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TSR Wiki > Careers > Career Options > Armed Forces Careers > The Royal Air Force > Senior Commanders, Eligibility, Contacting the RAF

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Contents 1 Who is 'in charge' of the RAF? 2 What are the eligibility requirements for joing the RAF? 2.1 Diversity 2.2 Nationality 2.3 Residency 2.4 Court appearances and convictions 2.5 Drugs 2.6 Health and fitness 2.7 Service 3 How Can I contact the RAF? 4 Also See

Who is 'in charge' of the RAF?

• Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) - Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup GCB AFC ADC DSc FRAeS FCMI RAF

• Vice Chief of the Defense Staff (VCDS) - General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman GBE KCB ADC Gen

The Royal Air Force is headed by a group of Senior Commanders. They are as follows:

• Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) - Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy

• Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (ACAS) - Air Vice-Marshal 'Timo' Anderson

• Commander-in-Chief Strike Command (CINCSTC) - Air Chief Marshal Sir Joe French

• Deputy Commander-in-Chief Strike Command (DCINCSTC) - Air Marshal C R Loader

Updated May 2007

What are the eligibility requirements for joing the RAF?

This information is only a guide, and is subject to change from time to time. Please call the RAF enquiry line on 0845 605 **** or contact an Armed Forces Careers Office if you need further assistance.

Diversity

The Royal Air Force values every individual's unique contribution irrespective of race, ethnic origin, religion, gender sexual orientation or social background.

Your application will be rejected if you are, or have been, a member or supporter of, or associated with, any group or organisation whose purpose includes incitement to racial hatred and violence.

All branches and trades are open to both men and women. However, for reasons of combat effectiveness, the RAF Regiment is open to men only.

Nationality

For most RAF jobs, you must have been a citizen of the UK, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland – or holder of dual British/other nationality – since birth.

For security reasons there are extra nationality requirements for some jobs. These requirements may change to reflect the international situation. You will find details of specific nationality requirements in each relevant job file.

For a few branches and trades, the nationality of your parents is also important. In exceptional circumstances, it is possible that some individuals who do not meet these requirements exactly could still be considered for service.

If you are unsure about your eligibility you can call the RAF enquiry line on 0845 605 **** or visit an Armed Forces Careers Office.

Residency

Candidates, whether or not they are of UK origin, should normally have resided in the UK for the 5 years immediately preceding their application. However, provided satisfactory enquiries can be made in your country of residence, we may be able to consider an application even if you have never lived in the UK.

If you are unsure about your eligibility you can call the RAF enquiry line on 0845 605 **** or visit an Armed Forces Careers Office.

Court appearances and convictions

If you are awaiting a court appearance, in any other capacity other than as a witness, you may not be eligible to apply until the outcome of the hearing is known.

Spent and unspent convictions (including prison, young offenders institution or probation) for certain types of offence, may mean that you are ineligible to apply to join certain branches or trades in the Royal Air Force. If you have any queries regarding this restriction, please seek advice from an Armed Forces Careers Office.

Applications will not be accepted from ex-Service personnel who were discharged for disciplinary reasons.

Drugs

Random compulsory drug testing is practised in the Royal Air Force. If you are a habitual user of illegal substances, you will not be eligible to apply.

Health and fitness

The Royal Air Force requires all recruits to be medically fit to serve worldwide. New entrants undergo intensive training that is both physically and mentally demanding. Accordingly, they must be fit and free from disease or pre-existing injury to meet this challenge.

If your application is accepted, you will be required to pass an occupational health assessment. This is to ensure you meet the minimum level of health and fitness.

Before you are examined by a medical officer, you will be asked to declare certain information about your medical history to identify conditions for which rejection is automatic. Please note that your application will be rejected if:

1. You suffer from Epilepsy, Diabetes, Colitis, gastric disorders or Crohns Disease (or any other long standing bowel disorder).
2. You have had your spleen removed.
3. You have had a detached retina or corneal transplant, or had Incisional Keratectomy (i.e. Radial or Astigmatic Keratectomy). However, refractive error corrective surgery may not necessarily prevent you from joining the Royal Air Force.
4. You suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, or any other bone or joint disorder.
5. You suffer from hay fever causing severe symptoms or wheezing.
6. You suffer or have suffered from Asthma in the last 4 years. However, if you have been diagnosed previously as suffering from asthma but have remained symptom-free for a continuous 4-year period, you may be considered for RAF ground service but not aircrew.
7. You have a chronic eye condition.
8. You suffer from severe headaches or migraine.

The above list is not exhaustive and you may find that your application is rejected due to other medical conditions that, although not listed above, are subject to the discretion of the examining doctor or Service medical authorities.

Service

You must be aware that, should you be selected to join the RAF, you may be required to serve anywhere in the world.

How Can I contact the RAF?

If you wish to apply to the RAF, or indeed any of the armed forces then your first step is to go to your local Armed Forces Careers office for information. The number and address for your local office can be found in the phone book.

If you wish to get in touch with OASC, then the address is as follows:

Royal Air Force College
Cranwell,
Sleaford,
Lincolnshire
NG34 8HB,
United Kingdom

If you wish to call a central number regarding careers information:

0845 605 ****

If you wish to get in touch with the Ministry of Defense then the address is:

Ministerial Correspondance Unit
Ministry of Defence
Floor 5, Zone A
Main Building
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB

Also See

Why not read these other RAF Articles?

• RAF - How to Join and Preparing for Interviews
• RAF - NCO vs Officer
• RAF - Roles, Ranks and Joint Operations
• See All RAF Articles