A Career in Defence

The largest employer in this sector is the government, with career opportunities in the armed services and civilian careers with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and it is on this area that this profile will focus, but there are also employment opportunities in the private sector. 

Armed Services

The Armed Forces offer a number of career pathways across all services for those interested in a career in logistics and transport.

British Army

www.army.mod.uk

There are a number of Corps and Regiments that offer logistics and transport opportunities:

Royal Logistics Corps

The RLC is the largest corps in British army, with over 16,000 soldiers and officers working and operating in regiments of every type.  It's their job to get everything set up, keep everything safe and make sure everything runs smoothly - whatever it takes.  Within the Corps there are 14 trades to choose from covering distribution, supply, maritime, catering and specialist roles.

For further information click here.

Corps of Royal Engineers

The Corps of Royal Engineers is comprises "Sappers" who are multi skilled soldiers, combat engineers and tradesmen working alongside all parts of the Army. They play a vital role in the effectiveness of the British Army and the United Kingdom in both peacetime and on Operations. 

For further information click here

Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Members of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are the technicians and mechanics that constantly repair and maintain the large array of equipment held by the British Army.

For further information click here

Royal Corps of Signals

The Royal Corps of Signals are leaders in Information Technology and Communications and provide the British Army with communications throughout the world,

For further information click here

Army Air Corp

The Army Air Corps is the smallest of the three combat arms in the Army, but its fleet of helicopters makes it one of the most potent. Providing firepower from the skies, it has a unique role to play on the modern battlefield by delivering hard-hitting support to ground forces during the key stages of a battle.

For further information click here

Royal Regiment of Artillery

The Royal Artillery supplies the army's firepower and offers the widest variety of career opportunities in the British Army. The Royal Regiment of Artillery, also known as The Gunners, is a combat arm and works closely with tanks, infantry and attack helicopters.

For further information click here

Royal Navy

www.royalnavy.mod.uk

There are well over 5000 jobs available in the Naval Service and around 14 logistics specialisms within the Logistics Department, which has responsibility to fuel, prepare, support and equip everyone onboard. 

For further information about logistics-related career opportunities click here

Royal Air Force

www.raf.mod.uk

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has many jobs within there logistics area including stock controlling, transporting equipment and managing budgets.  Without the logistics and equipment section, the RAF cannot operate – they are needed to move everything from nuts and bolts to weapons. Career options include driver, mover, supplier, caterer, chef or a logistics officer and all offer an exciting and varied career with the opportunity to travel across the globe, meet new people and learn new skills.

For further information about logistics-related career opportunities click here

Civilian Opportunities

The MoD is the organisation that enables the armed services to do their job and is involved in every facet of defence: from providing the guns that soldiers use and repairing the barracks that they live in to making international defence policy by implementing the government's wishes.  The MoD employs a range of different specialists from its own postal workers to range wardens, radio officers and stock controllers – in total there are over 80 areas of expertise.  One such function is the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), primarily manned by some 2,000 civilians, which is tasked with the resupply of ships of the Royal Navy while away from home waters with fuel, ammunition, food and other stores required to keep the fleet operational in all respects.

For further information about the range of civilian opportunities click here.

The Daily Telegraph Careers Insider series includes a useful profile of the defence sector click here for more information.