It's great that you're interested joining the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA). This is your opportunity to work with some of the world's most sophisticated military aircraft, on ships and air stations, all over the world.
Before you can get started, you'll need to complete your full application. We understand that can sometimes be tricky, but don't worry, we're here to help.
If you're struggling with your application, either due to a technical issue or because you're unsure what information to supply, we have a dedicated recruitment team who can provide all the advice and guidance you need. Just get in touch with us using the details below.
Life in the Fleet Air Arm is diverse, fast-paced, and packed with opportunities to progress. You'll be based at a Royal Naval Air Station for the majority of your service, but you'll also be deployed with your aircraft on board our state-of-the-art warships, including the new Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier. Finding it hard to imagine? There are serving personnel waiting to answer your questions.
Joining the service that provides the Royal Navy's essential aviation capabilities might seem a big deal. It is. But that doesn't mean you have to be the finished article as soon as you apply. If you come with the right attitude and motivation, we'll give you all the support you need to be a key part of the Fleet Air Arm.
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Your first step on the recruitment journey is to complete your full application form, which you can find in our Recruitment Portal. We have emailed you a link to the Recruitment Portal. If you can't find the link, please check your spam folder or give us a call so we can send it to you again.
Once you've submitted the application form on the Recruitment Portal, you can expect to receive a call from your local Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) to arrange your next steps. Depending on your circumstances, some stages may take longer than others. We’ll make sure that you are kept involved and informed throughout the whole recruitment and training process.
The Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) is a multiple-choice test that all recruits sit. It tests your general intellectual ability, and how well you do shows your capacity to cope with the technical and academic aspects of training for the role you've chosen.
We'll invite you to a formal interview to assess your suitability for a career in the Royal Navy, and specifically the role that you have chosen. This is much like any other job interview, so you should prepare accordingly and ask your AFCO for help if required.
Once you've been given an entry date, you'll need to attend assessments at either the Candidate Preparation Course (CPC) if you're applying as a rating, or the Admiralty Interview Board (AIB) if you're applying as an officer.
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.
The AIB is a competency-based assessment that confirms that you’re physically and mentally ready to become a Royal Navy Officer.
Once you've passed all the stages, you'll also need to pass a Security and Reference Check. After that you’ll be given details about your provisional place at either HMS Raleigh (if you're a rating), or Britannia Royal Naval College (if you're an officer). Your local AFCO will buy your train ticket to help you get there, provide some joining instructions, and tell you what kit you need. After Basic Training, you'll then begin the professional training that’s unique to your role.