& EDUCATION

At any level or position your personal success is vital to make us succeed too. We are dedicated to your future, as it is essential to ours. You will receive basic and specialist training in your field and we even provide the option to pay for your education. The experience you gain with the RAF will equip you to work at the top of your field, both in the UK and overseas.
01
Phase one training
Initial Officer training
24 weeks
RAF Cranwell
You will begin your RAF career by completing the Initial Officer Training Course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
Read more
02
Phase two training
Specialist training
1.5-2 years
As assigned
Your specialist training begins at RAF Henlow in Bedfordshire to learn how the human body reacts to the airborne environment.
Read more
03
First tour
Specialist training
Ongoing
As assigned
For your first tour you will be posted to a flying station where your specialist aircraft type is based.
Read more
04
Your career prospects
Specialist training
Ongoing
As assigned
You will join the RAF on an Initial Commission of 12 years.
Read more
05
In-service degree
Specialist training
Ongoing
As assigned
An in-service degree is available for some aircrew roles.
Read more
06
Transferable skills
Development
Ongoing
As assigned
The skills and experience you gain throughout your career as a WSO could directly equip you for a number of civilian jobs.
Read more

REQUIREMENTS

Must be between 17.5 and 24 years old. (Must attest before 25th birthday)
Applicants must also read all of the sections below and make sure they meet all entry requirements before submitting an application.

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

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

ROLES

Aircrew
Weapon Systems Operator
Aircraft Analysis & maths Travelling the world
Aircrew
Weapon Systems Operator (Linguist)
Aircraft Being creative Analysis & maths
Roles in the RAF

The roles of our Weapon Systems Officer are as varied as our aircraft with the field of Intelligence, Surveillance Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance offering the most opportunities.

• Manage a mission crew of highly capable Weapon Systems Operators
• Track submarines or enemy ships
• Provide long-range search-and-rescue
• Operate overland in support of combat operation

The first step in the application process is a series of Computer Based Aptitude Tests (CBAT). These tests ensure we match the right candidate to the right role. They take place over one day at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire, and measure your ability to perform specific tasks such as:

• How well you respond physically to visual information
• Your ability to interpret information in two dimensions and devise a three-dimensional solution
• Your ability to complete several tasks simultaneously
• Your natural abilities, including deductive reasoning, spatial reasoning, work rate and concentration, and verbal and numerical reasonin