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RAF regiment gunner

RAF regiment gunners specialise in combat tactics, weaponry and fieldcraft to defend RAF bases and overseas air operations.

Annual Salary

£25,000 to £36,000

Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

variable

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; away from home

0.2%
Future employment

There will be 0.2% fewer RAF regiment gunner jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As an RAF regiment gunner, your duties will depend on your job. You could:

  • defend airfields in the UK and overseas
  • train other RAF personnel in defensive military skills
  • support Special Forces units
  • specialise in dismounted close combat
  • operate a variety of weapons and surveillance systems

Working environment

You could work at a military base, on operations around the world or in a warzone.

Your working environment may be physically and emotionally demanding.

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
Apprenticeship

You could apply to join the RAF as a regiment gunner. You would be enrolled onto the HM Forces Serviceperson (Protective Services) Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, following initial training.

Direct application

You can apply directly to be an RAF regiment gunner.

No formal qualifications are required.

You will need to be aged between 16 and 47 but applications can be submitted from age 15 years and 9 months.

If your application is accepted, you'll be invited to talk to an adviser at your local armed forces careers office.

Applicants for the regiment gunner role will do both the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) and the Regiment Fitness Test on the Potential Gunner Selection Course (PGSC).

RAF Reserve

You can join the RAF Reserve as a regiment gunner

You'll need to:

  • be between 18 and 54
  • commit to at least 27 days a year
  • attend a 2-week residential training course each year, though this may not always be the case

Air Cadets

If you're between 13 and 17 years old, you can join the Air Cadets.

The skills you learn and experiences you gain will benefit you whatever career path you choose. Cadets have many opportunities, including UK and overseas camps, leadership courses and air experience flights.

Further information

You'll find more details about how to become a regiment gunner through RAF Recruitment.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

More information

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With experience, you could move up the ranks to sergeant or higher.

You could go into a wide range of careers once you leave the RAF. Your career choices will depend on the skills, training and qualifications you've gained during your service.

You can find details about support and opportunities from:Quest; Career Transition Partnership; Forces Employment Charity; | https://www.forcesemployment.org.uk/][Get Into Teaching

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • physical fitness and endurance
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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