Profession details
What you could do
Joining as a Warfare (Aviation) Officer in the Royal Navy can, literally, take your career to new heights in highly cross-functional professions. Working with the most advanced aircraft in the world either as aircrew or, as an air traffic controller, you will lead operate to your physical and mental limits to deliver safely and successfully on operations. This is a highly cross-functional profession that will see you working with several teams at once to ensure our missions fly high.
Your role
Qualifications you'll gain
From picking your profession to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as an officer.
Step 1
Submit an application
Once you've registered your interest in a Profession, and have satisfied some basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form.
Step 2
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
Depending on Profession applied for and professionally qualified status, you'll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Step 3
Interview
A Career Interview to talk through suitability of your chosen Profession and discussion of your preferred roles that are available within that Profession, including Submarine service. It will also cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.
Step 4
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
The number of sub-tests within the CBAT depends specifically on which role you're applying for. For example, if you're looking to become a pilot, the CBAT would include all of the relevant tests to assess the skills needed in this role. This could include the colours, letters, and numbers test, the sensory-motor apparatus test, the situational awareness test, and many more. You'll be given further detail by your Royal Navy contact as to which tests you'll be taking.
The test itself is taken at RAF Cranwell.
Step 5
Medical and Fitness Assessments
This is conducted at one of our Candidate Preparation Centres and will include a Fitness and Medical Assessment.
Step 6
Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
The AIB is conducted online and made up of two assessments, . A Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI) online assessment that assesses your awareness and motivation to join the Royal Navy as an officer. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage online competency-based assessment which will take place approximately 3 weeks after the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment, and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance.
Step 7
Start training
Once you've passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you'll be offered a place at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) to commence your initial training.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where these roles can take you.
Air Traffic Control Officer
Observer
Pilot
What you could do
Joining as a Warfare (Aviation) Officer in the Royal Navy can, literally, take your career to new heights in highly cross-functional professions. Working with the most advanced aircraft in the world either as aircrew or, as an air traffic controller, you will lead operate to your physical and mental limits to deliver safely and successfully on operations. This is a highly cross-functional profession that will see you working with several teams at once to ensure our missions fly high.
Your role
- Operate (Pilot/Observer) modern aircraft and their weapon systems to achieve a range of missions
- As an ATCO as sea in an aircraft carrier or air station, control and monitor the safety of, helicopters and jets under your watch; by using knowledge of sophisticated radar and communication systems kit and an understanding of your environment, give concise instructions
- (All) Use attuned communication and management skills to lead your team
- A starting salary in excess of £33,000
- Rising beyond £41,000 after two years
- Accelerated training and responsibility from day one
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Free medical and dental care
- Subsidised travel and accommodation
- Adventurous training
- Excellent pension scheme
Qualifications you'll gain
- Study for GCSEs, A-Levels, NVQs or even a degree, with funding from us
- Gain specialist vocational qualifications
- Gain a Foundation Degree in Aviation Systems Manager or Airspace Management on completion of professional training and a BSc(Hons) on the Front Line
- A multitude of skills to operate state-of-the-art air systems or the equipment to monitor the airspace keeping them safe
- The art of effective communication and decision-making in high-pressure situations
- You must be aged 18 to 34 (dependent on specialisation)
- You'll need a minimum of 72 UCAS points. These can be accrued from either GCE A/AS Levels (or equivalent) or National Diplomas (e.g., BTEC)
- You'll need at least 5 GCSEs at grades A*-C (9-4) (or Scottish equivalent), which must include English language and Mathematics
- You must be a United Kingdom national, or Commonwealth citizen, or Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply.
- Minimum height of 151.5cm
- A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
- Must pass Computer Based Aptitude Tests (CBAT). Specialist Aviation Medical at OASC, RAF Cranwell post AIB
- Able to thrive on responsibility
- A confident leader
- A passion for working as part of a team
- Calm under pressure
- Able to concentrate for long periods of time
From picking your profession to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as an officer.
Step 1
Submit an application
Once you've registered your interest in a Profession, and have satisfied some basic eligibility criteria, you will be sent an online application form.
Step 2
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA)
Depending on Profession applied for and professionally qualified status, you'll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Step 3
Interview
A Career Interview to talk through suitability of your chosen Profession and discussion of your preferred roles that are available within that Profession, including Submarine service. It will also cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.
Step 4
Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
The number of sub-tests within the CBAT depends specifically on which role you're applying for. For example, if you're looking to become a pilot, the CBAT would include all of the relevant tests to assess the skills needed in this role. This could include the colours, letters, and numbers test, the sensory-motor apparatus test, the situational awareness test, and many more. You'll be given further detail by your Royal Navy contact as to which tests you'll be taking.
The test itself is taken at RAF Cranwell.
Step 5
Medical and Fitness Assessments
This is conducted at one of our Candidate Preparation Centres and will include a Fitness and Medical Assessment.
Step 6
Admiralty Interview Board (AIB)
The AIB is conducted online and made up of two assessments, . A Pre-Recorded Interview (PRI) online assessment that assesses your awareness and motivation to join the Royal Navy as an officer. The Group Planning Exercise (GPE) is the second stage online competency-based assessment which will take place approximately 3 weeks after the PRI. It will be conducted in a virtual group environment, and you will be assessed on your contribution to the team based on your individual performance.
Step 7
Start training
Once you've passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you'll be offered a place at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) to commence your initial training.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where these roles can take you.
Air Traffic Control Officer
Observer
Pilot