Patrols Special Observer - Reserve
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.
Starting salary
£16,844
Age range
17.9 to 43.6
Role details
Entry Requirements
Age
To apply for this position, you must be between 17 years & 9 months old and 43 years & 6 months old at the time of your application.
Fitness
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
2km run 11 min 30 sec
Education
No formal qualifications needed
About the Role
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.
Key Responsibilities
Get behind enemy lines
Find enemy threats
Call in fire on targets
Work covertly
Enjoy a varied job role
Training
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.
Pay and 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.
Qualifications You’ll Earn
Specialist vehicle licences
NVQ in Learning and Development
Computer Literacy and IT Stage 1
Literacy and numeracy qualifications
Institute of Leadership and Management