Armed Forces Career Advice

Working in the armed forces, you will work in the UK or abroad once you have completed your initial formal training. You may be involved in combat, providing humanitarian aid, or peacekeeping. You may alternatively work in a supporting role such as food preparation, nursing, vehicle maintenance, training, or intelligence gathering.

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How to Work in the Armed Forces sector

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to get a job in Armed Forces

Should you wish to work in Armed Forces you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for an Armed Forces Job

  • 5 or more GCSEs (RAF and Royal Marines)
  • 2 A levels (RAF and Royal Marines)
  • Army apprenticeship (soldier)

Core Armed Forces Skills

The best opportunities exist for those who earn a university degree in science, engineering, maths, technology, or healthcare. You will need to be fit and healthy, courageous, respectful, and disciplined. Integrity and the ability to work in a team is vital, and you should be keen to learn new practical skills every step of the way.

If you are passionate about the UK, helping others, and have a drive towards adventure, then a career in the Armed Forces could be your calling.

Key Responsibilities for an Armed Forces Job

  • Peacekeeping or combat
  • Working with dogs or horses
  • Providing catering for platoons
  • Driving military or logistics vehicles
  • Caring for injured soldiers
  • Working as part of or leading a team
  • Liaising with engineers or sub-contractors
  • Working under stress, abroad, or through unsociable hours

What to expect in an Armed Forces Job

Armed forces personnel are often required to commit to a term of service from 3.5-years to six years. You will undertake a 44-week pre-commissioning course and be expected to work overseas and unusual hours. Part-time opportunities exist in the Royal Navy and RAF reserves. You will have the chance to work in various fields, including combat, engineering, technology, and healthcare.

Recommended Armed Forces Jobs

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How to get Armed Forces Jobs

Our advice on how to get an Armed Forces job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete an Armed Forces application. If you have not held an Armed Forces position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held an Armed Forces role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Armed Forces CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Armed Forces application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become an Armed Forces in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become an Armed Forces 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be an Armed Forces and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Armed Forces experience.

How to get Armed Forces Experience

What does it take to be an Armed Forces? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Armed Forces jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Armed Forces through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be an Armed Forces Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Armed Forces part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Armed Forces or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Armed Forces freelance work

If you have impressive Armed Forces qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.