4 FTS PSYCHOLOGICAL SKILLS TRAINER

Subject to formal establishment amendment, a vacancy will arise for a Flight Lieutenant or Squadron Leader (Pilot (Any) or WSO (Any) to serve as an Aircrew Psychological Skills Trainer, Performance Coach and a COMBAT EDGE coordinator, at RAF Valley on Additional Duties Commitment Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) (180 days), with an initial proposed start date of 28 September 2026 (or earlier/later subject to candidate status and formal establishment).  

The Directorate of Flying Training (DFT) has developed foundation and advanced Aircrew Psychological Skills Training (PST) courses as part of the broader COMBAT EDGE programme. COMBAT EDGE is a DFT initiative to increase the performance of trainee aircrew. COMBAT EDGE seeks to do this by delivering support/improvements/coordination across a variety of performance enhancing categories. A DFT commissioned report highlighted areas for focus. These categories included: Selection and Recruitment, Talent Confirmation, Human Performance, Data Driven Training, Coaching and Cultural Change.

PST will be delivered at RAF Cranwell (3-day foundation course) and RAF Valley (1-day advanced). The delivery of the advanced element of this course will be supported and contextualised by the successful applicant, alongside qualified Psychologist provision through the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) Training System Partner (Ascent Flight Training Ltd). 

This post is established within Central Flying School (CFS) and embedded at RAF Valley to support delivery of Aircrew Psychological Skills Training (PST) and wider COMBAT EDGE activity. Line management will be through CFS, with day-to-day delivery coordination conducted with 4 FTS staff to align PST delivery with course programming and trainee demand.

The post will be responsible for supporting and contextualising the delivery of the advanced course to all trainees on Basic Flying Training (BFT) groundschool with a periodic requirement to travel to RAF Cranwell to deliver the three day foundation course. It is expected that the successful applicant will be on-site at RAF Valley for the majority of their working days. When the corresponding RAF Cranwell PST position is gapped, during absences or until the post is filled, this position will also be required to cover the 3-day foundation course at RAF Cranwell.

The applicant must be ex-military aircrew, ideally with experience as an aircrew instructor, a performance coach or having delivered psychological skills training. There will be a period of initial familiarisation within CFS expected to take place at RAF Cranwell.

Psychological Skills Training and Coaching. They will be responsible for supporting the psychology team with the day to day delivery of the course, working with staff and trainees to ensure smooth timetabling and efficient delivery. The role will coordinate access to Performance Coaches and, where applicable, manage or co‑manage Performance Coaches across 4FTS and RAF Valley. It includes providing direct performance coaching to 4FTS trainees and instructors, with additional support to 3FTS when required. The post holder will work across existing command boundaries to ensure the effective tasking and prioritisation of all available coaching resources.

Combat Edge Development. The successful candidate will be involved in further developing the UKMFTS COMBAT EDGE Programme as the Combat Edge Coordinator and DFT representative at RAF Valley. The individual will be expected to work closely with the Combat Edge Lead Coordinator at RAF Cranwell, 4FTS instructional staff and squadron execs to produce and execute a functioning trainee and instructor performance support plan. As this is a new role, the individual is expected to show significant initiative and proactivity in producing lasting impact. Additionally, they will conduct liaison with the trainees’ future units regarding handover of coaching and performance issues.

• Must either have been, or currently be: a Squadron Leader, Major or Lieutenant Commander of any Aircrew Profession or a Flight Lieutenant, Captain, Lieutenant of any Aircrew Profession.
• Current or Ex Military Frontline Qualified Aircrew
• Must have a full UK Driving Licence

Highly Desirable

• Current or Ex Military CFS Qualified Aircrew Instructor
• Fully completed Level 5 Coaching qualification awarded by a training provider approved by a nationally or internationally recognised body such as the CMI or ILM. Candidates nearing completion of this award will be considered.

Desirable

• Flight Safety|Human Factors Facilitator
• Instructional|Defence Trainer (DTc)
• A2 instructor
• Relevant military aircrew instructional experience in the last 5 years.
• Instructional|Basic Care of Trainees (Basic COT)|Joint|
• Instructional|Advanced Care of Trainees (Advanced COT)|Joint|
• Fully completed Level 6 Award in Professional Coach Supervision (CMI) or Level 7 Certificate in Coaching Supervision (ILM) awarded by a training provider approved by a nationally or internationally recognised body. 
• Aircrew Psychological Skills Training experience
• Human Performance Optimisation experience
• Formal training in any of the following areas: Nutrition, Fitness, Sleep, Performance coaching, psychological skills training.
• Completion of both the Aircrew Instructors Course and Enhanced Instructional Techniques course.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 4 appraisal reports and other evidence as appropriate.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name:  Wg Cdr Paul Carlon, OC D&D Wg, CFS, RAF Cranwell

Telephone: 03001540439

Email: Paul.Carlon385@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications should as a minimum, comprise of a maximum 2-page CV, and copies of last 4 appraisal reports. Where candidates have been out of military service and / or have additional civilian SQEP relevant for the role, they should include evidence including qualifications, references, civilian appraisals as deemed appropriate, for use by the Selection Board, and should be sent to:

Name:  Wg Cdr Paul Carlon, OC D&D Wg, CFS, RAF Cranwell  Email: Paul.Carlon385@mod.gov.uk  

The closing date for applications is 26 June 2026 and interviews will take place shortly afterwards.

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 Additional Duties 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 must be attested before their 61st birthday. However, suitably qualified personnel may be considered but a waiver must be sought from SO1 Res Spt prior to interview.

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. The post is non deployable, non-safety critical, does not involve operational support activity and is sedentary in nature. IBN 94/24 applies.

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/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB.