How to become a non-commissioned officer and other ranks

Official title: Non-commissioned officers and other ranks

Also called: Petty officer, Warrant officer, Non-commissioned officer, Able rate, Leading hand, Master aircrew, Lance corporal, Lance-corporal, Lance-sergeant, Quarter master, Master at arms, Staff sergeant

Those holding jobs in this unit group are full-time members of the armed forces of the UK, the Commonwealth and other foreign countries and perform military duties for which there is no civilian equivalent.

Main tasks

• Receives and responds to commands from senior officers
• Monitors, operates, services and repairs military equipment
• Takes part in military operations in situations of conflict and provides aid if required in emergency situations such as civil disorder, natural disasters and major accidents
• Engages in peacekeeping operations and enforces ceasefire agreements
• Stands watch and guards military establishments and other buildings
• Trains and exercises using various military equipment and tactics
• Undertakes specialist activities such as operating communications equipment, driving military vehicles
• Patrols areas of possible military activity

How to become one

For most positions entry does not depend upon academic qualifications. Entrants generally have to pass a selection interview and physical and medical examinations. Entry to certain trades requires GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications.

Ways in

• Apprenticeship (England): HM forces serviceperson (protective services) (level 2). England. Typically 12 months. Skills England standard ST0222.
• Apprenticeship (England): Survival equipment fitter (level 3). England. Typically 36 months. Skills England standard ST0015.

Pay · Outlook

• About 66,900 people work in this job now, and about 76,700 are projected by 2035. (+14.8%)

Related jobs

• Police officers (sergeant and below)
• Fire service officers (watch manager and below)
• Prison service officers (below principal officer)

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Questions people ask

How do I become a non-commissioned officer and other ranks?

For most positions entry does not depend upon academic qualifications. Entrants generally have to pass a selection interview and physical and medical examinations. Entry to certain trades requires GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications.

Is a non-commissioned officer and other ranks a growing career in the UK?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 15% by 2035, from about 66,900 to about 76,700 people (Department for Education).

Do you need a degree to become a non-commissioned officer and other ranks?

Usually not. Only 20% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: HM forces serviceperson (protective services) (level 2).

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03