When you join the RAF, you’ll usually be asked to join for between six and twelve years. Officers may be able to join for longer.

Many people extend their career in the RAF well beyond the number of years they join for initially. But if you find that the RAF really isn’t for you, it is possible to make arrangements to leave early.

In their first six months of service, airmen/airwomen have the right to give 14 days’ notice to leave, subject to completing 28 days’ service. They can also leave, without penalty, three years after completing their basic training. In addition, those aged under 18 years and 3 months will normally be allowed to leave, provided they have registered their unhappiness with Service life with their superiors before their 18th birthday.