4 Fts Psychological Skills Trainer

A vacancy has arisen for a Squadron Leader (any aircrew profession) to serve as an Aircrew Psychological Skills Trainer performance coach and COMBAT EDGE coordinator at RAF Valley on Full Time Reserve Service (Limited Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS) with an initial proposed start date of 01 June 2026 (or earlier/later subject to candidate status).

The Directorate of Flying Training (DFT) is developing a foundation and an advanced Aircrew Psychological Skills Training (PST) course as part of the broader COMBAT EDGE programme. COMBAT EDGE is a Directorate of Flying Training (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. At present a DFT commissioned report is under development to understand what could be done to improve trainee aircrew performance. These categories include but are not limited to: Coaching and Mentoring Fitness Sleep Nutrition Technology and Data Analytics.

PST will be delivered at RAF Cranwell (foundation) and RAF Valley (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).

The post will sit within 4 Flying Training School (4 FTS) but will work closely with Central Flying School (CFS) who are helping develop this course. The post will be responsible for supporting and contextualising the delivery of the advanced PST course to trainees at RAF Valley with a requirement to travel and deliver foundation elements at RAF Cranwell.

The applicant should be ex military aircrew with experience delivering performance coaching and preferably aircrew psychological skills training. There will be a period of initial familiarisation with CFS expected to take place at RAF Cranwell.

They will be responsible for the day to day delivery of the course working with staff and trainees to ensure smooth timetabling and efficient course delivery. They will be responsible for managing/co-managing and coordinating access to 4 FTS performance coaches as well as providing performance coaching to 4FTS trainees and instructors. It is expected that successful applicants will be on-site (at Valley or Cranwell) 4 days per week.

There will be a requirement to be involved in further developing the UK MFTS Combat Edge Programme working closely with Ascent Flight Training Ltd DFT HQ and CFS. Combat Edge is a broader programme of performance enhancing support to trainees with categories including; aircrew performance coaching nutrition sleep fitness and several other work strands that aim to benefit the performance and resilience of aircrew. As this is a new role the individual is expected to show significant initiative and proactivity in producing lasting impact. The individual will be expected to work closely with 4FTS instructional staff and squadron execs to produce and execute a functioning trainee and instructor performance support plan. Additionally they will act as flt cdr to trainees currently not on course; liaison with 3 FTS and the front line regarding handover of trainee welfare issues.