When you become an RAF Officer, your responsibilities start from day one. You’ll be tasked with leading a team, building a sense of camaraderie, and making quick decisions. Become tomorrow’s leader. Start today.
PERSONNEL TRAINING
OFFICER
Currently recruiting
Helping people
Being creative
Analysis & maths
PAY DURING INITIAL OFFICER TRAINING
£33,100+
+ Benefits
PAY AFTER COMPLETING 3 YEARS SERVICE + PROMOTION TO FLT LT
£50,500+
+ Benefits
When the Royal Air Force is not on operations, it is training. As an RAF Personnel Training Officer, you will have opportunities to lead, develop and manage training on RAF and MOD Units throughout the UK, on overseas bases, and on exercises and operations around the world.
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Already applied? See what the next steps in the application process are below.
What will you do?
Given the variety of roles within the Training Specialisation, Training Officers have opportunities to lead, develop and manage training on RAF and MOD Units throughout the UK, on overseas bases, and on exercises and operations around the world.
- Training management
- Developing programmes that enhance human performance
- Employment in flying training development
- Parachute training for the UK’s Airborne Forces
Minimum Education Requirements
- As a minimum, you will need GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language, Mathematics/Application of Mathematics and at least three other subjects.
- In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies) 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/Application of Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of GCSE Grade C/4-5 or Scottish National 5 grade C.
Requirements
- Be aged 17.5 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
- 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)
- Pass the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre
- Pass a Fitness test - Details 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.
24 weeks
RAF Cranwell
You will begin your RAF career with Initial Officer Training (IOT) at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
8 weeks
RAF Cosford
After MIOT, you will be assigned to your first role before your next phase of training. Professional (specialist) training is delivered as a modular training package.
Ongoing
As assigned
Your first tour could be as a Station Training Officer on a RAF station developing programmes of activity to get the best from individuals, teams and organisations.
Ongoing
As assigned
As a Training Specialist you will have opportunities for further personal and professional development.
Ongoing
As assigned
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’ service or age 40, whichever is the later, during this time.
Ongoing
As assigned
The qualifications and experience you gain as an RAF Training Officer are valuable to the wider world too.
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
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.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must be aged between 17.5 and 47 years old.
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
- As a minimum, you will need GCSEs at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English Language, Mathematics/Application of Mathematics and at least three other subjects.
- In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Citizenship Studies) 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/Application of Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of GCSE Grade C/4-5 or Scottish National 5 grade C.
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 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.
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
A second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This includes the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test). Standards to achieve will be given during the visit.
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 |
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 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.
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information please contact us.
SIMILAR
ROLES