As a Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist) you will be fluent in two or more languages and will monitor, collect and analyse foreign-language voice transmissions and offer intelligence support.
With every mission, you have to quickly adapt to unfolding situations, use your initiative, prioritise all the information received and produce tactical reports for military commanders. You can expect to fly several missions a week from the base in Lincolnshire, or from a Deployed Operating Base somewhere overseas.
Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.
TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE
Your career will start with the 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
Following the Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC), prospective Weapon Systems Operators and Air Operations (Control) Sergeants, known within the Service as Non-Commissioned Controllers, will complete the Direct Entrant Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (DE SNCO) Course at Airmen's Command Squadron (ACS), RAF Halton. The 8-week training programme will develop the students’ knowledge of leadership within the RAF and increase their understanding of their management responsibilities as SNCOs. The course includes Air Power academic study, Practical Leadership Exercises, an Appraisal Workshop, Interview Techniques and Fitness Development.
This is followed by a 5.2 week Military Aviation Ground School (MAGS) course also at RAFC Cranwell. You will be taught generic aircrew subjects such as meteorology, aircraft systems and basic survival skills before progressing to your specialist language training.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
As a Linguist, you will undergo 18 months of intensive language training at Chicksands in Bedfordshire or Shrivenham in Wiltshire before proceeding to an Airborne Linguist Training Course that will build on previous MAGS subjects, adding airborne specific exercises. You will then be posted to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. Here you will complete a 4 month Technical Applied Language Course before proceeding to a 6 month Operational Conversion Course on the aircraft to which you have been assigned.
INITIAL TRAINING
Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) consisting of 4 weekends at your chosen RAF Reserves Squadron, followed by a 15 day residential training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. This training course will prepare you for service life in one of the most respected military forces in the world; it is also designed to help you tune into the military environment and way of life. As well as military training, you will learn about the core values, code of conduct and history of the RAF, as well as its unique lifestyle.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
After successfully completing initial training, you will be trained for your specific role in the RAF either at your squadron or another RAF station in the UK.
You will have to commit to 27 days per year for 12 years minimum.
Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.
You might be deployed to a UK or overseas base for up to 6 months after the first year.
ALL APPLICANTS MUST:
Be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British or that of a British Overseas Territory.
Be aged between 17.5 and 32 years old. (Must attest before 33rd birthday).
To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 meters without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool. All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.
You must be a UK citizen from birth.
You must have resided in the UK for 7 years immediately prior to application.
Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship.
Following the MOD announcement that the UK Armed Forces will now be able to recruit commonwealth citizens without the 5 year residency requirement, please note that the RAF continues to apply standard residency requirements for security clearance, ie, DV employment requires 7-years UK residency immediately prior to enlistment; SC requires 3-years.
You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.
The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:
The second fitness test will take place at RAF Halton as part of your three-day Pre-Recruit Training Course (PRTC). This consists of the following:
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).
| MALES - 100% pass rates: | ||||
| AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
| (Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
| 15-16 | 11.39 | 9.03 | 20 | 35 |
| 17-29 | 11.11 | 9.10 | 20 | 35 |
| 30-34 | 11.36 | 9.04 | 19 | 32 |
| 35-39 | 12 | 8.09 | 18 | 29 |
| 40-44 | 12.26 | 8.03 | 17 | 26 |
| FEMALES - 100% pass rates: | ||||
| AGE | 2.4 Km Run | Multi-Stage Fitness Test | Press-ups | Sit-ups |
| (Mins) | (Score) | (No.) | (No.) | |
| 15-16 | 13.54 | 6.07 | 10 | 32 |
| 17-29 | 13.23 | 7.02 | 10 | 32 |
| 30-34 | 13.47 | 6.08 | 9 | 29 |
| 35-39 | 14.13 | 6.04 | 8 | 26 |
| 40-44 | 14.48 | 5.08 | 7 | 23 |
You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:
You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:
RAF MSFT: Intro
RAF MSFT: Bleep Test
You can see a video demonstration of the PRTC Fitness Test here:
To train as aircrew in the RAF, you must be able to pass the RAF Swimming Test as follows: Swim 100 meters without rest, using any front or sidestroke. Tread water for 2 minutes. Get out of the deep end of the pool unassisted, without the use of steps or the bottom of the pool. All personnel attempting the test must wear clothing commensurate with that worn for their normal operating activity, which for aircrew is a flying suit.
BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:
There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:
| Age | Male and female minimum | Male and female maximum | Male maximum with additional assessment | Female maximum with additional assessment |
| 18 + | 18 | 28 | 32 | 30 |
| 16 to < 18 | 17 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.
DURING YOUR APPLICATION:
The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.
YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:
Beard Policy:
A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm).
The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available.
If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.
