Armed forces training and education officer

As an armed forces training and education officer, you'll be a commissioned military officer responsible for delivering and supporting education and training programmes within one of the three armed services (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force).

You'll be expected to lead, motivate, manage, teach, mentor and act as a careers consultant and training adviser. As well as teaching, managing and personnel duties, you might be responsible for specialist or technical training.

Types of training and education

You'll support personnel across all ranks and will provide educational support in areas such as:

• functional skills (e.g. improving critical thinking, communication, literacy, numeracy and problem solving)
• instructor development
• learning operational languages
• personal development
• cultural awareness
• developing and shaping future training
• continuing professional development (CPD).

You must also prepare your team, ensuring they're ready to fulfil their roles with the forces, directing them when circumstances demand action and use of their skills and competence.

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

• British Army - Educational and training services officer
• Royal Navy - Training management officer
• Royal Air Force (RAF) - Personnel training officer

What does a training and education officer do?

You'll work with both regular and reserve personnel in the UK and overseas, typically based at education and training centres on military bases or covering a specific geographical area. In this role, you'll usually need to:

• analyse learning and development needs, including both knowledge and skills
• direct learners to appropriate courses and learning pathways
• organise initial training programmes for new entrants into the forces
• design, set up and run engaging training courses and sessions
• instruct in subjects, including military studies, engineering and management, from foundation level through to advanced technical and/or degree level
• tutor senior personnel preparing for promotion
• coordinate language training, including English as a foreign language (EFL) training for personnel from international armed forces
• carry out administrative tasks linked to learning programmes for individual officers and other ranks
• manage a team of trained and experienced personnel
• liaise with external providers, such as the Open University (OU), professional bodies and further and higher education institutions
• support the education and training of the families of service personnel
• lead on developing and implementing innovative approaches to training
• If additional field operations are carried out, activities may include:
• media, civil liaison, community relations or transition support roles
• delivering introductory language or cultural awareness training.

If additional field operations are carried out, activities may include:

• media, civil liaison, community relations or transitional roles
• delivering low-level language or cultural awareness training.

What salary does a training and education officer earn?

• 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 six weeks' paid holiday every year, an excellent pension scheme, free health and dental care, Forces Help to Buy assistance to purchase a property and subsidised travel, food and accommodation.

Figures are intended as a guide only.

What hours do armed force officers work?

You'll typically work standard office hours (around 8am to 5pm), Monday to Friday when not on operations, training exercises or deployments, but you may have to work longer or irregular hours when away on operations. It may be necessary, in certain circumstances, to work more than 48 hours per week.

It may be possible to work part time for a temporary period and/or limit time spent away from your home base (from three months to three years) under the armed forces Flexible Service scheme.

How do I become an armed forces training and education officer?

You'll usually need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (although any degree may be accepted depending on the role) to work as an educational and training services officer in the Army, a training management officer in the Royal Navy or a personnel training officer in the Royal Air Force. A training or teaching background is also helpful, particularly for roles in the RAF. You'll also need to meet requirements for GCSEs, including English language and maths, and A-levels/Scottish Highers.

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 can vary slightly between the different branches and roles, so you should check the latest criteria before applying. Age limits also apply.

All three services offer student bursaries or sponsorship, but amounts vary depending on the subject you are studying and the needs of the service. University Service Units also pay students who join and take part in activities, which can be a good way to gain experience while studying.

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 explore whether a career in the armed forces is right for 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, as this may be discussed during selection.

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, which can offer tailored advice and support.

What skills do you need for a training and education role?

You'll need to have:

• strong communication and interpersonal skills to deliver training, give clear instructions and support learners from a range of backgrounds
• leadership and the ability to motivate others, particularly in structured and high-pressure environments
• the ability to remain calm and make effective decisions under pressure, especially during training exercises or operational situations
• problem-solving and analytical skills to assess training needs, adapt programmes and evaluate outcomes
• self-motivation, adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing demands and environments
• the ability to learn quickly and keep knowledge up to date, including training methods, policies and operational requirements
• a good level of mental and physical fitness to meet the demands of military training and leadership roles.

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

What work experience is helpful for entry to the armed forces?

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

• University Air Squadrons (UAS)
• University Officers' Training Corps (UOTC)
• University Royal Navy Units (URNUs).

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 are the armed forces employers?

There are three employers within the armed forces:

• British Army
• RAF
• Royal Navy (including the Royal Marines).

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 international alliances, particularly the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). However, they may also act independently when required, so they must be equipped and trained to respond to a wide range of modern security and defence challenges.

The UK's membership of the United Nations (UN), including its permanent seat on the Security Council, may also involve the use of armed force to support international security, as well as humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.

In addition, the armed forces play an important diplomatic role by representing the UK overseas through goodwill visits and by providing training and support to other countries' armed forces, both in the UK and internationally.

As an officer, you may work closely with other branches of the armed forces, as well as with organisations such as the UN, NATO or the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Roles can also include working at MoD headquarters or in joint, multinational environments.

You'll usually be based at UK stations, but may spend extended periods overseas on exercises or operations, including at sea in some roles. Expect to move roles and locations every two to three years, with varying levels of travel and time away from home, while maintaining the physical fitness required for training and potential operational duties.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Army Careers
• Royal Air Force Careers
• Royal Navy Careers

You can also enquire at local armed forces recruitment offices or with ULOs for opportunities.

Professional development and career prospects

All three armed forces provide initial officer training (IOT), which combines military, physical and academic elements to develop leadership, management and decision-making skills, followed by specialist training for your 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.

Training lengths and locations vary by service, but all include opportunities to gain fully funded, recognised qualifications such as PGCEs, postgraduate diplomas, MScs and professional accreditations (e.g. CIPD, ILM or CMI), alongside ongoing CPD throughout your career.

Career progression is structured but varied across the services. You'll take on significant responsibility early on, with opportunities to work in training delivery, learning and development, consultancy, headquarters roles and policy.

As you gain experience, you can move into more senior positions with increased leadership responsibilities, while continuing to build academic qualifications and professional accreditation. The skills and experience you develop are also highly transferable, providing opportunities in training, management and consultancy roles outside the armed forces.