Any RAF career is demanding and you may have to spend long periods away from home, but we do everything we can to help. And being married, or having kids, doesn’t have to stop you having the career you want.

Will I get to see my family and friends?

After initial training, you’re free to go home at weekends if you’re not on duty. Initial training includes weekends as well as weekdays. Generally, after around three weeks, you should be able to go home for a weekend.

Most people in the RAF work regular hours – Monday to Friday, doing an eight-hour day, with evenings and weekends free. If you’re not on duty, then after initial training you can leave the base whenever you want. You also get six weeks of paid holiday every year.

Maternity and paternity leave and childcare

• Maternity: A pregnant servicewoman has two basic maternity options: return to work after a period of maternity leave, or leave the RAF. Generally, servicewomen qualify for up to 26 weeks of statutory maternity pay (SMP), but they may also qualify for additional maternity entitlements.
• Paternity leave: Servicemen are entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave.
• Childcare: Lots of bases have crèches. These are great value as well as being conveniently located. You can also get information on registered childminders from the Help, Information and Volunteer Exchange (HIVE) on base.

Since May 2000, the RAF Benevolent Fund has been raising money for childcare centres. There are currently over two dozen of these centres, with more in the pipeline. The longer-term aim is to have a childcare centre on all major RAF bases.

Your family, your life

You can have a great career in the RAF without it being at the expense of your family. The RAF will always try to give you the opportunity to balance your work and family life.

http://www.raf-families-federation.org.uk/