RAF Regiment Officer

Job description: Provide ground and short-range air defence anywhere in the world.

Pay after training: £29,000

Joining age: 17.5 – 36

Category: Officers

Usual service: 6 years

Open to: men only

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Qualifications you need: 2 A-levels or 3 Highers or equivalent. Plus 5 GCSEs/SCEs at Grade C/3 minimum or equivalent, including English language and maths

Qualifications you can gain: Degree or Masters degree

Nationality: UK citizen since birth or holder of dual UK/other nationality

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The job

As an RAF Regiment Officer, you’ll be trained as a specialist in infantry tactics, weapon systems and surveillance equipment. But you’ll also be a leader. You’ll lead your flight of around 30 men to protect the RAF’s aircraft, people and bases around the world.

You’ll be trained to operate in peacekeeping and counter terrorist situations as well as full-scale war fighting. And you’ll learn to rapidly evaluate tactical situations, formulate a plan and then brief this to your troops, no matter what the pressure.

The RAF Regiment is a specialist infantry unit. Formed in 1942, its Gunners have seen action around the world, most recently in Sierra Leone, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Training

Your RAF Regiment training starts with the Junior Regiment Officers’ Course where you’ll learn the field skills and tactical knowledge you’ll need to command a flight of Gunners in a combat situation. The course is mentally and physically tough and you’ll need grit and resolve to succeed.

You’ll then be posted to a front line squadron and could serve anywhere in the world. Some squadrons have specialist roles: 2 Squadron RAF Regiment is parachute capable, and on the Queen’s Colour Squadron you’ll combine operational tasks with ceremonial duties such as mounting guard at Buckingham Palace.

You’ll normally spend about two years in each role. As your career progresses, you’ll have the opportunity to serve in a wide variety of roles and locations. Some of the tasks within your first few years of service could include:

leading your flight on patrol around an airfield to deter, locate and destroy the enemy;
working with the Army as a Forward Air Controller to call in and direct close air support;
parachuting into a hostile environment to secure an airfield for RAF or allied forces use;
planning missions and leading a small team to recover downed aircrew or other key personnel;
providing specialist capabilities to warn of and counter the effects of chemical, biological or radiological weapons;
providing training for RAF personnel; or
leading your flight in ceremonial events in front of the Royal Family, visiting Heads of State and other VIPs.

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

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