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Armed forces logistics/support officer

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Logistics/support officers are responsible for the movement and supply of people, transport and equipment in the armed forces

As a logistics/support officer, your role is to keep the armed forces running smoothly by ensuring that they have the support, equipment and resources needed to perform their jobs safely and effectively. You can be involved in some or all of the following:

  • accountancy
  • administration and secretarial
  • human resources/personnel, training and development, pay and benefits
  • infrastructure and project management
  • IT and information management
  • security
  • stores and supplies.

You'll ensure the supply chain remains intact and that personnel are properly fed, paid, trained and equipped wherever they are in the world. Supplies can include clothing, ammunition, fuel, spare parts and tools, food and water.

Types of logistics/support officers in the armed forces

Job titles and roles vary slightly depending on the branch of the armed forces you work in:

What do logistics/support officers do?

You'll be in a command position and provide essential logistical support during peacetime, deployment, war, disaster relief and recovery.

If your role is focused on logistics, you'll manage elements of the whole supply chain. Alternatively, you may be involved in a broader support role, including HR, administration, finance, and staff welfare and support.

As an armed forces logistics/support officer, you'll typically need to:

  • assess supply priorities, plans and maintenance routines
  • source, purchase and store supplies such as food, equipment and fuel
  • plan, manage and organise the distribution of supplies worldwide so they are available when and where they are needed
  • manage resources to achieve complex tasks within budget
  • liaise with local governments overseas to source supplies
  • investigate and resolve the causes of any supply chain issues
  • manage IT systems and administration that relate to logistics
  • write reports for senior management and headquarters
  • organise support and supplies for humanitarian relief operations
  • undertake security and patrol duties.

Alternatively, your role may focus on providing personnel support such as:

  • overseeing HR, finance, career management and staff welfare support
  • coordinating payroll so that all servicemen and women are paid
  • managing personal and medical administration
  • ensuring that staff are motivated and trained to high standards
  • supervising administrative routines including records, budgets, inventories and accounts
  • managing media relations, liaising with journalists both in the UK and overseas
  • registering prisoners and/or refugees
  • registering and notifying of death and injury.

In some roles, for example as an army Royal Logistics Corps officer, you may specialise in a particular area of logistics, such as ammunition, contracts or petroleum.

What salary can you earn as an army logistics/support officer?

  • The starting salary for officer cadets in the Army and Royal Navy is £34,676. RAF officers earn £34,600 upon entry.
  • After successful completion of initial officer training, salaries increase to £41,456 in the Army and Royal Navy, and £50,000+ as fight lieutenant’s in the RAF.
  • Salaries are rank-related, and you can earn more by progressing through the various ranks and seniorities.

The armed forces also offer benefits such as around six weeks' paid holiday each year, an excellent pension scheme, free health and dental care, subsidised travel, food and accommodation and paid training qualifications.

Figures are intended as a guide only.

How many hours do armed forces logistics officers work?

Depending on your role, you may need to work shifts. When on operations, officers can work long hours in a challenging and often stressful and dangerous environment.

It may be possible to work part time temporarily and/or restrict your separation from your home base (from three months to three years) under the armed forces' Flexible Service arrangement.

How do I become a logistics officer in the army, navy or air force?

All three armed services recruit graduates as officers and provide initial officer training and a continuation of technical and professional training. However, you don't need a degree for all roles. Graduates in any subject are considered for the role of logistics/support officer, as suitability for service life is more important than your degree subject.

To join the army as a Royal Logistics Corps officer or Staff and Personnel Support (SPS) Branch officer, you must have 72 UCAS points from at least two A-level passes (or four Scottish Highers) and 35 ALIS points at GCSE (34 for SCEs) from seven GCSE/SCE subjects (including Grade C/4-5 in English, maths and a science or a foreign language).

To join the Royal Air Force as a logistics officer or people operations officer, you must have five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above (including English language and maths) or the Scottish equivalent. You'll also need at least two A-levels/three Highers at Grade C or above, which must total at least 64 UCAS points. If you have a 2:2 or higher undergraduate degree, you only need maths and English language at GCSE grade C/4-5 or the Scottish equivalent.

To join the Royal Navy as a logistics officer in the surface fleet, you need a minimum of 72 UCAS points, accrued from either A/AS-levels or National Diplomas such as a BTEC. You'll also need at least five GCSEs at grades C/4 or above (or the Scottish equivalent), including English language and maths.

To join the Royal Auxiliary fleet, you will need a level 6 degree (a logistics or business degree is useful) and GCSE Grade C or 4 in English language and maths (or the Scottish equivalent).

Generally, you must be a UK, Commonwealth or Irish citizen and have been resident in the UK or Ireland for five years prior to entry to the armed forces. However, requirements vary slightly between the different branches and roles, so you should check before applying. Age limits also apply.

All three services offer student bursaries or sponsorship, but amounts vary according to the subject you are studying and the needs of the service. University Service Units also pay students who join and take part in activities.

The selection process varies for each service, and high standards are required at the selection board and throughout basic training. Whichever service you apply to join, selection is likely to include:

  • an application form
  • an initial interview to find out if a life in the armed services would suit you
  • medical assessment
  • aptitude tests
  • fitness test
  • an interview/selection board.

At the interview/selection board, recruiters will be assessing your leadership potential and motivation, as well as your teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.

Make sure that you have researched the branch of the armed forces you are applying to and understand which part you want to work in. You must also be aware of current affairs, particularly in relation to defence and society.

Check individual armed forces websites for further details on applying and entry requirements. Information is also available from university liaison officers (ULOs) and local armed forces careers offices.

What key skills do I need to become a logistics officer?

You'll need to have:

  • excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • the ability to lead and motivate
  • problem-solving and analytical skills
  • the ability to stay calm under pressure
  • excellent organisation and administration skills
  • the confidence to make decisions in high-pressure and sometimes dangerous situations.

You'll need to pass medical and eyesight tests to join most armed forces roles.

Logistics support work experience

Pre-entry work experience is not needed, but some training can be helpful with cadet and/or reserve forces, as well as:

It's also possible to do a 12-month army officer internship through the Army Internship Programme. You can do this either during or after university.

University Liaison Officers (ULOs) can give you up-to-date information, and offer advice on vacation training, cadetships and familiarisation visits.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Who employs armed forces logistics and support officers?

There are three employers within the armed forces:

The British Armed Forces are managed by the Defence Council of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The purposes of each service are the same, to:

  • protect the United Kingdom and its dependent territories
  • fight the nation's enemies
  • prevent conflict
  • deliver emergency humanitarian relief.

Much of the time, the armed forces achieve these aims through membership of alliances, particularly the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). However, unilateral responsibilities may mean that they act alone at times and therefore need to be equipped and trained for all aspects of modern warfare.

The UK's membership of the United Nations (UN), and its permanent place on the Security Council, may also call for the use of armed force in defence of international security or in support of humanitarian and peacekeeping initiatives.

In addition, the forces have an important diplomatic function in representing Britain overseas with goodwill visits, and in providing training for other countries' armed forces, both in the UK and abroad.

An officer's appointment in one of the services of the armed forces might involve working with the other services, the UN or NATO. Officers might also work at MoD headquarters.

Look for job vacancies at:

Expect to rotate jobs and relocate every two to three years. The extent of relocation, travel and time away from home will depend on the service and your posting, but you'll have access to support services and a range of social and recreational facilities.

Professional development and career prospects

All three armed services provide initial officer training (IOT), followed by specialist, professional or technical training to prepare you for your first role. In the army this takes place at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the RAF training is at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire and navy training is given at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth.

You'll continue to develop your leadership, management and technical skills throughout your career, with continuing professional development (CPD) and training forming a key part of service life.

These opportunities can lead to relevant degree and postgraduate qualifications, as well as professional accreditation with civilian bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Institute of Leadership and Management, Chartered Management Institute, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

There are strong prospects for advancement as a logistics/support officer, with early responsibility and the chance to build both leadership and specialist expertise. In the army, you’ll typically begin as a Royal Logistics Corps troop commander, using your movement and distribution expertise to provide fuel, supplies and ammunition, and may later specialise in areas such as ammunition, contracts or petroleum.

In the RAF, you will usually start as a flight commander on a flying station with responsibility for up to 120 personnel, or as a station adjutant if you're in a people operations role, with opportunities for promotion to flight lieutenant, squadron leader and beyond. In the navy, your first promotion will be to lieutenant and then lieutenant commander.

Across all services, promotion is typically into increasingly senior staff posts, with greater responsibility and strategic input. Advancement may include attending a command and staff training course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham, helping prepare you for senior command or managerial roles. It’s also common to gain further academic qualifications and professional accreditation as your career progresses.

The leadership, management and specialist experience you develop can also open up opportunities beyond the armed forces, including careers in logistics, HR, management or consultancy when you leave service.