Royal Air Force - Regular & Reserve

Personnel Support Musician CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Musician, you will enjoy a varied life that includes performing, individual practice, rehearsals and travelling.

Full-time regular Spare time reserve

Learn more about this role

Minimum Average Pay Over Your First Year £17,000+ + Benefits

Initial pay after training £25,525 + Benefits

Apply as a Regular


DAY RATE STARTS AT: Depends on role, rank and experience

Apply as a Reserve


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 16 -47 (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • Perform to a minimum Grade 8 standard as defined by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or equivalent
  • Have GCSE at Grade G/1-3 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 6/Scottish National 4 in English language
  • Have a GCSE at Grade G/1-3 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 6/Scottish National 4 in Maths
  • Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth
  • Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Pass the Airman Selection Test
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Being creative
  • Travelling the world
  • Helping people

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 18 – 54 (Must attest before 55th birthday – Ex Regulars over the age of 55 may be considered on a case by case basis)
  • Be a UK, Republic of Ireland or Commonwealth citizen
  • Perform to a minimum Grade 8 standard as defined by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or equivalent
  • Have GCSE at Grade G/1-3 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 6/Scottish National 4 in English language
  • Have a GCSE at Grade G/1-3 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 6/Scottish National 4 in Maths
  • Meet the health and fitness criteria
  • Commit 27 days per year for 12 years minimum
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Being creative
  • Travelling the world
  • Helping people

Locations

RAF Aux Band RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Perform at symphony halls, graduation ceremonies and military parades
  • Play dance music, chamber repertoire, military marches, symphonic concerts and jazz
  • Provide musical support for events like dinners, dances and visits by Heads of State

RAF Musicians provide musical support for the RAF, ranging from Military and State events to concerts, television and radio broadcasts and studio recordings.

You will regularly take part in radio and television broadcasts as well as studio recordings for record labels. The military engagements include Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Royal Jubilees, Royal Weddings and Funerals, Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London and graduation parades for new RAF Recruits at RAF Halton.

On completion of your training, you will be posted to one of the 3 Regular Bands based either at Royal Air Force Northolt in London, or RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. All our musicians – whether woodwind, brass, percussion or string players – are required to perform on parade and are able to perform a variety of playing styles.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?

The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.

You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.

  • Training
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Paid pension
  • Paid holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU’LL RECEIVE

Your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course 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’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

The next step is a period of specialist familiarization training at Royal Air Force Northolt. If you already play to the standards of a performance diploma, you’ll spend approximately 4 weeks at Headquarters Music Services, studying your primary instrument, learning band drill and completing academic work, prior to your first posting to a Regular band. If you don’t yet play to the standards of a performance diploma, you’ll spend approximately 12 weeks studying your primary instrument, learning band drill and academic work. You will then be detached or posted to one of the three Regular bands, depending on the rate of your progress in training.

More details +

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Musicians who complete the Continuous Professional Development scheme have the opportunity to gain the following diplomas in music performance and music direction: LLCM, LTCL, Dip ABRSM, LRSM.

ONGOING TRAINING/DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Musicians who complete the Continuous Professional Development scheme have the opportunity to gain the following diplomas in music performance and music direction: LLCM, LTCL, Dip ABRSM, LRSM.

YOUR FIRST TOUR

On completion of your familiarization training at Royal Air Force Northolt, you will be posted to one of the three Regular Bands located at either Royal Air Force Northolt or Royal Air Force College Cranwell. Initial tour length is normally for a period of 18 months but may vary due to operational demand.

YOUR FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS/PROGRESSION

You will initially join the RAF for a period of twelve years. Musicians have the opportunity to be considered for promotion up to the rank of Warrant Officer with qualification via the CPD scheme and with the requisite seniority. Suitable and qualified personnel may elect to undertake selection for commission as a Director of Music through the Internal Commissioning Scheme.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

As a Musician in the RAF, you will have all the personal development opportunities and career prospects of your civilian counterparts, together with the chance to gain unique experiences whilst working around the world. When they decide to leave the Service, many Royal Air Force Musicians re-enter the civilian musical world as either teachers or performers.

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL TRAINING

Your training will start with a Basic Recruit Training Course 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.

 

More details +

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES

Musicians who complete the rank related Performance Exams, have the opportunity to gain the following diplomas in music performance: Dip ABRSM, LLCM and LTCL.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

As a Musician in the RAF Reserves, you will have all the personal development opportunities and career prospects of your RAF Regular counterparts, together with the chance to gain unique experiences whilst working around the world.

 

FUTURE CAREER PROSPECTS AND PROGRESSION

You will initially join the RAF Reserves for a period of twelve years. Musicians have the opportunity to be considered for promotion up to the rank of Chief Technician, this is by competitive selection and subject to you obtaining positive annual appraisals.

Commitment and location

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.

Should a PTVR Musician be mobilised within the UK they may be employed to deliver the full spectrum of functions as performed by RAF Regular Bands.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Be aged 16–47 (Must attest before 48th birthday).

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Be aged 18 – 54 (Must attest before 55th birthday – Ex Regulars over the age of 55 may be considered on a case by case basis)

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Perform to a minimum Grade 8 standard as defined by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or equivalent

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics G Grade 1-3 Grade 4
English Language G Grade 1-3 Grade 4

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years will be considered.

Following the Home Office 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. 

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

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 two or three separate fitness tests as part of the application process: Selection Fitness Test, Pre-joining Fitness Test or Pre-recruit Training Course.
How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender.

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:

PJFT/PRTC Protocols

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:

RAF Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
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
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

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.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. All tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Perform to a minimum Grade 8 standard as defined by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or equivalent

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
Mathematics G Grade 1-3 Grade 4
English Language G Grade 1-3 Grade 4

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Be a citizen of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, holder of dual UK/other nationality or have been a Commonwealth citizen since birth.

Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 5 years immediately preceding your application. However, candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

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 a Pre-joining Fitness Test. 
How fit you need to be to pass this test can vary depending on role, age and gender.

MALES
Age Limits 2.4 Km Run (Minutes) Multi-Stage Fitness Test (Level) Press-ups (Number) Sit-ups (Number)
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 12.00 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-49 12.54 7.07 16 23
50-54 13.27 7.01 15 20
FEMALES
Age Limits 2.4 Km Run(Minutes) Multi-Stage Fitness Test (Level) Press-ups (Number) Sit-ups (Number)
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
45-49 15.19 5.04 6 20
50-54 15.53 4.09 5 17

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
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
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

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.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. All tattoos must not be visible above the neck collar or below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Reserve

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