A vacancy has arisen for a Group Captain, Any Branch to serve as Inspector Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) at RAF College Cranwell on Additional Duties Commitment (180 day) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 12 October 2026. The post is located at RAF Cranwell but travel to HQ Air and throughout the Force for routine meetings and engagement activity will be required. However, the successful candidate will be able to conduct hybrid work from any location in the UK.
The Inspector RAuxAF reports directly to the Commandant General RAuxAF (CG RAuxAF) & Director Reserves and is responsible for monitoring and improving the preparedness, sustainability, health and wellbeing of the RAuxAF. This is delivered through a third-party audit process, which maximises the preparedness and mobilisation of the Part-Time Volunteer Reservist (PTVR) cadre as part of an Integrated Force that is ready to Transition to Conflict (TTC).
The post of Inspector RAuxAF exists to promote and protect the interests of the RAuxAF to the mutual benefit of the RAF and wider Defence. Additionally, the Inspectorate captures lessons and best practice to enhance the capability, the motivation and retention the PTVR cadre to support the RAF’s Strategy and Command Plan. This position is supported by 2 deputy inspectors, an SO2 and a SNCO Support. Additional assistance is provided by the RAuxAF Comd WO.
The specific responsibilities of the Inspector RAuxAF include:
a. Providing comprehensive, transparent, independent third-party audits of the RAuxAF, enabling data informed analysis and recommendations to the CG RAuxAF’s/Dir Reserves’ QMB and Reserve Steering Groups (RSGs). Enabling CG RAuxAF to deliver the Air Reserve Campaign Plan and to hold to account the chain of command of RAuxAF units, the Heads of Profession and the remainder of the Air Command Leadership Team for RAF Reserve-related output through the RSG.
b. Providing CG RAuxAF with a data-informed and detailed 360-degree impartial assessment of the capacity, preparedness, health, sustainability and well-being of the RAuxAF.
c. Monitoring and timely reporting of all indicators and warnings of risks, issues and opportunities across the RAuxAF. Maintaining a good knowledge and understanding of the future direction of, and requirement for, the RAuxAF to include regular engagement with all key stakeholder across the RAuxAF and wider Defence.
d. Maintain a safe space for FTRS, ADC, PTVR and VeRR members of the RAuxAF to openly and willingly share information and challenge policies, processes and behaviours. To ensure these cadres have a voice and are heard. Adopting a ‘you said, we did’ approach.
e. Promoting an understanding of the RAuxAF and RAF Reserves across the Whole Force, wider society, international partners and the employers of PTVR personnel today and in the future.
f. Mentoring RAuxAF unit cdrs and WOs in the history, ethos and conduct required across the RAuxAF, with the aim of maximising the RAuxAF warfighting capability through the provision and intelligent utilisation of a PTVR cadre that is prepared, ready and able to TTC and mobilise at the required scale and pace.
g. Provision of the independent member at all RAuxAF Command Appointment Boards (CABs) for OCs and WOs.
f. Responsible to CG RAuxAF for the relationship with the Air Cdre-in-Chief and the process of selecting, recruiting and supporting the RAuxAF’s Honorary Air Commodores (HACs).
g. Providing a PTVR perspective on the development of the RAF Reserves offer, policy and processes.
i. Maintaining effective comms and engagement across the RAuxAF through conferences, F2F engagements and via virtual means.
h. Ensure Reservists are rewarded and recognised through the coordination and delivery of the annual RAuxAF awards and other State-level honours, such as KVRM.
j. Responsible for the administration of the Sovereign’s Colour for the RAuxAF, advising on ceremonial issues for the RAuxAF, including future unit number plates and allocation and laying up of Standards.
