The Datum Report

Occupation 1161 · Managers, directors and senior officials

Officers in armed forces

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.

How people enter it

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.

What the work involves

• 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

Also called

Army officer · Commander (armed forces) · Flight-lieutenant · Royal Navy officer · Squadron-leader

What it pays

Every regional figure

ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.

Common questions

Classified alongside this

Senior officers in fire, ambulance, prison and related services · Senior police officers