Last updated 15:24, Friday, 27 June 2008

LOGISTICS and admin officers are responsible for the management and efficiency of the logistics, support and administrative functions.

In the Army they are known as staff and personnel support officers, part of the Adjutant General’s Corps, or specialist officers in the Royal Logistics Corps, trained in supply, distribution or commodities.

In the Royal Navy they are called supply officers; and in the RAF they are administrative officers. In each setting, their purpose is the same, to enable each service to carry out their allotted role in peace and war.

A logistics and admin officer commands and manages a support team, which may include clerks, IT and finance specialists, and fellow professionals, both service personnel and civilians. They must be able to function efficiently and to the same high professional standards whether operating from their home base, on operations in the field, or on board ship.

Typical activities include supervising and planning the work of individuals and teams whose role is the delivery of a wide range of specific services and functions including:

• personnel, including pay;
• IT and information management;
• administration and secretarial
• accountancy
• stores and supplies.

THE starting salary for graduate officer cadets in all three armed services is £21,880. Officer commissions are confirmed upon successful completion of initial officer training and salaries increase to about £26,000. Salaries at senior level or with experience range from £40,000 after eight years to £60,000 after 15 years, depending on rank and seniority.

Some types of work attract additional pay.

Opportunities for women graduates in logistics, support and administration are good, with all posts equally open to women and men.

All three services will consider graduates in any subject but a high level of numeracy is expected and GCSE maths and English language (A-C) are essential.

The following degree subjects may increase your chances: business-related studies; business with languages; or IT.

The acceptability of higher education qualifications other than a degree varies between forces, depending on both the subject studied and the specialism the applicant wants to follow. In general, all three forces will consider applicants with a minimum of 180 UCAS points for officer training.

The selection process varies for each service but can take up to a year and high standards are required at the selection board and throughout the basic training.