A variety of exciting roles awaits warfare ratings within the Fleet Air Arm; from hunting submarines and despatching commandos, to controlling our aircraft on radar or marshalling on the flight deck.
Start your application
As part of your application process, we’ll help you find the most suitable role based on your skills and experience.
Register interestYou’ll train to be an expert in one of three roles and where a high level of responsibility comes as standard. Wherever you are in the world, you will be part of a team safely operating or supporting, state-of-the-art aviation, and keeping our operations on track.
What you will get paid from day one
Salary as you progress through your career
Since I joined the Royal Navy I’ve been part of some major operations, from the Caribbean to the Persian Gulf. People of all ranks respect my opinion, which means I’m always involved in each mission.
Lloyd
Warfare Rating Professional (Aviation)
Joining as a Warfare (Aviation) Rating in the Royal Navy is a challenging and exhilarating career. You'll be at the heart of aviation operations, ensuring success and safety across three vital roles. As an Aircraft Controller, you’ll play a pivotal role in frontline aviation, keeping operations on track as the on-board expert advising Command with tactical insight. As Aircrewman, you’ll detect enemy submarines or support Royal Marine missions. As a Naval Airman Aircraft Handler, you’ll manage sea-capable aircraft, including the cutting-edge F-35B Lightning on Queen Elizabeth class carriers.
10 weeks at HMS Raleigh, learning basic military skills. After phase one training you will spend the next few months developing your professional skills and knowledge across a range of courses intertwined within your Leading Aircraft Controller’s Qualifying Course (LACPQC)
In the first 10 weeks at HMS Collingwood you will learn all about the on-board Command System and how to operate and transmit on radios and receive basic Leadership training during ARLC and learn how to survive life at sea.
Your next phase of training will be carried out at the Royal Navy School of Aircraft Control (RNSAC) located within RNAS Yeovilton (Somerset). For the next 15 weeks, you will learn the basics of controlling an Air System.
Once you have mastered these basics the tempo of training will increase and you will return to HMS Collingwood for a further 14 weeks to complete your final phase of the course within the Aviation Training Element (AvTE) at the Maritime Warfare School (MWS) (in Portsmouth),
Once qualified as a controller, attention will be focused on the Leadership aspect of your role on board. This is where attendance at the Royal Navy Leadership Academy (RNLA – located within HMS Collingwood) is essential. This four-week intense Leadership course will help you build upon what leadership skills you have gained thus far and apply them into different and more challenging/dynamic situations to adequately prepare you to be an effective Leading Hand employed onboard His Majesty’s Frigate or Destroyer at sea on completion.
From picking your profession to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.
Find the right profession and entry level for you, make sure you meet the basic eligibility criteria, and register your interest online.
Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email with more details about your chosen profession, along with an invitation to speak with our friendly recruitment team about any questions or concerns you might have.
Your email will include a link to the full application form. Once you’re happy to proceed, simply complete it online. It takes about 15 minutes and you’ll need to provide some basic information, including any medical conditions or criminal convictions.
When you apply for a role in the Royal Navy, we’ll ask you to complete an online psychometric assessment. These tests allow us to assess your aptitude in a way that is consistent, fair, and transparent. They are designed to measure your suitability and how well your abilities align with the careers we offer.
Being prepared will help you perform at your best. The Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) includes six multiple-choice tests, each focusing on different skills. To get ready, you can use our practice tests as often as you like to build familiarity and confidence before taking the real assessment.
A formal Selection Interview to confirm suitability of your chosen Profession followed by discussion of your preferred roles that are available within that Profession, including Submarine Service It will also cover the initial stages of the Security application. This is normally conducted using your own device over the Shine video platform.
Learn more about the interview.
The number of sub-tests within the CBAT depends specifically on which role you're applying for. For example, if you're looking to become a Aircrewman or AC, the CBAT would include some of the relevant tests to assess the skills needed in this role. This could include the colours, letters, and numbers test, the sensory-motor apparatus test, the situational awareness test, and many more. You'll be given further detail by your Royal Navy contact as to which tests you'll be taking.
The test itself is taken at RAF Cranwell.
This is conducted at one of our Candidate Preparation Centres and will include a Fitness and Medical Assessment.
Once you’ve passed all eligibility criteria, including a Security Check, you’ll be offered a place at HMS Raleigh to commence your initial training. Allocation to a specific role within your chosen profession will occur during the latter part of initial training.
Find your place in the Royal Navy. Make friends for life, learn new skills and experience the world.
Our virtual recruiter is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day