Command Designate Course

The Command Designate Course is for the RAF’s OF4 and OF5 commanders. This course will equip you with the knowledge, tools and frameworks necessary to navigate the challenges of command; set expectations for your leadership in the RAF and the wider defence environment; and to prepare you to operate effectively and responsibly in the context of future conflict.

What you will learn

You will learn the expectations of the role of a commanding officer as defined in KR(RAF) Appendix 51. This training will familiarise you with the authority of a commanding officer and your legal responsibilities for welfare, duty of care, and discipline. The course will also provide you (if appointed as officer commanding) with details on finance, risk management, transition to conflict, and leadership in command.

Reporting of mental health/burn-out concerns for the OF5 cadre has also driven the requirement to ensure the course not only focusses on the command responsibility of looking after their people, but also their own resilience and looking after themselves. 

How this course will help your career

This course is mandated training if you are in a commanding officer or officer commanding appointment and is designed to better equip you for these duties. Attendance on the course will be mandated in the individual’s assignment order, where this is not the case personnel should raise this with their career manager.

Who can attend this course

• Military

Only RAF officers going into command appointments.

Must hold suitable Sy clearance SC.

Before you attend

DLE reading for Command Designate Course

How the course will be taught

• e-Learning (DLE)
• Face-to-face