RAF officer

RAF officers work in a number of roles and are responsible for the welfare and discipline of personnel under their command.


Typical Salary

£33,000 – £51,000

per year

Career Area

Officers in armed forces

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Day-to-day tasks

As an RAF officer, your duties will depend on your job.

You could:

  • fly fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters
  •  manage services like catering or logistics
  •  make sure aircraft are armed and ready to take off
  •  monitor cyberspace for threats
  •  make sure airfields are secure

Skills needed

  • leadership skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • persistence and determination
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to get into this role

You can get into this job by applying directly.

Career progression

With experience, you could move up the ranks from flying officer to air commodore or higher.

You could go into a wide range of careers once you leave the RAF. Your career choices will depend on the skills, training and qualifications you've gained during your service.

You can find details about support and career opportunities from: