Royal Air Force

The RAF is the UK’s aerial, peacekeeping and fighting force. Made up of full-time Regulars and spare-time Reserves, the RAF enforces international law overseas while bringing aid and protection to the victims of disaster and war. Not just the defender of UK airspace, the RAF also provides search-and-rescue for both military personnel and civilians in times of emergency.

For over a hundred years the Royal Air Force has defended the skies of Britain and projected Britain’s power and influence around the world. The UK and our allies face threats in an uncertain world, from unauthorised aircraft entering protected airspace, to cyber-attacks.

No ordinary employer

We look at you differently; a career in the RAF is about discovering your natural talent and working together to find out what makes you happy, productive and brings you the most value in your life. The RAF is full of ordinary folk who come to us often with nothing more than a desire to lead a less ordinary existence.

Pay and benefits

• Discounts such as Blue light card, forces railcard
• Armed forces Pension with no personal contribution
• Forces help to buy. Helps people purchase first home, can borrow 50% of salary (up to £25,000) interest free
• Subsidised accommodation, on and off base.
• Sports and adventure training opportunities
• Free Gym, healthcare and dental
• Subsidised food (around £38 per week for three quality meals a day)
• Six weeks holiday, plus public holidays
• Free wrap around childcare at certain locations
• Flexible working hours
• Transfer of leave between spouses in the armed forces
• Working from home opportunities
• Maternity and Paternity leave

Further faster

Your success is vital to us. We’re dedicated to your future, and you’ll receive basic and specialist training in your field, and we’ll be focused on your path throughout your career. Our structure means you’ll be given responsibility from the get-go.

When you need to make sure 200 personnel are fed in less than two hours or you’re responsible for the maintenance of 20 Typhoon jets you’ve got to be able to step up and make it happen.

A modern force

We believe the talents and skills of individuals from different groups makes for a more efficient RAF. We are committed to promoting and developing equality, diversity and inclusion within the Service and we look to recruit those who believe this too. Before your selection interview please read and understand our policy and expectations.

Diversity and inclusion

Diversity is the ways in which we all differ including (but not limited to) our race, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, physical attributes, disabilities, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic background, life experiences (including marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity), skills and the way we think and do things.

Inclusion is the action of embracing these differences. It’s about valuing and harnessing people’s unique backgrounds, talents, perspectives, and insights for the benefit of individuals and the organisation.

Stronger together

Every member of the RAF is valuable; from the chefs feeding hungry personnel to the engineers getting aircraft off the ground; every role is dependent on another to get the job done.

Different skillsets are needed at different stages of an operation and it’s vital that we work together to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Many of our roles don’t require experience. We also offer professional on-the-job training in medical and engineering roles so there are opportunities if you’re at the start of your career or looking to switch to a new one.

Make a difference

You can make a difference, both within the force and outside of it. The RAF is ready at a moment’s notice to provide essential support, delivering aid to natural disaster zones in the case of cyclones, floods and hurricanes in the UK and across the globe.

We work across continents, with operations in Eastern Europe, the South Atlantic, the Mediterranean and beyond. Our presence in these regions helps to keep people safe.

Discover how you could be a part of a force making a real change.

Core values

Core Values of the Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force Core Values are the beliefs and principles that define who we are.

Our core values are:

• R – Respect
• I – Integrity
• S – Service
• E – Excellence.

These values help to unify the Royal Air Force and are the bedrock of our Ethos as a warfighting Service

Ethos

The Royal Air Force Ethos The Royal Air Force Ethos is our distinctive character, spirit and attitude that is necessary to pull together as a team to deliver air and space power, no matter the challenge or the environment. We place Royal Air Force success above self and strive to be courageous in the face of adversity and risk.

Sustained by strong leadership at all levels, high professional and personal standards, and a commitment to the well-being of all our colleagues, we are bound by a strong sense of tradition and belonging to an organisation of which we are immensely proud. Effective and consistent leadership throughout the Service is crucial to maintaining our ethos. Every member of the Royal Air Force has the duty and ability to lead, no matter what their rank or position, and has a moral responsibility to live by our core values.