Warrant Officer Jake Alpert

MBE

The Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force (WORAF) is the senior Warrant Officer of the RAF.

The post was created in 1996 and the person holding this appointment advises the Chief of the Air Staff on matters concerning airmen and airwomen of the RAF.

"Our reputation is built on our unwavering commitment to Operations at home and overseas.  We are in exciting times growing the ‘Next Generation Airforce’, making it both an honour and privilege to be a part of this journey, ‘Astra’."

Details

Warrant Officer Jake Alpert joined the Royal Air Force in 1988, completing his first tour with 15 Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Hullavington.  Upon completion of both the Pre-Parachute Selection Course and Basic Parachute Course, he undertook his first operational tour of Northern Ireland (NI). 

A subsequent move to II Squadron RAF Regiment would see him serve 11 years at various locations which included; RAF Hullavington, RAF Catterick and RAF Honington as well as undertaking further operational tours of NI, Cyprus, Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo and Sierra Leone. 

In 2001, Alpert was posted to the RAF Force Protection (FP) Centre at RAF Honington, joining 27 Squadron RAF Regiment at the Joint NBC Regiment on promotion to Sgt.  In 2004, Alpert completed the All Arms Commando Course and was awarded the Commandants’ Certificate.  He was subsequently assigned to 45 Commando Royal Marines as Troop Sergeant and Company Platoon Weapons Instructor on a Close Combat Company.  He completed two Operational tours with the Royal Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan.  On completion of his exchange tour with the Royal Marines, Alpert returned to 2 RAF FP Wing HQ at RAF Leeming, deploying immediately to Iraq on Op TELIC 10 alongside 34 Squadron RAF Regiment. 

In 2008, on promotion to Flight Sergeant, he re-joined II Squadron RAF Regiment, deploying to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 10 as an Intelligence Surveillance Recognition Manager for Commander Kandahar.  In 2010, he was promoted to Warrant Officer where he served at RAF Shawbury as the Station Warrant Officer (SWO) and Officer Commanding FP Training Flight.  In 2011, he returned to II Squadron RAF Regiment and Op HERRICK 15 as the FP WO and Camp Bastion Garrison Sergeant Major (GSM). 

In 2013, he saw another return to Afghanistan on Op HERRICK 18 as the Kandahar Air Field GSM.  On his return, Alpert was assigned to the RAF Regiment Training Wing at RAF Honington as Officer Commanding Training Assurance Cell.  In 2015, WO Alpert was selected for the RAF’s Executive Warrant Officer employment program, serving as the SWO at RAF Halton, where he received a Meritorious Service Medal and completed both the Intermediate Command Staff Course (Air) and the US KEYSTONE Staff Course.

In April 2017, Alpert was appointed the Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Allied Air Command, where he was also awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire and completed the NATO Command Senior Enlisted Leaders’ Course, the NATO Special Operations SUMMIT Course and the Roffey Park Emerging Leaders’ Program (a Tedder Academy initiative).  

In October 2019, he was appointed to his current role as Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The Royal Air Force is a world-class employer, ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ is part of our service life and we are all responsible for each other whether on Operations at home or overseas. We all have a responsibility to each other by respecting and appreciating what makes us different, in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, education, and national origin. 

Every individual in the Royal Air Force brings a diverse set of perspectives, work and life experiences, as well as religious and cultural differences. The Royal Air Force guarantees exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. Our ‘Inclusive’ culture makes us feel respected and valued across the Royal Air Force, not just service personnel, but the Whole Force.

I expect each and every one of us to play a part in this, to do the right thing when no one is looking, and ensure the culture and behaviours across the Royal Air Force reflect this.

Finally, we must protect the reputation of our great Service and ensure that your personnel feel valued to allow the Royal Air Force to operate at capacity in support of Air and Space Power.

Career history

1988 – Joined the RAF at RAF Swinderby

1990 – II Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Honington

2001 – RAF Force Protection Centre at RAF Honington

2003 – 27 Squadron Joint NBC Regiment at RAF Honington

2004 – Exchange to with Royal Marines at 45 Commando RM condor, Arbroath  

2007 – 2 RAF Force Protection Wing at RAF Leeming

2008 – II Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Honington

2010 – Station Warrant Officer at RAF Shawbury

2011 – II Squadron RAF Regiment at RAF Honington

2015 – Station Warrant Officer at RAF Halton

2017 – Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Allied Air Command at Ramstein Air Base

2019 – Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force at HQ Air Command RAF High Wycombe

Honours

1989 – GSM 62 Clasp Northern Ireland

1990 – The Gulf Medal 1990-91

1999 – NATO Medal with Clasp Kosovo

2002 – Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal 2002

2003 – LS&GC Medal (Royal Air Force)

2005 – The Iraq Medal without Clasp

2006 – Operational Service Medal for service in Afghanistan with Clasp

2011 – Accumulated Campaign Service Medal

2012 – Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal 2012

2013 – Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Clasp (Royal Air Force)

2016 – Meritorious Service Medal

2019 – Member Order of the British Empire (MBE)