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.
AS officers support the delivery of flying hardware either leading a shift of maintainers on a flying squadron, leading a maintenance flight (maintaining aircraft, weapons or support equipment). AS engineers gain a broad range of skills working with industry on new and existing equipment, for instance as a key decision maker as part of a large technical programme such as F-35.
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
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. Promotion to the rank of flight lieutenant is on a time served/satisfactory service basis 2½ years from completing IOT, or 1½ years if you have a technical Master’s degree. Further promotion to squadron leader and above is by competitive selection.