Royal Air Force Pay & benefits reviews

Excellent career opportunities. Benefits aren’t what they used to be but still good option for young people maybe lacking in opportunities to gain a trade.

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Initially good

Senior Non Commissioned Officer (Former Employee) - Lincolnshire - 3 December 2023

When you are young this is prefect, housing, average wage, social and lots of travel. This lifestyle becomes difficult to maintain the older and more settled you become.

Pros

Travel

Cons

Extensive time away from family

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Insights into Royal Air Force

Based on 119 survey responses

What people like

Ability to learn new things
Supportive environment
Inclusive work environment

Best years of my adult life

RAF (Current Employee) - Stafford - 2 December 2023

Been in for a while, it’s a great place to work if you’re highly motivated and want to join one of the armed forces. However, it’s not for everyone. You do still go away depending on what career you go for and you do get used to the lifestyle. Overall great experience and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of joining.

Pros

Cheap accommodation and food, great benefits

Cons

Getting used to being away

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Starter Career

RAF Police (Former Employee) - Various - 22 November 2023

Good Starter career for an introduction into the security workspace, provided with accommodation and training helps younger workers. Unfortunately the MOD as a whole is losing a lot of its benefits.

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Fun place to work

Aircraft Fitter (Current Employee) - Brize Norton, Oxfordshire - 24 October 2023

Fun place to work, demanding and rewarding. Good rotation of jobs, no two days are the same. Great opportunity to travel and see the world. Secondary duties can be tedious.

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Good career

Regiment Gunner (Former Employee) - Lossiemouth, Moray - 2 October 2023

Good place to work, had a solid career. Lots of benefits such as gym and healthcare. Many opportunities for deployments and also to do adventure training across the UK or globe.

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Busy workplace

Aircraft Technician (Current Employee) - Lincoln, Lincolnshire - 5 August 2023

Busy and work is like a meat grinder, relentless jobs. The people make it and the camaraderie make the job worthwhile.Good leave allowance and benefits.

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Ok

Police Officer (Former Employee) - Portsmouth, Hampshire - 3 August 2023

It’s okay. Had a good time for my first few years and then it went down from there. Not everyone has this experience and as a whole it’s a good career

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Hit or miss

Regiment Gunner (Current Employee) - Lossiemouth, Moray - 26 July 2023

You’re either really busy with no down time or doing absolutely nothing for long periods. Weekends aren’t long enough to go home unless you live within 50 miles

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Not all it's cracked up to be

Professional Driver (Former Employee) - RAF CONINGSBY - 29 June 2023

Best job I've ever had, make no mistake. But research the trade you desirey before joining up. The AFCO will oversell all trades to get a signature.

Pros

Unbeatable salary for zero qualifications or experience.

Cons

You will take on the workload of serveral people around you.

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Is and can be great place to work

Lead Auditor (Former Employee) - East Sussex - 15 June 2023

Depends on role, location and management. There are jobs and roles that are great to work in and you get a sense of wellbeing and others where the management are on power trips. Bullying is rife and contrary to what is told in the media still exists. Now there is a new CAS things will improve and move in the right direction.

Pros

Good salary, good amount of time off

Cons

Can be long hours

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7 years service

RAF Police (Former Employee) - Lincoln, Lincolnshire - 14 June 2023

Great job! 7 years and I travelled the world. Promotion is good. Sport is so good to be apart of. Gets you out of extra duties!!

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Make the most of it

Electrical Technician (Former Employee) - Odiham, Hampshire - 11 June 2023

The Air Force is what you make of it, you have to be proactive to achieve and get the benefits that are promised. They are achievable with hard work and dedication. Do not choose a trade rashly, ask what you want from the Air Force and select a trade based on that. If you want to travel and see the world, don't go in as a chef. If you want a trade and a degree, don't go in the RAF Regiment.

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A decent quality of life

ASOS (Current Employee) - Benson, Oxfordshire - 5 May 2023

Gives you everything you need to live comfortably but overworks you. Working weekends, night shifts, national standbys etc make the low salary not worth it.

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Great organisation

Soldier (Former Employee) - Buckinghamshire - 18 April 2023

Get stuck in, poor salary but good allowance. I would not have left because medical problem. Line management could be an issue but the seniors are always listening

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Great culture

A/C Technician (Former Employee) - Marham - 5 April 2023

The RAF is a great institution. Train you well. Pay you well and pay you to have fun and learn too. Marham is a bit out in the sticks but plenty to do on camp if you want it

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Varied and Exciting

Engineering Manager (Former Employee) - High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire - 3 April 2023

Travel, camaraderie and excellent prospects to progress. Being away from home for months at al time can be hard but the job is at its best when deployed and the extra pay and leave helps make up for it on return.

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Excellent fulfilling career

ICT Technician (Former Employee) - Brize Norton, Oxfordshire - 28 March 2023

Just completed 24 years with the RAF. I have thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. Seen most of the world and absorbed many cultures. If you want the best training available, and unbeatable travel opportunities and all whilst getting paid, and a decent pension at the end.. Well the RAF is for you!!

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Great camp

Avionics Technician (Current Employee) - Waddington, Lincolnshire - 11 February 2023

Great place to work, being close to lincoln is a massive bonus. Work load is fantastic compared to fast jets. To be honest, Waddington is probably the only decent RAF camp in England for location.

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Take what you can from it

Avionics Technician (Current Employee) - Lossiemouth, Moray - 31 January 2023

Enjoy it while you can, long periods of time away from home but worth it to see the world and do a job you love. Accomodation and food halls need serious upgrades however

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Good

Engineer (Former Employee) - United Kingdom - 23 January 2023

Met some good lads, worked hard, travelled all over. Pay not great for what you do but free healthcare, dental, gym and cheap terrible mess food. Can get good experience / qualifications.

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