Joining the RAF & Royal Navy in London: DAA & Careers Guide
Updated 1 July 2026 · 5 min read
If you live in London and want to join the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy, the good news is that the capital is one of the best-served parts of the country for military recruitment. The application process is the same wherever you are in the UK, but knowing where things happen locally — and preparing properly for the aptitude test — can make the whole journey a lot smoother. This guide explains how applicants in London get from first enquiry to sitting the Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA).
How to apply from London
Both services run their applications online. You start by registering your interest and creating an account on the official recruitment site — recruitment.raf.mod.uk for the RAF or the Royal Navy careers pages for sea service — then choose the role you want and begin your application. A recruiter or careers office will typically get in touch to guide you through the stages that follow, including eligibility checks, the aptitude test, an interview, fitness test and medical.
Because entry requirements, age limits and the exact order of stages vary by role and are updated regularly, always confirm the current details on the official site before you apply. For the full picture, see our guides on how to join the RAF and how to join the Royal Navy.
What the DAA is
The Defence Aptitude Assessment is a timed, multiple-choice aptitude test used by the RAF and Royal Navy to work out which roles suit you. It has six sections — verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, work rate, spatial reasoning, mechanical comprehension and electrical comprehension — and you sit it without a calculator. There is no single pass mark; your scores across the sections determine which trades and branches you qualify for. For a full breakdown of each section and how scoring works, read our Defence Aptitude Assessment explained guide.
Where do you sit the DAA in London?
Once your application has progressed far enough, you are booked in to sit the DAA. Depending on current arrangements you may be able to take it online using your own device, or you may attend an Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) to sit it on their systems under invigilation. London has more than one AFCO — there is a long-established careers office in the Bloomsbury / Handel Street area of central London (WC1), for example — and with the capital's transport links most applicants can reach one fairly easily by Tube, bus or rail.
Office locations, opening hours and booking arrangements do change, so rather than relying on any single address, use the official AFCO finder to confirm your nearest office. You can search by postcode on the Royal Navy careers site (find-an-afco) and on the RAF recruitment centres page. Your local AFCO can also advise on the roles best suited to you.
A bit of local context
London has deep armed-forces roots that you may come across during your application or later in your career. The Royal Naval Reserve's largest unit, HMS President, has maintained a Royal Navy presence in London for well over a century and is based near Tower Bridge in the Wapping area. On the RAF side, RAF Northolt in South Ruislip, west London, is the oldest RAF station still in use and hosts units from across all three services. Neither is where you apply or sit the DAA — that runs through the recruitment system and AFCOs — but they show how active the military still is across the capital.
How to prepare, wherever you sit it
Whether you take the DAA online or at a London AFCO, preparation is what makes the difference. The test rewards familiarity: knowing the format, pacing yourself, and practising mental arithmetic without a calculator all help you stay calm on the day. Work through a set of free DAA practice tests to get used to the timing and question styles, and follow the tips in our how to prepare for the DAA guide to build a realistic study routine in the weeks before your appointment.
Prepare early, get comfortable with each section, and the aptitude stage becomes a strength rather than a stumbling block.
Please note: forcesready.co.uk is an independent practice and preparation resource. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the RAF, the Royal Navy or the Ministry of Defence. Always confirm official requirements, locations and dates through the official recruitment channels.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I sit the DAA in London?
Depending on current arrangements you may sit the DAA online using your own device, or at an Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO) under invigilation. London has more than one AFCO, including a long-established office in the Bloomsbury / Handel Street area (WC1). Use the official AFCO finder on the Royal Navy or RAF recruitment site to confirm your nearest office, its opening hours and booking details.
How do I find my nearest Armed Forces Careers Office in London?
Search by postcode using the official AFCO finder on the Royal Navy careers site (find-an-afco) or the RAF recruitment centres page. These are kept up to date with current locations and opening hours, so they are more reliable than any fixed address you might see elsewhere.
Is the application process different in London?
No. The RAF and Royal Navy use the same national application process wherever you live. What London offers is convenience — multiple careers offices and strong transport links — but the online registration, eligibility checks, DAA, interview, fitness test and medical are the same across the UK.
Do I need to travel to a base like RAF Northolt or HMS President to apply?
No. Establishments such as RAF Northolt in west London and HMS President, the Royal Naval Reserve unit near Tower Bridge, are not where you apply or sit the DAA. Applications run through the online recruitment system and AFCOs. Those sites simply show how active the armed forces remain across the capital.
How should I prepare for the DAA before test day?
Get familiar with the six sections and the timing, and practise mental arithmetic since you cannot use a calculator. Work through free DAA practice tests to rehearse the format and pacing, and follow a structured study plan in the weeks before your appointment so the aptitude stage plays to your strengths.
Ready to start?
Try a free DAA sample, then unlock every section's full question bank.