What you need to know
The British Army gives both Regular and Reserve personnel the opportunity to shape your career. With hard work, dedication and talent, you can work your way through the ranks, gaining the unique experience and skills that come with the structure of a career in the Army.
There are various opportunities for continued education and training throughout your service.
Career stability. Newly joined Regular Soldiers are offered, in most cases, an initial career of up to 12 years and may then be eligible to serve for up to 24 or 30 years. Regular Officers from 1 Jan 23 will normally be offered an initial 6-year SSC and may then be eligible to serve for up to 20 or 34 years. In some circumstance’s further extensions of service, up to age 60 years may be possible, subject to there being a Service need. Reservists can enjoy lengthy service alongside Regular Service personnel. Furthermore, flexible working or flexible service can offer increased work/life balance when personal circumstances change - see flexible service for more information.
Career Path. All promotion is based on Service requirement, and opportunities will therefore vary between cap badges and trades. Promotion beyond Captain for officers and beyond Private for other ranks is predominantly by selection, dependent on trade and recommendations. See CM Handbook Part 3 - Guide to Army CM (accessed through DefNet).
Opportunities to change your cap badge or trade or type of service. Subject to Service need, there are opportunities to change what you do in the British Army which can be found on the Digital Transfer app (Digital Transfers (mod.uk)). You can transfer to another cap badge or trade, move from the Regulars to the Reserves, potentially move from the Reserves to the Regulars or transfer to another Service in the Armed Forces. The requirements concerning eligibility for these different career moves are detailed and you can find further information in the references below or ask your chain of command or Career Manager for advice.
Opportunities for overseas service: There are opportunities to serve abroad, either unaccompanied or accompanied by your family, not just on exercise or operations. If you are interested speak to your Chain of Command or Career Manager about suitable attachments or assignments.
Career advice. Responsibility for your career lies with you, the chain of command, and your Career Manager in the Army Personnel Centre. Career advice can be sought from your chain of command and/or Career Manager; you will receive Formal Career Reviews at various stages throughout your career. See Career Management Handbook Part 2 - Career Management Roles and Responsibilities.
What you need to do
Speak to your Career Manager.
What you need to know
Throughout your RAF career you receive world class professional training and development giving you the skills to progress your career within and beyond the Armed Forces. This is available to all RAF Regular and Reserve personnel.
The RAF offers lots of opportunities to shape your career. Whatever your Profession, Branch, Trade or Specialisation, you can work your way up through the ranks, gaining the unique experience and skills that come with the structure of an RAF career.
Promotion is based on Service requirement, so opportunities vary between Profession, Branch, Trade or Specialisation. Beyond Flight Lieutenant for officers and Senior Aircraftman for Other Ranks, promotion is largely by selection.
Everyone in the RAF has a Career Manager and the door is always open for you to start a conversation about your career development and direction.
There are opportunities to serve abroad, either unaccompanied or accompanied by your family, not just on deployment or operations.
Officers may align themselves with one of 6 Career Fields to clarify their career pathway:
- Capability and Acquisition
- Defence Engagement
- Management of Defence
- Operational Support
- Operations
- Personnel
What you need to do
If you are interested, speak with your Career Manager.
What you need to know
Throughout your career with the Royal Navy you receive world class professional training and development that will give you the skills to progress your career and on into a career after the Armed Forces.
All promotion is based on Service requirement and opportunities will therefore vary between branches, specialisations and sub-specialisations. Promotion beyond Lieutenant for officers and beyond Able Rate for ratings is predominantly by selection.
Everyone in the Royal Navy has a Career Manager and you can receive a formal career interview at various stages throughout your career. For Regulars your Career Manager is available at the Career Management Cell (CMC) for Junior Ratings or West Battery (for Senior Ratings and Officers) to email, call or visit. CMCs are in HM Naval Bases at Faslane, Portsmouth and Devonport, RAF Marham, and Royal Naval Air Stations Culdrose and Yeovilton. For Reserves, career management is available in your unit or from West Battery. Information on Naval Personnel Management is in BR3 Volume 1, with additional detail specific to the Maritime Reserves in BR3 Volume 2.
What you need to do
There are opportunities to serve abroad, either unaccompanied or accompanied by your family, not just on deployment or operations.
If you are interested speak to your Career Manager.
