Operational officers
Last updated 15:35, Friday, 27 June 2008
OPERATIONAL officers direct and operate technically advanced fighting systems on land, at sea and in the air, and command people in the front line of battle.
The Army calls them combat officers and the Royal Navy uses the term warfare officers.
Responsibilities cover the training, fitness, operational effectiveness and welfare of everyone in the unit so they reach and maintain a very high level of competence and readiness.
The officer’s primary responsibility in operations is to lead and inspire service personnel. Typical activities include taking responsibility for the welfare, morale and motivation of subordinates; communicating effectively; training and developing subordinates and new recruits; allocating resources effectively; and keeping ships, aircraft, vehicles and other equipment operational.
Salary and Conditions
GRADUATES enter the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth or the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell as graduate officer cadets. The starting salary in all three armed services is £21,880. Officer commissions are confirmed upon successful completion of initial officer training and salaries increase to approximately £26,000.
Salaries at senior level or with experience can range from £40,000 after eight years to £60,000 after 15 years, depending on rank and seniority.
When on operations, you will be working in a challenging environment where long hours and difficult conditions can be expected. However, serving officers all agree that there is a high level of satisfaction on the successful completion, with their unit, of an operation or exercise.
Job rotation and relocation can be expected every two to three years.
Opportunities for women graduates in the armed forces are good and increasing but they do not serve in the Royal Marines Commando, the RAF Regiment, submarines, tanks, mine clearance or the infantry.
Entry requirements
ALL three armed forces recruit graduates as officers and provide initial officer training and continuation of technical and professional training.
Graduates of any subject will be considered as officers for operational or combat roles, but graduates in science or engineering are particularly welcome in operational or combat roles, especially flying, weapons and artillery, the armoured brigade and transport and logistics.
The acceptability of higher education qualifications other than a degree varies between forces. In general, all three forces will consider applicants for officer training with a minimum of 180 UCAS points.
GCSE maths and English language (A-C) are essential.
You will be expected to demonstrate a range of qualities and aptitudes. Potential candidates will need to show evidence of: communication skills; the ability to think clearly and act decisively under pressure; a commitment to take and exercise responsibility; leadership ability; and a high level of physical fitness.
All three services offer student bursaries or sponsorship, but amounts vary according to the subject you are studying and the needs of the service.
Information on bursaries, entry requirements and familiarisation visits to service units is available from university liaison officers (ULOs), Armed Forces Careers Offices, and on the three armed forces websites.
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. A common problem at interviews is a lack of current affairs and service knowledge.
Training
ALL three armed services recruit graduates as officers and provide initial officer training followed by specialist professional or technical training. If you are successful at Army selection board you will go on to the officer training course at Sandhurst , which lasts for 11 months and includes physical training, military training and exercises, adventurous training and participation in a wide range of sporting activities.
Academically, you will be taught about army organisation, defence issues, current affairs and management skills. A similar pathway is followed by graduate officer recruits at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, or the RAF College, Cranwell.
Officers of the Royal Marines train alongside all other recruits to the Marines. Before receiving their commission, they must successfully complete both commando and young officer training.
You will attend further training courses where your knowledge and skills are extended.
