Royal Air Force - Regular & Reserve

Intelligence Intelligence Officer CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Intelligence Officer, you obtain, analyse and present defence intelligence from a variety of sources and manage a team of Intelligence Analysts and Linguists.

Full-time regular Spare time reserve

Learn more about this role

Pay During Initial Officer Training + Six Months £28,860+ + Benefits

Pay Six Months Post IOT £34,690+ + Benefits

Apply as a Regular


DAY RATE STARTS AT: £72.46 + Benefits

Starts at £26,466.84 per year

Apply as a Reserve


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 17.5 – 47 (Must enter Initial Officer Training before 48th Birthday Upper age limit of 48 for Internal Commissioning Scheme)
  • Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in Maths and GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in three other subjects
  • 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. Alternatively, if you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher (or acceptable alternative) you only need Mathematics and English Language GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17) or Mathematics and English Language SCE Standard Grades of 2 or SNE Grade 5 (A-C)
  • You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British ,British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.
  • Must have resided in the UK for 7 years immediately preceding application
  • Parents/Spouse must currently have UK citizenship
  • Commit to a minimum of 12 years of service
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass a Fitness test - Details below

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Analysis and maths
  • Being creative
  • Helping people

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 18-54 Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis
  • Be qualified ex-military commissioned personnel
  • You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship
  • Commit 27 days per year
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Analysis and maths
  • Being creative
  • Gaming & Computers

Locations

502 Sqn, JHFS Aldergrove, Co Antrim
505 Sqn, RAF St Mawgan, Newquay (Ex-Regular only)
600 Sqn, RAF Northolt, Middlesex
602 Sqn, Glasgow, Scotland
607 Sqn, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire (No current vacancies)
611 Sqn, RAF Woodvale, Merseyside (Extremely limited vacancies)
614 Sqn, Cardiff, (Ex-Regular only)
7006 Sqn, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire (No current vacancies)
7006 Sqn, RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire (No current vacancies)
7010 Sqn, RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire (No current vacancies)
7010 Sqn, RAF Marham, Norfolk (No current vacancies)
7630 Sqn, RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire (No current vacancies)

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Provide intelligence updates and threat assessments to support operational planning
  • Provide intelligence support to aircrew before their missions
  • Lead teams of skilled intelligence analysts to provide Imagery or Signals intelligence

As an Intelligence Officer you could find yourself leading a team of highly motivated, bright and flexible men and women as part of a Royal Air Force unit or within the Joint Forces Command organisation. Your training will ensure that you are equipped to develop a range of products using the latest reporting from a variety of sources. These sources include imagery, signals, human, cyber and open-source intelligence.

Very quickly you will be responsible for collecting, collating and evaluating vast quantities of information to produce actionable reports and prepare threat assessments for current and future operations. You may then brief senior officers, planning or operations staff to influence matters of international significance. You could lead a team of analysts in the management and production of reports and assessment from satellite or aerial imagery, or the collection of complex signals in order to provide details on known or potential threats. Within your first few years you can expect to be deployed frequently overseas in various roles. This could include supporting a front line flying squadron or providing tactical mission and intelligence support.

Your job will take you to new locations and test you in different roles every few years, working alongside counterparts in the Royal Navy and the Army, or in a NATO Position. There are opportunities to work overseas, including Europe and the US. Whatever role you are employed in, your contribution will be vital to on-going or future operations around the world.

 

RAF Intelligence officer giving briefing on hostile aircraft identification.

RAF Reserve Intelligence Officers lead and manage Intelligence Analysts and are trained to develop a range of intelligence products. Very quickly you will be expected to perform to the same standards as your full-time RAF colleagues, making predictive assessments and delivering intelligence briefings on a wide range of subjects.

Your role could involve support to current Operational tasking at weekends alongside exercises and mobilisations in the UK and overseas. For example, you may be deployed to a HQ or a flying Sqn providing intelligence support to real operations.

You will have the opportunity to receive additional specialist training which will enable you to work in data science, imagery exploitation, space operations or cyber. Should you choose to work with Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) staff, you will be responsible for exploiting imagery, including real-time video from a range of sensors, to supply operational commanders on the ground with intelligence about enemy force movements and capabilities.

Suitably qualified and experienced RAF Reserve Intelligence Analysts (Int An) may consider applying for commissioning as Intelligence Officers or, alternatively, regular serving commissioned officers may choose to transfer into the RAF Reserve as Intelligence Officers.

RAF Intelligence officer giving briefing on hostile aircraft identification.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

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

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?

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.

  • Training
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Paid pension
  • Paid holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

You will begin your RAF career by completing the Initial Officer Training Course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will complete a challenging modular 24-week course, split into 4 distinct terms designed to develop your robustness, fitness, leadership and academic skills through

SPECIALIST TRAINING

You will then undertake a 22-week specialist training course at the Defence Intelligence Training Group, Chicksands, Bedfordshire. This course will teach you how to provide Operational Intelligence. You will be taught a breadth of subjects including: the components of intelligence work, different intelligence sources, various analytical techniques, the structure of air-defence systems, and the details of complex equipment that pose a threat to aircraft. By the end of the course you will be able to collect and evaluate relevant information and produce actionable intelligence, through both written reports and formal verbal briefings. You will be able to provide intelligence support to senior commanders and contribute to the planning of air operations and force protection of airbases. Your final exercise will test your ability to work within an Expeditionary Air Wing intelligence environment in a range of mutually supportive and varied intelligence roles, including that of a squadron intelligence officer.

More Details +

FOUNDATION TOUR

Your foundation tour will be at one of a range of military units and will focus on Operational Intelligence. You could be posted to any of the front-line RAF flying stations, where you would keep the squadrons, the station commander and station personnel aware of the latest threats. You could also be posted to the Joint Force Air Component Headquarters at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, or the Air and Space Intelligence Centre at RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire. Here you would provide threat assessments and intelligence updates on current operations and worldwide areas of concern to senior commanders and their planning staff.

You could undertake further training in:

  • Operational Intelligence, completing courses in air weapons employment, electronic warfare or air operations
  • Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance management
  • Targeting
  • Imagery Intelligence, completing the United Kingdom Imagery Analysis Course (UKIAC)
  • Signals or Human Intelligence
  • Cyber

YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS

You will join the RAF on an Initial Commission of 12 years and may be selected to serve on a pension-earning commission of 20 years or age 40; whichever is the latter during this time. Promotion to the rank of Flight Lieutenant will occur on a time served/satisfactory service basis 3½ years after completing IOT. Further promotion to Squadron Leader and above is by competitive selection.

ONGOING DEVELOPMENT

Initially you will move jobs every 2 years to develop your experience as an Intelligence Officer, and you should expect to deploy on operations regularly throughout your career. You could work in a range of employment areas which provide extensive opportunities for further professional and personal development throughout your career. Undergraduate and postgraduate degree schemes in Intelligence and Security or International Relations are affiliated to the Branch. You could also undertake further training and gain qualifications in Operational Intelligence, Targeting, Cyber, Electronic-Warfare, Space and Air Operations.
Further employment could involve a specialist discipline such as Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) management, imagery, signals or human intelligence. You will manage a team of RAF and other military and civilian Intelligence Analysts, producing intelligence reports in support of current operations and strategic decision-making.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The analytical and leadership skills as well as the experience you gain throughout your career as an Intelligence Officer, could equip you for a number of civilian jobs. These include jobs such as Police Inspector, Criminologist, or various roles within the Civil Service.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Experienced RAF Reserve Intelligence Analysts who are successful in applying for a Commission as an RAF Reserve Intelligence Officer will attend the Reserve Officer Initial Training (ROIT) Course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. The course lasts for 24 days delivered over 4 weekends and includes a 2-week Residential Phase. It is designed to develop your leadership and management skills. The course includes fitness development, military training and academic study, as well as practical outdoor leadership challenges.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

All RAF Reserve Intelligence Officers will complete the Operational Air Intelligence Course (Reserve) (OpAIC(R)) unless having already completed the course whilst serving as an RAF Reserve Intelligence Analyst. The OpAIC(R) is a 39-day course split over 12 months. It consists of 12 training weekends and a 15-day block at the Joint Intelligence Training Group (JITG), Chicksands in Bedfordshire.

The course is designed to train you as an intelligence analyst and gives you an understanding of the different sources of Intelligence, such as imagery intelligence and open source intelligence. The course also teaches the techniques for processing intelligence and the skills required to disseminate intelligence effectively, either through written or graphical means or by delivering an intelligence briefing. The course covers the roles of UK intelligence organisations and the RAF intelligence structure within the wider MOD. You will also learn about digital applications and research techniques.

More Details +

YOUR FUTURE

As an Intelligence Officer, you will have extensive opportunities for further professional development throughout your career. As well as leadership training, there are courses in security, weapons, targeting, electronic warfare and air operations – which you may undertake depending on the training you need to prepare for future Operational Deployments.  To broaden your personal development and expansion of professional knowledge, you will be actively encouraged to undertake further education and training.  The opportunity to move between different Int Reserve sqns and flts will also be encouraged to offer greater variety, experience and opportunities for career progression.

YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS

You will initially join the RAuxAF for a period of 12 years. Promotion to the rank of Flying Officer and subsequently Flight Lieutenant is on a time served/satisfactory service basis. Further promotion to Squadron Leader and above is by competitive selection

Commitment and location

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.

7006, 7010 & 7630 Sqns are HQ at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. However, working weekends are usually conducted from RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

Be aged 17.5 – 47 (Must enter Initial Officer Training before 48th Birthday)

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

Be aged 18-54. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5
Three other subjects C Grade 4 Grade 5

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.

Alternatively, if you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher (or acceptable alternative) you only need Mathematics and English Language GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17) or Mathematics and English Language SCE Standard Grades of 2 or SNE Grade 5.

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Nationality: You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

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 will be considered.

Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

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

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • 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).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC/Fam Visit Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRTC Fitness Test here:

RAF Fam Visit Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
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.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

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
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

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). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be 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

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or acceptable equivalents) at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17) or 5 Scottish Certificate of Education (SCE) Standard Grades at a minimum of Grade 2 or 5 Scottish National Equivalent (SNE) Grades at Grade 5, including English Language and Mathematics.

You can find a list of the approved subjects here

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 160 UCAS points.

Alternatively, if you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher (or acceptable alternative), you only need English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17), SCE at a minimum of Grade 2 or SNE at Grade 5

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Nationality: You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

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 will be considered.

Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

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 the test can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 20 35
17-29 11.11 20 35
30-34 11.36 19 32
35-39 12 18 29
40-44 12.26 17 26
45-47 12.54 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 10 32
17-29 13.23 10 32
30-34 13.47 9 29
35-39 14.13 8 26
40-44 14.48 7 23
45-47 15.19 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC Protocols

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
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.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

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
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

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). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be 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 contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Reserve

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