Officers hold a commission from the Sovereign, which provides the legal authority for them to issue orders to subordinates. The commission of a regular officer is granted after successfully completing the 30-week-long Initial Officer Training course at the RAF College, Cranwell, Lincolnshire. Other officers also train at RAF Cranwell, but on different courses, such as those for professionally qualified officers.

The titles and insignia of RAF officers were chiefly derived from those used by the Royal Navy, specifically the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) during World War I. For example, the rank of Squadron Leader derived its name from the RNAS rank of Squadron Commander. RAF officers fall into three categories: air officers, senior officers and junior officers.

NATO Code OF-10 OF-9 OF-8 OF-7 OF-6
United Kingdom United Kingdom

RAF-MRAF-OF-10.png RAF-ACM-OF-9.png RAF-AM-OF-8.png RAF-AVM-OF-7.png RAF-Air Cdre-OF-6.png
Marshal of the Royal Air Force1 Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice-Marshal Air Commodore
Abbreviation MRAF Air Chf Mshl or ACM Air Mshl or AM AVM Air Cdre


NATO Code OF-6 OF-5 OF-4 OF-3 OF-2
United Kingdom United Kingdom

RAF-Air Cdre-OF-6.png RAF-Gp Capt-OF-5.png RAF-Wg Cdr-OF-4.png RAF-Sqn Ldr-OF-3.png RAF-Flt Lt-OF-2.png
Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander Squadron Leader Flight Lieutenant
Abbreviation Air Cdre Gp Capt Wg Cdr Sqn Ldr Flt Lt


NATO Code OF-1 OF(D) Student Officer
United Kingdom United Kingdom

RAF-Fg Off-OF-1.png RAF-Plt Off-OF-1.png
RAF-OC-SO.png
Flying Officer Pilot Officer
Officer Cadet or Student Officer
Abbreviation Fg Off Plt Off A/Plt Off OCdt

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