At a glance
- Soldier
- combat
You’ll go ahead of frontline forces and scope out the enemy. Off duty, you’ll get to try Adventurous Training and sports, and gain qualifications too.
The more we know about enemy positions the better and as a Special Observer you’ll give us a clearest picture. You join a team of six that works ahead of friendly forces – sometimes behind enemy lines. You then report back on what you see. You might also direct fire from artillery, attack helicopters, jets or missiles to destroy enemy targets. We’ll give you first-class training, but you have to be fit, quick-thinking and a team player. You can add to your skills with qualifications in English, Maths and IT. With travel and Adventurous Training, it’s an amazing experience.
The Royal Artillery is the heart of the action - everywhere across the battlefield - providing the British Army with its eyes, ears and firepower. Using high-tech surveillance devices and uncrewed aircraft, the Royal Artillery finds the enemy. We then monitor them before striking decisively. We do this by co-ordinated use of our guns, rockets and missiles, the Army’s attack helicopters and other weapons, including fast jets and even the guns of Royal Navy ships.
Key Responsibilities
Get behind enemy lines
Find enemy threats
Call in fire on targets
Work covertly
Enjoy a varied job role
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 43 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications needed
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
MSFT (beep test) level 6.6
Army Reserve standards
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm
MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8
Training for the role
Step 1
You start Basic Training, this consists of two main courses and some online training packages. You can book on the courses to fit around your daily life, so it could take you several months to finish your basic training.
Module 1: Foundation Training. 5 alternate residential weekends Fri - Sun at an Army training centre OR a nine-day residential course.
Module 2: Battlecamp. 15-day residential course at an Army training establishment. You will learn fieldcraft, Skill at Arms, fitness training, qualities of a soldier, military knowledge, Battlefield casualty drills, individual health and education. This will culminate with a Passing Off Parade which your family and friends can attend to celebrate your success.
Step 2
After training you can volunteer for the Surveillance and Target Acquisition Patrols Course, joining Regular soldiers for training and test exercises. You get fit, learn medical, communications, navigation and patrol skills, and train on live-firing ranges. Next you learn advanced photography and how to call in artillery strikes. SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist and Extract) training teaches you how to survive in the field and avoid capture. Then you’re ready to join your six-person patrol and deploy on operations anywhere in the world.
Qualifications you could get after training
Specialist vehicle licences
NVQ in Learning and Development
Computer Literacy and IT Stage 1
Literacy and numeracy qualifications
Institute of Leadership and Management
Pay & benefits
You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and once you're a Private and increasing as you rise through the ranks. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training, you're entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty.
How to Apply
When you decide to apply, your local unit will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.
To join, you have to apply online. The application process will take some time, but you can also ring the unit you're interested in joining - the team there will help often invite you to join them for drill nights, and you'll get support for your application.