RAF Recruitment | Media Operations

MEDIA OPERATIONS

SPECIALIST

Being creative Travelling the world Gaming & computers

DAY RATE STARTS AT:

£63.27

+ Benefits

As an RAF Media Operations Specialist, you will be the voice of the RAF, supporting media operations officers and HQ Air Command with the delivery of national and international communications campaigns to make sure the RAF’s stories are communicated correctly and fairly.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO VACANCIES FOR THIS ROLE. PLEASE CONTACT US TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST AND RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS WHEN VACANCIES BECOME AVAILABLE.

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What will you do?

You’ll support People Operations Media Officers and HQ Air Command with the delivery of national and international imagery to ensure the RAF’s stories are shown correctly and fairly. In your role you will:

Carry out the capture, manipulation and production of all types of photo/videography tasks
Support media operations officers to capture the correct imagery for campaigns
Ensure that all documentation is accurately and correctly completed
Support the RAF’s social media team with its online presence

Minimum Education

You will need a minimum of 2 GCSEs (or acceptable equivalents) at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4 to 5 with effect from Aug 17), in English Language and Mathematics or Scottish National 5 (Grades A – C) in English Language and Mathematics
You must also be currently employed, self-employed or studying (academic vocational) as a journalist or PR practitioner, and be able to provide a portfolio of published material demonstrating an ability to produce compelling PR copy or journalism.

Requirements

Be aged 18 – 54 years old. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 6 months in order to attest before 55th birthday.
Be a citizen of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/ other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen (with indefinite leave to remain immigration status) since birth
Demonstrate impeccable written English
Hold a full UK driving licence
Commit to 27 days per year
Pass a fitness test

Reserve role locations

Reserve roles exist in specific reserve squadrons, which in turn are located at specific RAF bases. As you will not be resident at those bases (except on multi-day operations or exercises), geographic proximity to where you live is important. These are the bases where this role is active:

502 Sqn, JHFS Aldergrove, Co Antrim

611 Sqn, RAF Woodvale, Merseyside

614 Sqn, Cardiff

7644 Sqn, RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire

TRAINING AND

CAREER

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

23 days (split)

RAF Halton

Your first steps with us will be your Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC).

Phase two training

Specialist training

Ongoing

As assigned

After successfully completing initial training, you will be trained for your specific role in the RAF either at your squadron or another RAF station in the UK.

Commitment

Your commitment

Ongoing

As assigned

We ask that you commit to a minimum of 27 days each year with us.

Ongoing development

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

You will have valuable personal development opportunities together with the chance to work around the world, gaining unique experiences in the process.

Transferable skills

Ongoing training

Ongoing

As assigned

Much of our in-house training is accredited or recognised by external awarding bodies.

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

View all benefits

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.

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.

Squadron information event

Selection interview

Health assessment

Fitness test

Acceptance

Training

Squadron information event

Stage 1 of 6

The first step in the application process invites you to attend a squadron information event. This could be either in person or online. At this event, there is an opportunity for you to speak to the squadron of your choice and ask questions. You will get to find out what life is like in the RAF Reserves and learn more about the specialisation you are interested in.

Selection interview

Stage 2 of 6

Here’s where we get to know you a little better. You’ll get to showcase your skills and experience, and we’ll answer any questions you have about joining us. Your interview will cover the following topics:

Education
Employment
Interest and motivation for joining the RAF Reserves
Military awareness and Service Knowledge

You’ll be asked a series of standard questions, and you’ll be able to ask your own questions during the debrief afterwards. Some roles require a second interview and/ or test to determine your suitability. These are normally conducted over a 1-3 day period at an RAF base where you’ll be able to 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 6

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. Please refer to entry requirements below for more information about the health standards you’ll need to meet.

Fitness test

Stage 4 of 6

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 (PJFT). 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.

Acceptance

Stage 5 of 6

If you’ve successfully completed each phase of the application process, you will be invited to attest into the RAF Reserves at your chosen Squadron.

Training

Stage 6 of 6

Basic Recruit Training

Basic recruit training takes place at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire over a 15-day period. This residential course includes an introduction to life in the RAF Reserves, military skills training, drills, field training, and team-building exercises.

What’s next?

After basic recruit training, you will go on to receive role specific training in your spare time.

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTS

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen (with indefinite leave to remain immigration status) since birth.

Be between 18 and 54 years old. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 6 months in order to attest before 55th birthday.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

	GCSE pre-2017	GCSE 2017 Onwards	Scottish National 5
Mathematics	C	Grade 4	C
English Language	C	Grade 4	C

You must also be currently employed, self-employed or studying (academic vocational) as a journalist or PR practitioner, and be able to provide a portfolio of published material demonstrating an ability to produce compelling PR copy or journalism.

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

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. 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 any application.

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

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.

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).
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.

APPLY

NOW

Got what it takes? Start your application here.