MOD have launched a cyber direct entry scheme for the military, starting with RAF and RN. 1 month basic training followed by 3 months of cyber. Not sure if the physical or medical standards are changed but could be really interesting for our cadets with the interest and aptitude
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This has been in the works for a while. Good to see it finally out there.
The initial focus looks to be on “experienced hires” so maybe more for former than current cadets?
RAF’s recruitment page suggests that they’re looking for “graduate level skills” - some cadets might have that with cyber, but it’s likely they’ll need some real world experience too.
Interestingly, it doesn’t mention the residency requirements. I’d expect most cyber roles to require DV (7 year residence), as suggested by the dual nationality ban, but it isn’t explicit.
Realistically anyone who has those skills will have aged out.
Hopefully there will be more information soon!
Sometimes you can apply with a residency wavier so it’s not 100 per cent in stone the 7 years for DV or 5 years for SC
“specialist recruits will receive one of the highest armed forces starting salaries of over £40,000 , with opportunities for additional skills-based pay as they gain expertise and experience.”
Definitely seems tailored to those already quite competitive to the cyber market rather than recent grads. I’d love £40k starting pay but alas science is terrible pay! My first post uni lab job was £18k (raised to £26k after 6 months).
That’s very close to what my pay is now.
I am a 13 year NCO, So are these recruits expected to laterally join at OR5/OF3 level?
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In the Cyber Reserves they’ve been going very quickly (if not straight to) OR6 for a while now.
Interesting that the RAF application page says “Must be a high-aptitude candidate with graduate level skills.” under the eligibility requirements, which certainly implies they want people that already have cyber degrees. But the RN application page only mentions GCSEs. Yet at the bottom and on the Gov page it says:
The entry standards are the same whether applying through the Royal Navy or the Royal Air Force, and both services will use the same selection panel. Applying through both services does not increase the chance of selection.
The RN page is pretty explicit on this:
Open to sole British nationals only; surviving parents must also be sole British; surviving partner must be registered British; partners surviving parents must be sole British.
Also interesting that the fitness requirements remain.
I thought one of the points of the direct entry scheme was that this wasn’t to be the case…
I wonder if there was too much push back on that aspect from the CoC?
I think it’s more likely to be because of the new fitness test.