General FAQs

Q. What does the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) do?

A. The RAuxAF is a fully functioning element of the Royal Air Force, playing a vital role in the nation's defence and peacekeeping operations, both at home and abroad. It is staffed by part-time, voluntary personnel and provides an essential element of the RAF's capability.

Q. What is the relationship between the RAuxAF and the Regular RAF?

A. The UK's requirement is that reserve forces be, relevant, usable and integrated. The RAuxAF exists to support the RAF as part of a total force concept. Reservists when working alongside their regular counterparts should be indistinguishable.

Eligibility FAQs

Q. Am I too old or too young to join?

A. You need to be at least 171/2 years old in order to join the RAuxAF. The upper age limit depends on what you have to offer but it is normally 50 for those without previous military experience and 55 for those with previous service.

Q. What if I have a criminal record?

A. This depends on what the conviction was for, how long ago it was and so on. Ask your local unit about how it will affect your application.

Q. Do I need any qualifications to join?

A. There is no minimum academic standard required to join the RAuxAF. However some specialist elements of the force, for example the Medical Services will normally require the relevant specialist skills and qualifications. The Intelligence Squadrons do have a minimum requirement of 5 GCSE at grade c or above.

Q. Do I have to be British to join?

A. You need to have been a citizen of the UK, a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland at all times since birth and should normally have lived in the UK for at least five years, preferably immediately prior to any application to join you make.

Pay and Benefits FAQs

Q. How much will I get paid for training?

A. During normal training you will be paid at the same basic daily rate as airmen and airwomen of your rank in the Regular RAF. This ranges from £30.96 for an airman/airwomen to £102.51 as a squadron leader. Should you be compulsorily mobilised additional remuneration may be available. 

Q. What is the Annual Bounty?

A. In addition to your basic pay you will also receive an Annual Bounty, a tax-free lump sum paid out on completion of your minimum training requirement (including passing basic military tests). The amount of your bounty normally starts at £382 in your first year rising to £1,506 after five years satisfactory service.

Q. Will I have the opportunity for foreign travel?

A. In recent years, members of the RAuxAF have travelled all over the world on operational tours, exercises and adventurous training. However, while there are opportunities to travel, this shouldn't be your primary reason for joining the RAuxAF. We can't guarantee that you will get that chance.

Q. Is the RAuxAF a particularly social organisation?

A. Yes, very much so. You will find plenty of opportunities to let your hair down with your colleagues, from formal balls to informal parties and barbecues.

Q. Will being in the RAuxAF improve my employability?

A. It will undoubtedly give you that chance. Many of the skills and qualities you will get from training in the RAuxAF, such as negotiation, team working, communication, leadership, management and confidence, are transferable across all jobs and work places. In addition you will have the chance to develop specific skills and earn certain qualifications that may be relevant to how you carry out your civilian work.

Training and Fitness FAQs

Q. When and how will I train?

A. For some units training takes place during weekday evening sessions, regular weekend exercises and two-week annual training camps. Others meet merely at weekends and during the two-week annual training. It involves both theoretical and practical learning in classrooms as well as out in the field.

Q. Do I have to be very fit?

A. You don't need to be a gifted athlete to cope with the demands of RAuxAF training. However, you do need a certain basic level of good health and fitness and, more importantly, the willingness to improve by working at fitness in your own time.

Q. What will I learn in the way of skills and qualifications?

A. RAuxAF training will give you the opportunity to develop a wealth of practical trade skills relevant to both your civilian and RAuxAF jobs. In many cases this can result in the award of recognisable civilian qualifications. For example, many of our members enjoy having the chance to expand on their driving licences to include HGVs and motorcycles. You will of course also develop less tangible qualities such as confidence and leadership, which are equally applicable to your professional and personal lives.

Q. Why does the RAuxAF train its members in adventurous and sporting activities?

A. While it may look like the perfect excuse to have fun, activities such as climbing, skiing, football, abseiling and canoeing have a serious side too. We believe that they are ideal ways of developing fitness, team working skills and confidence, making them perfect complements to the more military aspect of RAuxAF training.

Commitment, Employment and Mobilisation FAQs

Q. How much time do I have to commit to the RAuxAF?

A. The RAuxAF is aware of other commitments in your life and as such is prepared to be flexible in its demands on your time. Generally speaking you are required to complete a minimum of 27 days training each year. You can of course do a lot more than this as your preferences and circumstances allow.

Q. Can I leave at any time?

A. When you first join you sign on for five years. You can apply to leave at any time during this period and after but we strongly recommend that you think carefully about your level of determination and commitment before applying to join. You should bear in mind that if mobilisation is underway it is unlikely that an application to leave will be granted.

Q. Should I inform my employer if I'm thinking of joining the RAuxAF?

A. All new members joining the RAUXAF will be expected to inform their employer accordingly either personally or through their unit. This process, which is called Employer Notification, has been adopted because it is important for all concerned - you, your employer and the MOD - that your employer is supportive and aware of the associated benefits, rights and obligations of employing a member of the RAuxAF. Further information on Employer Notification can be obtained from www.en.mod.uk .

Q. Will I be called up to go to war?

A. By joining the RAuxAF you indicate that you are prepared to take part in active service, whatever its nature, and there are circumstances under which you may be compulsorily mobilised.

Q. If I am called up, will my civilian job be protected?

A. If you are compulsorily mobilised, there are procedures for you to follow to protect your job. If you volunteer for an attachment to the regular RAF then this will usually be in agreement with your employer. Under the Reserve Forces Act 1996, in the event of mobilisation, employers and employees have the right to seek exemption or deferral in certain circumstances

Q. If I am called up, what if I earn more in my civilian job than in the RAuxAF? Will I receive compensation?

A. If you are mobilised and we take you away from a civilian job that pays more, we will top up your military salary within predetermined limits. 

Next Steps FAQs.

Q. What is the recruitment process?

A. On receipt of your enquiry form you will be contacted by the unit with further details and an invitation to visit the squadron for a look at life in the RAuxAF. If you wish to pursue the application you will be invited to visit the unit for interview. If your application is successful you will then have to undergo a two-week Basic Recruit Course (BRC) which covers a variety of Basic Military Skills including weapon handing and live firing, First Aid, General Service Knowledge, Fieldcraft, Physical fitness training etc.