Profession details
What you could do
Joining as a Warfare (Aviation) Rating in the Royal Navy is a challenging and exhilarating career. You'll be at the heart of aviation operations, ensuring success and safety across three vital roles. As an Aircraft Controller, you'll play a pivotal role in frontline aviation, keeping operations on track as the on-board expert advising Command with tactical insight. As Aircrewman, you'll detect enemy submarines or support Royal Marine missions. As a Naval Airman Aircraft Handler, you'll manage sea-capable aircraft, including the cutting-edge F-35B Lightning on Queen Elizabeth class carriers.
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 a rating.
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)
You'll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension. You will need to attempt all sections of the DAA.
To help you prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Step 3
Interview
A formal Selection Interview to confirm suitability of your chosen Profession followed by 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 Aircrewman or AC, the CBAT would include some 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
Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, which includes assessments of your Fitness and your Medical eligibility, it is a pass or fail course.
Step 6
Start training
Once you've passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you'll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh to commence your initial training. Allocation to a specific role within your chosen profession will occur during the latter part of initial training.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where these roles can take you.
Aircraft Controller
Aircrewman
Naval Airman Aircraft Handler
What you could do
Joining as a Warfare (Aviation) Rating in the Royal Navy is a challenging and exhilarating career. You'll be at the heart of aviation operations, ensuring success and safety across three vital roles. As an Aircraft Controller, you'll play a pivotal role in frontline aviation, keeping operations on track as the on-board expert advising Command with tactical insight. As Aircrewman, you'll detect enemy submarines or support Royal Marine missions. As a Naval Airman Aircraft Handler, you'll manage sea-capable aircraft, including the cutting-edge F-35B Lightning on Queen Elizabeth class carriers.
Your role
- In any role, you will work with sophisticated aircraft in all environments
- As an Aircraft Controller, you gain qualifications enabling work with helicopters, the P8 Poseidon and, F-35 Lightning. You will be an expert, using your skills, expertise and knowledge and tactical insight to deliver flying briefs and, offer advice to the ship's Command/Aviation teams to ensure mission success, including with NATO and international partners around the world
- Aircrewmen will become sonics experts to hunt for submarines or, operate with Royal Marine Commandos
- As an Aircraft Handler, you will marshal helicopters and Lightning Strike aircraft around our busy flight decks
- A starting salary of at least £25,200
- Earn over £62,073 as your career progresses
- Six weeks of paid holiday every year
- Subsidised food, travel and accommodation
- Excellent pension scheme
Qualifications you'll gain
- (All roles) Chartered Management Institute Level 3 qualification in Coaching & Mentoring with the opportunity for Level 5 as your career progresses; opportunity to gain human factors qualifications; funding for qualifications of your choice
- (Aircraft Controller) Apprenticeship Level 3 in Data Information Management; Foundation degree in Airspace Management by successfully completing JATCC)
- (Aircrewman - ASW) Foundation degree in Aircraft Systems Management.
- Regardless of age, background or educational achievement each branch will support you every step of the way, allowing you to grow confidence, your multi-tasking ability, master communication and leadership skills, and realise your full potential. It's never too early or late to live life to the full and experience challenges
- You'll need to be aged 16 to 39
- No qualifications are required for this role
- 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 CBAT, Specialist Aviation Medical at OASC, RAF Cranwell
- To be independent and adaptable
- To be out going, committed and driven
- A high level of spatial awareness
- A passion for aviation
- An adventurous spirit
From picking your profession to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
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)
You'll be tested on: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension. You will need to attempt all sections of the DAA.
To help you prepare, you can practise the DAA.
Step 3
Interview
A formal Selection Interview to confirm suitability of your chosen Profession followed by 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 Aircrewman or AC, the CBAT would include some 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
Candidate Preparation Course (CPC)
This is a four-day induction to life in the Royal Navy, which includes assessments of your Fitness and your Medical eligibility, it is a pass or fail course.
Step 6
Start training
Once you've passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you'll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh to commence your initial training. Allocation to a specific role within your chosen profession will occur during the latter part of initial training.
Career Progression
From responsibilities to pay, find out where these roles can take you.
Aircraft Controller
Aircrewman
Naval Airman Aircraft Handler