The job

Join the RAF as a Gunner and you’ll be joining a specialist infantry unit, trained and equipped to defend the RAF’s aircraft, people and bases. Since its formation in 1942, the RAF Regiment and its ‘Gunners’ – as they are known – have seen action around the world, including most recently Sierra Leone, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a Gunner, you’ll receive specialist training in infantry tactics and weapons, from pistols, rifles and light machine guns, to mortars, anti-tank missiles and heavy machine guns. As the RAF Regiment needs to operate 24 hours a day in any weather, you’ll become skilled in the use of the latest night-vision aids and other surveillance equipment. Gunners need to be able to drive a variety of vehicles, quad bikes and motorbikes – so if you don’t have a driving licence you’ll earn one in training.

Please note: You can apply to be an RAF Regiment Gunner when you reach 15 years and 9 months of age. Applicants will then be eligible to undertake the Potential Gunner Acquaintance Course (PGAC) from age 16.

Combat training

RAF Regiment training is tough. We’ll build up your fitness and teach you essential skills such as shooting and how to live and fight in the field. Later, you’ll learn to use more advanced weapons and tactics. You’ll also do your driving test if you don’t already have a licence and you’ll be awarded an NVQ.

To prepare you for combat operations our training will take you all around the world on exercises to places like Belize, Canada and Cyprus.

Specialise

As a Gunner, you could specialise in some of the RAF Regiment’s other roles:

• Become a paratrooper serving on 2 Squadron RAF Regiment or other parachute-capable units.
• Serve on the Queen’s Colour Squadron, carrying out ceremonial duties including guarding Buckingham Palace, as well as your normal operational role.
• Become a sniper – an expert in camouflage and marksmanship.
• Be part of a unit specialising in detecting and protecting against chemical or biological attack.
• Train as a member of a Forward Air Control team, calling in strike aircraft and helicopters in support of ground troops.
• Work in support of Special Forces operations.
• Work as part of a small team to recover downed aircrew or other key personnel.

For more information about the RAF Regiment, go to www.raf.mod.uk/rafregiment.

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