General Entry (Non-Technical Trainee) is the term used to describe the large number of non-technical jobs available to people entering the Air Force as airmen (non-officer entry) and for which training is provided. Each trade in the Air Force is referred to as a mustering; for example, the Cook trade is a mustering.

General Entry (Non-Technical Trainee) airmen graduate from recruit training with the rank of aircraftman/aircraftwoman and generally progress to leading aircraftman/leading aircraftwoman after 12 months productive service following completion of initial employment training and successful completion of a trade test or workplace assessment. Further promotion to corporal, sergeant, flight sergeant and warrant officer is based on performance, time in rank and vacancies and the successful completion of promotion courses.

Corporals are referred to as Non-Commissioned Officers, or NCOs, while sergeants and flight sergeants are called Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs). Warrant Officer is the most senior airman rank. A corporal will normally have some responsibility for the supervision of junior staff and this progressively increases on promotion to sergeant and flight sergeant. A warrant officer normally has a substantial personnel management role.

The Air Force has a system whereby serving airmen may, in certain circumstances, be appointed as officers. The prerequisites vary depending on your mustering, the preferred officer specialisation, your rank, performance history and a number of other factors.