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Driver Air Despatch

Royal Logistic Corps

At a glance

  • Soldier
  • logistics

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.

  • £16,844The minimum amount you’ll earn during training
  • £21,425Your pay after completing basic trade training
  • AgeFrom 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months
  • QualificationsNo formal qualifications required
Driver Air Despatch

As Air Despatchers, we support all three services, special forces and other governmental agencies in aerial delivery jobs - from dispatching bottled water to vehicles.

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.

The Royal Logistic Corps are the Army’s professional logisticians keeping the Field Army marching, its helicopters flying, its vehicles moving and its tanks and guns firing. We enable its deployment and supply it with everything it needs, wherever it operates, throughout the world.

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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.

  • Complete NVQ Levels 2 - 6 in Leadership and Management, Level 2

  • Certificate in Logistics and Transport and Level 2 LGV Driver Apprenticeship.

Have any questions? Talk with us

driver air despatcher

Regular (full time)

Entry requirements

  • Age:

    From 16 years & 6 months to 35 years & 6 months years

  • Qualifications:

    Qualifications: No formal qualifications required

  • Basic physical fitness assessment:

    • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg

    • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m

    • MSFT (beep test) level 6.6

    More information about the fitness test

Training for the role

Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which will teach you how to be a soldier - this will cover everything from fieldcraft to handling a rifle. If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate. If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.

Step 2
Next, you will undertake your 15-week Combat Logistician course at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield. During this, you will earn your Category C+E Driving Licence and study general service driver modules. This training also gives you the opportunity to gain a broader knowledge on the Royal Logistic Corps functions and roles.

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.

Qualifications you could get after training

  • Level 2 LGV Driver Apprenticeship

  • NVQ Level 2 Certificate Logistics and Transport

  • NVQ Levels 2 – 6 in Leadership and Management

  • 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

Pay & benefits

Earn £16,844 during training. When you have completed 26 week’s service or finished basic trade training – whichever comes first, your pay will rise to £21,425.

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.

How to Apply

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre,you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

More about the joining process

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