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Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR)

Step 3: Choose The Right Path

Royal Air Force Reserve

The Reserve Air Forces comprises the RAF Reserve (RAFR) and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF).
While RAFR members tend to be recruited for either full or part time service to provide support for the RAF, the members of the RAuxAF are mainly in full time civilian employment.

The RAuxAF was created in 1924 in the form of the Auxiliary Air Force. The Flying Squadrons and Balloon Squadrons played a significant part in the Second World War. In the Battle of Britain, the Flying Squadrons were responsible for around 30% of the accredited enemy kills and the Balloon Squadrons were accredited with the destruction of 279 VI flying bombs. These achievements earned the prefix Royal that was conferred by King George VI in 1947.

While the RAuxAF has been active according to the nation’s requirements on many occasions since the Second World War, their contribution has increased dramatically in the last two decades. The Aeromedical and Movements Squadrons were involved in action in the 1991 Gulf War and in other locations in the UK and overseas. In the 2003 invasion of Iraq more than 900 members of the RAuxAF were called into full time service to support RAF operations in Cyprus, Kuwait, Iraq, the Falkland Islands and the UK.

Eligibility

To join the RAuxAF as an aircraftman or woman you need to:
• Be between 17½ and 50 (Parental consent needed if under 18 and ex-RAF can apply up to 55)
• Pass the RAuxAF fitness and medical test
• There are no formal qualifications needed except for technical roles
• Have been a citizen of the UK, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland since birth and were born in the UK or what is, or was at the time, a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland. Also, you should have lived in the UK for the five years immediately before your application. Candidates, whether or not they are of UK origin, should normally have resided in the UK for the 5 years immediately preceding their application. Some exceptions may apply and some trades have tighter nationality rules.

Most people join the RAuxAF as an aircraftman or woman. If you want to join as an officer you need to have previous service experience or have specialist qualifications for specific vacancies within the RAuxAF. However there are good promotion opportunities for people with the right skills, qualities, qualifications and commitment.

Army, Air Force, Navy, the Royal Marines or even the Special Forces? Read the information and take your pick. What will you be doing with your weekends in future?

Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR and RAuxAF) Eligibility

Next:

Royal Air Force Reserve: What commitment is involved?

Royal Air Force Reserve Training

Royal Air Force Reserve Pay Scales

Other units:

Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)

Royal Marines Reserve (RMR)

Territorial Army (TA)

The Special Forces Reserve

If you don’t think that the above hold enough of a challenge for you there is always the Special Forces Reserve. Couch potatoes need not apply! If you’re feeling strong, focused and determined enough you can find out more information in the SAS: Special Forces Section.

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