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There are over 175,000 fully trained personnel in the Armed Forces, according to the Ministry of Defence. And there are an equally impressive number of different job roles that you can do. While we cannot do into detail in all of them we have highlighted the most common career paths that new entrants into the Armed Forces will follow.
Following initial officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (for the Army), Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth or Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, you will be posted to your chosen regiment or corps, ship, or squadron or station where you will undertake specialist command training before being given your first command. From here your career will follow a structured path that will be geared towards being granted command of an entire unit by the time you turn 40 years old.
To proceed along this path you have a choice of one of four main roles: operational officer, technical officer, training and education officer, or logistics/support/administration officer.
Operational Officers are those who lead the troops from the frontline, directing and orchestrating technically advanced fighting systems on land, sea and in the air as well as commanding personnel.
Technical Officers are specialists whose job it is to ensure that the lines of communication are maintained and all equipment – aircraft, ships, land vehicles and associated weapons systems – are operational in both peacetime and during battle.
Training and education officers will provide continued education and training support for all ranks – from apprentices to senior officers. One minute you could be assessing learning needs and teaching in subjects such as engineering or military studies, the next you may find yourself at the heart of a local community acting as a translator.
Logistics/support/administration officers are the backbone of the operation. Just as organisations need people who work in IT, finance, HR or administrative roles, the armed services are no exception.
Typically you will remain in one of these roles for the first three to five years of your career before progressing through the ranks to Second Lieutenant, Midshipman/Ensign, or Pilot Officer within the Army, Navy and RAF respectively.
The contribution made by the Reserve Forces cannot be underestimated, with the regular reserve forces and the volunteer reserve forces making up almost 10% of Britain’s total armed services. The former is made up of ex-servicemen whilst the latter consists of volunteer civilians who make up the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, Territorial Army (TA), and Royal Auxiliary Air Force. The TA is the largest of the Reserve Forces and likes its partners it provides an alternative route into the regular armed forces, first as an Officer Cadet, then Junior Under Officer before becoming Senior Under Officer.
Wondering what to do now? Check out our expert career advice, or find out more about working in the Armed Forces.