RAF Regiment Gunner – Full Time Career with Apprenticeship
Royal Air Force
Apprenticeship summary
The RAF Regiment is a highly specialised force with responsibility for providing Force Protection to enable and support air operations. Specialists in ground combat operations, the RAF Regiment contributes to the defence of RAF airfields in the UK and overseas, Forward Air Controlling, ceremonial duties, and support to Special Forces operations.
Closing date: August 30, 2025
Intermediate
- As a RAF Regiment Gunner, you will become a specialist in dismounted close combat tactics, fieldcraft and how air operations are conducted
- You will learn to operate a wide variety of weapon systems including individual weapons through to machine guns and anti-tank systems as well as an impressive array of state-of-the-art surveillance systems designed to help you locate the enemy and stop them from interfering with air operations
- Additionally, there are opportunities to learn how to operate and employ a range of armoured vehicles required to enable rapid mobility to protect RAF assets
- Within your first few years, you will almost certainly be deployed on an overseas operations or exercises to locations including Canada, Cyprus, Middle East, and Africa
- On successful completion of the application and selection process, your apprenticeship will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire
- The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you’ll also learn about the RAF lifestyle
- Upon successful completion of BRTC you will move to RAF Honington, Suffolk. Here you will complete your specialist Gunner training course (Phase 2) which will last for approximately 20 weeks
- You will be taught how to operate and use weapons in a professional manner and learn how to survive and fight in all environmental conditions
- The course includes navigation, dismounted close combat tactics, field craft and physical training. RAF Regiment training is a test of character, determination, and your will to succeed. By the end of the course, you will be at peak physical fitness and have learnt to operate effectively regardless of the environment
- To give you the confidence to overcome any situation you may encounter whilst on operations, the training is deliberately tough. Where eligible, you will be enrolled onto a Level 2 National Level Apprenticeship, HM Forces Service Person (Protective Services)
- Prior to starting your first squadron tour you will spend a further period undertaking specialist employment courses which include driver training and further advanced weapon training
- As your career progresses, we will continue to train you in new skills
- There will be opportunities to learn specialist combat medical skills, undertake management and leadership training, NVQs, GCSEs and A levels. In addition, you will have the chance to gain qualifications in adventurous sports such as mountaineering, rock climbing, skiing, sailing, and canoeing and for you to lead training as an Endurance Training Leader
- There are a wide range of jobs available to an RAF Regiment Gunner including Forward Air Controller, Support to Special Forces and Instructional and ceremonial duties
Employer
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force work with our UK and international partners to watch the skies, respond to threats, prevent conflict, and provide assistance in an uncertain world. We provide all personnel with a varied range of training and activities to make sure you're ready for anything. A career in the Royal Air Force will provide you with a whole host of possibilities. You will receive world class training, allowing you to learn and develop throughout your career. We recruit throughout the year, so please ignore the closing and start dates.
Training
ROYAL AIR FORCE
Apprenticeship standard:HM forces serviceperson (protective services) (level 2)
