- .Regular Army
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- .Driver Air Despatch
- logistics
- Soldier
- Regular
Driver Air Despatch
Get supplies safely into the air and then accurately deliver them to troops on the ground. Enjoy an incredible job, flying with the Army and the RAF.
Starting salary
£26,334
Age range
16.6 to 35.6
Role details
Age
To apply for this position, you must be between 16 years & 6 months old and 35 years & 6 months old at the time of your application.
Fitness
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
2km run 11 min 30 sec
Education
No formal qualifications required
Need help?
Unsure about any requirements? Our recruitment team is here to help.
Air Despatchers, are responsible for preparing, loading and despatching supplies and equipment from military aircraft. We deploy to overseas locations at very short notice to re-supply personnel by air, land, or sea. We also complete assignments at the Test and Evaluation Unit where new ideas and equipment are trialled and developed.
Key Responsibilities
Provide support to the British Army through Aerial Delivery using different types of aircraft.
Located at RAF Brize Norton you will work within a Very High Readiness Task Troop.
Primarily be located in the UK with opportunities to deploy worldwide.
Gain specialist driving licences and qualifications, including: personal leadership, communication and computing skills.
Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.
If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the basic military training (short) course at Harrogate.
If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training.
Step 2
Next, you will undertake your Class 3 Driver course at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield, which will take about 25 weeks to complete. This will include earning you category B and C+E licenses, learning off road driving, driving different vehicles, Hazmat and basic vehicle maintenance.
Step 3
You will then begin the 12-week Basic Air Despatcher course where you will be taught the basic principles of aerial delivery, including air safety, supply drop equipment, loading and unloading an aircraft and air despatch drills. On completion of this course, you will be qualified in various systems and ready to progress onto the Class 2 course. On promotion to Lance Corporal, you will complete the Drop Zone Non-Commissioned Officer course and other specialist Air Despatch courses.
You'll earn £26,334 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.
Soldiers will receive Initial Rate RRP(FC) when they have completed the Basic Air Despatch Course and have entered their 5th year of reckonable Service. Personnel will then receive the Higher Rate after 9 years’ service from the qualifying competence.
Level 2 Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) driver C + E Apprenticeship
Numeracy Levels 1 and 2
Materiel Accounting and management qualifications
Mechanical Transport management qualifications
Further Air Despatch specialist qualifications
Qualified Air Despatch Instructor qualification
Driver Specialist qualifications
Military parachutist (on completion of P Company)
Opportunities to obtain various instructor qualifications