Sign-up to our newsletter

Join the team

The Royal Air Force (RAF) defends UK airspace and operates a search and rescue service at sea and on land. It acts as a fighting and peacekeeping force abroad. It also brings aid to the victims of war and natural disaster.

Airmen/women provide specialist skills in around 40 different trades. They may operate in the air (non-commissioned aircrew) or have a ground-based career (ground support staff). They also have military duties, which may include guarding RAF stations and taking part in military operations, exercises and training. The trade areas include aircrew, engineering and technical, catering and hospitality, force protection, medical and medical support, personnel support, air operations support, communications and intelligence, and logistics and equipment.

Airmen/women need to be available for duty at all times, but they usually work office hours over a five-day week. Airmen/women can be away from their family for several months when on detachment. They may be posted to RAF bases in the UK or overseas, and may go on operations and exercises anywhere in the world.
Salaries range from £15,677 to £34,025 a year.

An airman/woman should:
• be able to work well as part of a team
• be self-disciplined
• be able to follow orders and act on their own initiative
• have the ability to stay calm under pressure
• enjoy being active and the Armed Forces’ lifestyle.

There are more than 30,000 non-commissioned personnel in the RAF. Competition for trades varies.

Entry to many trades is possible at 16 years of age, while some trades set a higher minimum age. No formal qualifications are needed to become an RAF Regiment gunner. Qualifications required for other trades vary between a minimum of two GCSEs/S grades (A-E/1-5), including English Language and Maths, and A levels/H grades. All candidates must pass aptitude tests, a pre-joining fitness test, a health assessment and interviews. The upper age limit for entry to most trades is 29 years.

Promotion to senior aircraftman/aircraftwoman is usually after airmen/women have passed their trade ability test and completed one year’s total service. Further promotion to corporal and above is by competitive selection based on merit. Non-commissioned aircrew are promoted to sergeant on completion of their training. Further promotion is to flight sergeant and master aircrew.

For more information see www.connexions-direct.com