RECRUIT & NON-COMMISSIONED AIRCREW INITIAL TRAINING
As a direct entrant joining the Royal Air Force at the rank of Sergeant (rank attained upon completion of Non Commissioned Controller training), your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about service life.
Following the Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC), prospective Weapon Systems Operators and Air Operations (Control) Sergeants, known within the Service as Non-Commissioned Controllers, will complete the Direct Entrant Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (DE SNCO) Course at Airmen's Command Squadron (ACS), RAF Halton. The 8-week training programme will develop the students’ knowledge of leadership within the RAF and increase their understanding of their management responsibilities as SNCOs. The course includes Air Power academic study, Practical Leadership Exercises, an Appraisal Workshop, Interview Techniques and Fitness Development.
SPECIALIST TRAINING
Specialist training is delivered at the Defence College of Air and Space Operations at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and subsequently, for Weapons Controllers, at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland. This training starts with a Foundation Module and is completed alongside Air Operations (Systems) and (Control) officer students. Following successful completion, you will be assigned to a specialist module in one of the core specialisations: Terminal (Airfield) ATC or Weapons Control. You could return at a later date to complete a short conversion course to allow you to undertake roles in any of the other core areas including Area Radar control.
Looking for more from life?
There are over 50 challenging roles with the Royal Air Force from Cyberspace Communications Specialists to Catering and from Air Operations (Control) Sergeant to Logistics.
World-wide travel, learn while you earn – we offer opportunities few civilian careers can match.
Other benefits include six weeks’ leave, subsidised food and accommodation and free gym facilities.