COMMS1 SNCO SUPPORT

A vacancy has arisen for a Sergeant Cyberspace to serve as Comms1 SNCO at 90 Signals Unit (90SU) Operations Enablement Squadron (Ops Sqn) (RAF Leeming) on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 18 June 2026 or earlier/later to suit candidate.

Crypto Alt Custodian (COMMS1 SNCO03)

Comms1 is a team based at RAF Leeming, part of 90SU, responsible to the Station Commander for the receipt, safe custody and whole-life accounting of all cryptographic items using new systems and capabilities which involve a higher level of technical understanding to operate. RAF Leeming holds a major account within Air and will be reliant on cryptographic advancements which will require technical knowledge, skills and behaviours to correctly manipulate data to prepare and promulgate across a network for use.

SNCO COMMS1 SUPPORT has specific primary responsibilities to the Comms1 Custodian for:

• Ensuring the security of the COMSEC Storage Area (CSA) and immediately reporting any breach or suspected compromise.
• Controlling access to the CSA and office area to authorised personnel ensuring visitors are adequately supervised and where necessary sensitive material and equipment is sanitised.
• Ensuring that all Holders and Users of COMSEC items are thoroughly briefed on their responsibilities, including the preparation and provision of orders for Holders, and assisting Holders with the preparation of Users Orders.
• Ensuring that all Holders of COMSEC material read and sign Holders orders and are crypto authorised.
• Supervision of the day-to-day administration of the Station COMSEC account and CODES accounting system.

In addition, the SNCO Comms1 Support is to:

• Assist the COMSEC Custodian with routine COMSEC destruction, ensuring that all documentation is completed IAW Ref A. 
• Maintaining details of all COMSEC Holders at RAF Leeming, compile and distribute holder and user check sheets. 
• Maintaining details of all authorised crypto users, IAW Ref A. and ensuring that all users who no longer require access are debriefed. Where continued access is required to ensure that authorised users are briefed and re-sign crypto orders annually. Ensure that those requiring crypto authorisation for operations will remain current for the duration for the detachment. 
• Carrying out amendments to COMSEC documents. 
• Acting as Custodian, as required, in the absence of the Custodian for periods more than 28 days. Note this duty may fall to any of the designated Alternate Custodian.
• Applicants will hold or be required to obtain DV clearance.

(Aviators) Must either have been or currently be a Sergeant Cyberspace or a Corporal Cyberspace eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board.

• Q-TEL-CA course held at 1 Radio School RAF Cosford.
• SKKD course held at 1 Radio School RAF Cosford.
• Obtain and maintain DV level vetting.

• Previous experience working in with Cryptographic items as a Holder, Custodial assistant or Custodian.
• Previous experience with the CODES system.
• Previous experience with the SKKD system.
• Current valid Driving License.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Sqn Ldr Lee Utting, OC Ops Sqn - lee.utting754@mod.gov.uk

Tel: +044 303 388 4243

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

WO Nigel Hughes, WO Ops Sqn- Nigel.Hughes953@mod.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 May 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 18 May 2026 unless a promotion board is required.

Unless already commissioned in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be commissioned in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 5 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis. 

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Joint Medical Employment Standards. This post is deployable/non deployable and/or has safety critical elements and/or involves operational support activity and/or is not sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 does not apply.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391.

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC) TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB. However, due to a severe shortage, it is unlikely that accommodation will be available at RAF Leeming.