Complete a throw of a Medicine Ball weighing 4kg, in a seated position, to a distance of 3.1m. Candidates are allowed 3 attempts only. The best scored is to be recorded. All throws count as an attempt- there are no practice throws. The test is complete once a candidate achieves 3.1m or uses all 3 attempts. Candidates will be graded Pass/Fail.
- Static Deadlift: A Mid-Thigh Pull (static deadlift) of 95 kg. Candidates are allowed 3 attempts at this test and the best score will be recorded. The first pull is a range finder/practice.
These are the minimum standards required; candidates are expected to put maximum effort into each event.
To get ready for the fitness tests for the RAF Regt you can follow this fitness programme here.
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
Must be aged 18-54. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 6 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of a dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen from birth (with indefinite leave to remain immigration status).
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.
Commonwealth citizens require a minimum of 5 years residency in the UK prior to application.
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 |
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 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.