RAuxAF Command Warrant Officer

Task requirements

A vacancy has arisen for a Warrant Officer (any Profession) to serve as RAuxAF Command Warrant Officer at RAF Cranwell on Additional Duties Commitment (120 day) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date not before 01 August 2026, noting the requirement to undertake mandatory command and staff training in advance (negotiable subject to mandatory training and courses).

The RAuxAF Inspectorate (RAuxAF Insp) represents the volunteer reservist cadre at Command level to ensure its support and welfare needs are met, while promoting volunteer reservist utility within a Whole Force.  The Cmd WO is an executive WO appointment, the most senior within the RAF Reserve Forces reporting directly to the Commandant General RAuxAF & Director RAF Reserves (CG RAuxAF & D Res) and Inspector RAuxAF (Insp RAuxAF), and mirrors the role of the Chief of the Air Staff WO of the RAF (CAS WO RAF) to advise on matters concerning personnel of the Royal Air Force Reserve Forces, whether full-time or part-time.

The post is responsible for:

1.    Reporting to the CG RAuxAF & Director RAF Reserves and Insp RAuxAF and be responsible for general support to the RAuxAF Insp in promoting and protecting the interests of the RAF Reserves, to the mutual benefit of the Whole Force.

2.    Promoting an understanding of the RAuxAF and all RAF Reserves: it’s Sqns, capabilities, performance, plans, regulations, processes, employer issues, history, traditions and ethos throughout the RAF and the wider defence and civilian communities.

Tasks and responsibilities are summarised as:

3.    Serve on a 120-day ADC based from the RAuxAF Insp office, RAF Cranwell, but with remote working options, and may be required to report to HQ Air Command on a monthly basis; and will be required to undertake weekend and evening work in order to carry out duties.

4.    Maintaining via regular engagement with Cmd WOs, Sqn WOs, PTVR, FTRS, VERR and ADC personnel, the gathering of formal and informal views on current issues and identifying and sharing opportunities and good practice and provide findings to the CG RAuxAF & D Res and Inspector RAuxAF.

5.    Promoting the highest standards of drill, dress, deportment and etiquette for all RAuxAF units.  

6.    Lead for all RAuxAF support for State, RAF and RAuxAF Ceremonial.

7.    Delivering presentations in order to educate and develop personnel within the Whole Force and broaden awareness of RAuxAF and RAF Reserves utility.  

8.    Providing RAuxAF specific support to CAS WO RAF and attending CAS WO RAF weekly Gp WOs and Stn WOs meetings quarterly meetings.

9.    Mentoring RAuxAF Sqn WOs and other personnel within their AoR as directed.

10.   Maintaining the Sovereign’s Colour and Colour record of loan book.  Supervision of the correct handling and safe custody of the Sovereign’s Colour and accompanying ceremonial accoutrements.

11.   Assisting the Inspector in supporting the RAuxAF HAC cadre.

12.   Assisting in the selection and appointment of RAuxAF Sqn WO’s and the CAB process.

Essential competencies

• Must have been, or currently be a substantive RAuxAF WO.
• Previous service as a RAuxAF Sqn WO on a RAuxAF unit.
• Graduate of the Warrant Officers’ Higher Management Leadership Course (HMLC) prior to appointment.
• Attendance of Intermediate Officer programme’, Shrivenham Defence College prior to appointment.
• Attendance at the Defence Senior Enlisted Leaders Programme (DSELP) prior to appointment.
• Have strong communication inter-personal, and IT skills.
• Have a broad knowledge of the RAF, the RAF Reserve Forces, their organisation and roles.
• Drill instructor qualified.

Desirable competencies

• Have previous experience of working with the Reserve Forces related operational and training matters, and how they can be utilised to augment operations.
• Have completed a period of mobilised or operational service.
• Have a very good knowledge of Service Writing and reporting.
• Confidence in public speaking and briefing Senior Leadership in the RAF and other services.
• To have experience of working in a joint environment.

Selection Process

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 (for aviators)/4 (for officers) appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name:  Sqn Ldr Emma Jenkins, RAuxAF Inspectorate COS

Email: Emma.Jenkins348@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

RAuxAF Inspectorate COS

The closing date for applications is 27 June 2025.

Date of Interviews is tbc.

Additional information

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Additional Duties Commitment TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 4 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB.