Do you want to become a Royal Air Force (RAF) Airman/Woman? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
Job Description -
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Airmen/women provide specialist skills in more than 40 different trades in the Royal Air Force (RAF). The main role of the RAF is to defend the UK and its interests, but it also brings aid and protection to the victims of disaster and war.
Trades in the RAF range from aircraft servicing to catering and office work, medical support and security. Airmen/women may operate in the air (non-commissioned aircrew) or have a ground-based career (ground support staff). They also have military duties, which may include guarding RAF stations and taking part in military operations, exercises and training.
RAF trades include aerial erectors, aerospace systems operators, aircraft technicians, catering accountants, chefs and stewards, dental nurses and technicians, firefighters, flight operations assistants, intelligence analysts, mechanical transport drivers, medical assistants, musicians, painters and finishers, personnel administrators, photographers, physical training instructors, RAF police, RAF regiment gunners and staff nurses.
Airmen/women need to be available for duty at all times, but they usually work office hours over a five-day week, with occasional weekend duties. The work can include shifts, holiday work, early starts and late finishes.
Salaries range from around £14,650 a year to more than £25,000 a year.
Airmen/women need to:
There are more than 40,000 non-commissioned personnel in the RAF. Candidates have to be at least 16 years of age to join the RAF, and older for some trades. No formal qualifications are needed for some jobs, but all candidates must pass the RAF aptitude tests, interviews and an occupational health check. The upper age limit for most trades in the RAF is 29 years. Qualifications are needed for entry to some trades.
Trainees undertake a nine-week training course at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. After a short period of leave, airmen/women begin their trade training. Non-commissioned aircrew take a 10-week aircrew training course at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
Airmen/women can earn promotion in most RAF trades from junior ranks to non-commissioned management and instructing roles through experience, performance and development.

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