Cyberspace engineer — Chris

Chris studied a BSc in Communications Electronic Management before joining the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an Avionics Aircraft Technician

How did you get your job?

After joining as an Avionics Aircraft Technician I was promoted to Corporal. I applied for my commission to become a Communications Electronic Engineering Officer (now cyberspace engineer). After commissioning in 2012, I completed my RAF engineering training and in 2013, I started my first tour.

What was the recruitment and interview process like?

Coming from the enlisted ranks, I applied through the RAF Basic Entry Scheme, which provides technical trades with the opportunity to attend 15 months of focused academic study at RAF Cosford, to attain a foundation degree, which can be topped up afterwards to become a full degree. To be awarded one of the limited places on the scheme, I had to compete against other technicians, and pass the commissioning selection process.

The commissioning selection was much the same as the Direct Entrant (straight from civilian) process. I attended a filter interview with an RAF officer at my selected armed forces careers office, and upon successfully completing that stage, I was sent to the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC) at RAF Cranwell. During the three-day process I undertook medical and fitness assessments, a more thorough interview, leaderless and leader-led practical exercises, an individual and group planning exercise and a group discussion activity.

Throughout the process, our performance was assessed, not just whether we were successful in the activity, or came up with the best plan, but also on our leadership, followership and teamworking skills, as well as our attitude and attributes. It sounds intensive, but on reflection it was enjoyable.

They have streamlined much of the process. It's now a one-day visit to RAF Cranwell, with the fitness and medical assessments taking place before you attend OASC.

Why did this area of work appeal to you?

Having come from a technical background was already familiar with the engineering environment. I found that after returning from deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and anti-drug operations in the Caribbean, I enjoyed the responsibility that being on a small, deployed team has. You have to be more self-sufficient, and being far away from your home unit, you were called upon to make more decisions. Once I was promoted to Corporal, and with the support of some excellent supportive bosses and mentors, I realised that I wanted to experience more responsibility.

In addition to that, I wanted to be on a career path that involves people. With technical and engineering professions being one of the largest professions in the RAF, I certainly picked the right job to do that.

While my experience in radar, communications, and aircraft control systems was extensive, I had to study hard to further my knowledge of computer networks and digital technologies. This was a challenge, but well worth it in the end.

Nowadays, I focus on the Cyberspace and Communication Information Systems (CIS) support to operations, both RAF and in the joint arenas. I have come a long way since tentatively opening my text books on networking.

What does a typical day involve?

My current role is as a Cyberspace/CIS planning officer at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ). I work alongside my RAF, British Army, Royal Navy, Civil Servant and civilian colleagues to plan and execute joint operations globally.

A typical day involves attending operational planning meetings and briefings, to stay situationally aware of what crisis and situations are occurring around the world. I am relied upon to be informed, as well as to keep my commanders updated, so that they can make well-informed decisions. What I like about my current role, is that the better you perform, the more you are trusted to make decisions on other’s behalf and the more you see your planning take effect.

As part of the planning, I have to travel and represent the UK when engaging with Allies and partners around the world. Working in the joint environment is probably one of my most rewarding tours.

Describe your job in five words.

• adventurous
• rewarding
• varied
• teamwork
• trust.

What part of your job gives you the most satisfaction?

I love working with other people, to make 'stuff' happen. That and enjoying the responsibility that comes with being part of an operationally-focused organisation, is highly rewarding.

What are your work challenges?

One of the key challenges, is being able to adapt to different situations, and understand what needs to be done. Those changes come about through being posted to a new unit, through deployment, changes in the organisation. or through promotion. The RAF provides through-life training to help you stay up to speed, and remain adaptable and flexible, but a huge amount of this is down to you as an individual having the right attitude.

I like the challenges that posting every two to three years, as an officer, brings, but it’s not for everyone, and also there are times when you need additional stability. The RAF has processes that lean in to help those who need the extra support, such as mental health, IVF, adoption, or other factors that are important to family life and personal welfare.

What have been your career highlights?

Highlights include graduating as an Airman, following Basic Recruit Training at RAF Halton, and then as an Officer following Initial Officer Training at RAF Cranwell.

I have also had the privilege to take command of a Flight (a team of approximately 30 personnel). Leading a team of skilled individuals, is hugely rewarding. Equally rewarding was an instructional tour for officers undergoing their Phase 2 Engineering Officer Foundation training.

Operational highlights, include deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as taking part in a large Bi-lateral exercise with the French forces.

Finally, the adventurous moments that come to mind, involve mountaineering expeditions to the Austrian, Italian and Swiss Alps, Bolivia, Indian and Nepalese Himalayas, climbing to over 6,000m.

How has your role developed and what are you career ambitions?

The field that I work in is huge and varied, with plenty of scope for growth. My own personal growth has seen me work in many different roles, and achieve promotion from Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant and now currently as a Squadron Leader. Each change in rank, involves a change in expectations, experience, responsibility, and challenges.

What do you wish you’d known before you started your job?

As you gain more experience, you learn ways of working more effectively, and become more aware of what value you bring to the organisations and people you work with. It can be daunting, and easy to compare yourself to everyone else, but if I could go back in time and pass on some information to myself, I would tell younger 'me' to judge progress and growth against where 'you' were yesterday, not against others.

What sort of training have you received in your current role?

Direct training for my joint role at PJHQ, was delivered in the form of the Joint Operational Planning Course (JOPC), delivered at Northwood. More broader training is obtained through continuous professional development (CPD), such as attending cyber-related courses and conferences, delivered by industry, Defence, or even NATO.

What advice do you have for anyone considering a similar role?

Just do it. For those worried about whether they have enough computer or cyber experience, I would argue that it is the attributes and attitude that is more important.

If you are willing to keeping learning and expanding your experiences, be focused on the operational output of what you are doing, rather than the bits and bytes, then you are more than ready to get involved.

If you are comfortable engaging and trusting in others to be the deep technical specialists, so that you can focus on directing, cohering and coordinating that expertise to deliver results, then you are already there.

Find out more

• Read all about the Royal Air Force.
• Discover what it's like to be a communications engineer.
• Take a look at armed forces careers.