How to become an officer in armed forces
Official title: Officers in armed forces
Also called: Officer, Raf officer, Army officer, Flag officer, Officer cadet, Pilot officer, Flying officer, Medical officer, Commanding officer, Royal navy officer, Royal naval officer, Commissioned officer
Officers in armed forces serve as commissioned officers in His Majesty’s armed forces, foreign and Commonwealth armed forces plan, direct, organise and administer military operations; and perform duties for which there is no civilian equivalent.
Main tasks
- Advises and provides information on military aspects of defence policy
- Plans, directs and co-ordinates military training and manoeuvres
- Supervises the operation of military units and monitors the activities of junior officers, NCOs and other ranks
- Plans, directs and administers aid to civilian authorities as requested or when faced with civil disorder, natural disaster or other emergency
How to become one
Entry to a commission in the UK armed forces is possible with GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, or with higher academic qualifications, or by promotion from NCO or other rank. Each arm of the forces has different age restrictions. Candidates must pass a medical examination and interview.
Pay · Outlook
- About 35,500 people work in this job now, and about 39,000 are projected by 2035. (+9.6%)
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Questions people ask
How do I become an officer in armed forces?
Entry to a commission in the UK armed forces is possible with GCSEs/S grades and A levels/H grades, or with higher academic qualifications, or by promotion from NCO or other rank. Each arm of the forces has different age restrictions. Candidates must pass a medical examination and interview.
Is an officer in armed forces a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 35,500 to about 39,000 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become an officer in armed forces?
Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
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