Royal Air Force (RAF) Airman/Woman

Airmen and women make up the majority of personnel in the Royal Air Force (RAF). They help it to fulfil its defence, combat, peacekeeping and humanitarian roles across the world.

Airmen and women acquire specialist skills in one of several areas, including:

• engineering and technical, maintaining aircraft, weapons, trucks and other equipment
• force protection, working as RAF police, firefighters or ground-fighting troops
• medical, providing care for armed forces staff on base and in overseas operations
• personnel support, such as physical training instruction or administration
• air operations support, such as monitoring radar systems or creating air maps
• communications and intelligence, covering communications technology and information systems
• logistics, such as catering, driving and supplies work.

RAF personnel work on bases across the UK. Most also spend some time working overseas, whether on brief operations or for postings of two to three years.

Salaries start from £13,377 during training, while senior airmen/women can earn up to £28,372 and sergeants up to £36,204.

Essential qualities are:

• teamworking skills
• excellent physical fitness
• self-discipline
• the ability to follow orders
• a cool head under pressure
• attention to detail
• initiative
• a desire to learn
• flexibility
• loyalty.

Airmen and women can join the RAF in many trades from the age of 16. For some roles there is a higher minimum age. Recruits join for a minimum length of service, usually six to twelve years.

A range of Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships are available.

Entry requirements vary, depending on the role. Most trades require two to five GCSEs (A*-C), including English language and maths.

Because RAF work is physically demanding, people with some medical conditions are excluded. All candidates must pass a pre-joining fitness test, including a 1.5-mile treadmill run and a number of press-ups and sit-ups.

New recruits go through initial training for 11 weeks at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. They then enter specialist training for their chosen role.

Promotion is to leading aircraftman/aircraftwoman after six months or on completing specialist training. The next step up is to senior aircraftman/woman, after completing a year's service and a trade ability test. Further promotion through the ranks is by competitive selection.

Further details