RAF Reserve

In Reserve Forces

Find a Unit

YOU COULD BE A ...

You can serve with the Royal Air Force alongside your full-time civilian career with over 30 different trades available in the Reserve Force. To be eligible to join the RAF Reserve you should be aged from 18 to 54 years-of-age (to be attested before the age of 55).

  • Minimum 27 days annually (many civilian companies give an extra 10 days leave for Reserve service training to be completed)
  • Daily rates of pay (rank related)
  • Annual tax free bounty (incremental)
  • Work alongside the Regular RAF
  • Opportunity to travel
  • Lifelong learning opportunities
  • Sport and adventure training opportunities

Want to get involved? Click here. 

Find your role in the RAF Reserves

Or call the recruitment team on 0845 606 9069.

“To be eligible to join the RAF Reserve you should be aged from 18 to 54 years-of-age. ”

RAF Chefs have a varied role when it comes to cooking and preparing food for RAF staff and guests. They can be preparing food at five-star themed banquets one day and cooking in the field the next.

Typical Responsibilities:

Prepare meals in RAF messes

Order, store and account for food

Help plan menus for everyday meals and VIP occasions

Similar civilian roles include: Chef or Caterer.

To learn more about roles available in the RAF Reserve visit https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment

“RAF Chefs can be preparing food at five-star themed banquets one day and cooking in the field the next. ”

Supply, Storage and Distribution Specialists are responsible for the management of RAF assets, from the receipt, storage, handling and distribution of equipment to its ultimate disposal.

Typical Responsibilities:

  • Deliver equipment to the operational front line
  • Use computerised accounting techniques, storage methods and equipment handling
  • Work on airfield fuel installations or in specialist storage areas

Similar civilian roles include: Aerospace logistics supply support specialist, Warehouse material and inventory operator/controller or Fuels storage and delivery operator.

“Supply, Storage and Distribution Specialists are responsible for the management of RAF assets, from the receipt, storage, handling and distribution of equipment to its ultimate disposal. ”

RAF Regiment Gunners specialise in infantry tactics, weaponry, field craft, and force protection. These elite soldiers carry out a range of crucial duties to defend RAF bases and overseas air operations.

Typical Responsibilities:

  • Provide forward air control and ground combat support in deployed operations
  • Train other RAF personnel in defensive military skills
  • Support various Special Forces units

Similar civilian roles include: Parachuting instructor, Outward bound instructor or Security guard.

“RAF Regiment Gunners specialise in infantry tactics, weaponry, field craft, and force protection. ”

Intelligence Analysts use state-of-the-art technologies to gather and interpret information. They provide vital intelligence to support military forces deployed around the world.

Typical Responsibilities:

  • Collect, collate and evaluate intelligence from multiple sources.
  • Analyse and interpret aerial or satellite imagery using high tech systems.
  • Disseminate tailored Intelligence to commanders, aircrews or troops on the ground.

Similar civilian role:  Business Analyst.

To learn more about roles available in the RAF Reserve visit https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment

“Intelligence Analysts provide vital intelligence to support military forces deployed around the world. ”

In May 2013 the Joint Forces Cyber Group stood up within the Joint Forces Command structure to deliver Defence’s cyber capability; its reserve component is the Joint Cyber Reserve Unit (JCU(R)) which was announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 29 Sep 13.  The JCU(R) will provide specialist support to the Joint Cyber Unit (Corsham), the Joint Cyber Unit (Cheltenham) or 591 Signals Unit (Digby) and Information Assurance (IA) units across Defence.

The JCU(R) is now seeking to recruit individuals with exceptional verifiable cyber and/or IA skills from three areas: regular personnel leaving the Service; current and former reservists; and individuals with no previous military service.  Personnel will be selected based primarily on their existing technical knowledge, skills, experience and aptitude for posts in the JCU(R) sub-units.

For full details and to apply to the JCU(R), use the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/joint-forces-command/about/recruitment

To learn more about other roles available in the RAF Reserve visit https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment

“The JCU(R) is now seeking to recruit individuals with exceptional verifiable cyber and/or IA skills. ”

Medical Officers deliver a high standard of care, sometimes under challenging conditions. They play a vital role in keeping our personnel fit and medically prepared for operational roles.

Typical Responsibilities:

  • Surgical duties in field hospitals
  • General Practitioner duties in RAF medical centres
  • Specialist activities in NHS medical units

Similar civilian roles: GP and Consultant.

To learn more about roles available in the RAF Reserve visit https://www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment

“Medical Officers deliver a high standard of care, sometimes under challenging conditions. ”