Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney - 244

officer, chief petty officer, then warrant
officer. If you show commitment, skills
and academic ability, you may also have
the chance to become a commissioned
officer. You'll be chosen for promotion
on merit, so if you work hard, you can
quickly rise through the ranks.
If you meet the criteria, pass the tests
and are accepted as a rating, you'll attend
a four-day induction course to make sure
you're ready. You'll then undergo 10 weeks
of basic training at HMS Raleigh, followed
by further professional training.
Officers undergo 15-30 weeks training
at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC)
in Dartmouth, which includes academic
study, exams and physical challenges.

You'll work in the ship's
SALARY
engineering branch,
A typical starting
using radio and satellite
salary is £14,492
systems to send and
for ratings, or
receive vital messages,
£25,220 for
officers.
many of which may be
top secret. You'll also
handle weather forecasts and day to
day communications, and ensure
equipment is fully functional.

You'll need...
Commitment, enthusiasm and lots
of common sense, plus an interest
in computers, electronics and IT
equipment. You must be able to work
as part of a team, be accurate, good
at multi tasking, discreet and reliable.
There are bonuses and incentives,
including a £27,000 bonus for
graduate engineers on completion
of training. Benefits include free
dental and medical care.

2 4 4 /// J O B S & C A R E E R S

doing basic
training at
Sennybridge
Training Area

British Army
here are over 200 roles in
the British Army, across
20 corps and regiments,
so finding something that
will suit your skills and attributes
shouldn't be too difficult.
The Army's primary task is to help
defend the interests of the UK, which
consists of England, Wales, Scotland
and Northern Ireland. This may involve
service overseas as part of a North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) force, or
any other multinational deployment.
Soldiers may also be deployed on United
Nations (UN) operations, and used to
help in other emergencies.
You can join the Army as a reserve, a
soldier or an officer, and you need to sign
up for a minimum of four years.
The Army is currently undergoing
changes, which should result in a fully
integrated force by 2020. This will mean
that the 82,000 regulars and 30,000
trained reserves will combine to provide
an Army of 112,000. Reserves, who
work part-time around other jobs, will
be used routinely, rather than only in
extreme circumstances.
You'll need to be fit and healthy to join
the Army, and able to meet the eligibility
criteria and pass the entrance tests.
As a soldier, you'll start off as a private
(although you may have a different title,
such as gunner or sapper, depending
on your regiment). You'll undertake an
initial 14-20 week training course, then
move on to phase 2 training, which
will be tailored towards the field you'll
be working in, such as logistics, aviation

or engineering. Once qualified, it usually
takes around three years to advance to
lance corporal, and 12 years to sergeant.
As an officer, you'll start off as an
officer cadet during your initial training
at Sandhurst, which takes 48 weeks (less
for those with professional qualifications
in areas such as law or medicine). This
intensive training period covers military,
practical and academic subjects, and is
mentally and physically demanding.
More than 80% of officer cadets are
graduates. Once commissioned as an
officer, you'll become a second lieutenant
for around two years, before progressing
up to lieutenant.

Be a geographical
support technician
You'll produce vital
SALARY
information that
Soldiers start on
allows commanders
£14,492 during
to understand their
training; rising to
surroundings and plan
£17,945 upwards
as a private.
missions effectively. You'll
put together and manage
geographic data from a variety of sources,
using advanced IT kit and geographic
information systems. As well as the basic
training, you'll undertake nine weeks at
the Royal School of Military Engineering,
followed by 39 weeks technical training
at the Royal School of Military Survey.

You'll need...
GCSEs (C or above) in English language,
maths and one other subject. You must
be aged 16-32, and interested in decision
making, technology and outdoor activities.

Words: Kia Hansen. Images: Getty Images, Shutterstock.

Be a communications and
information systems specialist

Welsh Guards
Jobs & Careers with Piers Linney

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