Vehicle Mechanic - Reserve
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
At a glance
- Featured
- Soldier
- engineering
- logistics
Thanks to world-class training you’ll learn to fix and drive everything from tanks to trucks. You’ll serve all over the world and gain qualifications and experience that will build a great CV.
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The Army needs loads of different vehicles, from tanks and quad bikes to HGVs and Land Rovers. Keeping them in good working order is a big job which is the responsibility of the Vehicle Mechanics. Wherever we are in the world, you will keep our vehicles on the road, even in extreme conditions. It’s great experience and we’ll give you first-class training.
The Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) provides engineering support to maintain and repair the vast array of British Army equipment. They will be found wherever the Army is operating, at home or overseas. The technical training our soldiers’ receive gives them the confidence to tackle any engineering problem. We are professional, resourceful and resilient, and we strive to keep fit equipment in the hands of the user; to keep the punch in the Army’s fist.
Key Responsibilities
Keeping the Army's vehicles working at home and on operations
Servicing and maintaining all vehicle types from tanks to HGVs
Conducting preventative maintenance
Working in line with Army policy on vehicle maintenance, and health and safety guidelines
Assisting in roadworthiness testing of all Army vehicles
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 42 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
GCSE Grade A*-C/9-4, or Scottish National 5 (A-C), in English, Science and Maths.
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3m
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
Then you begin your trade training to learn how to repair, service and inspect the Army’s vehicles, trailers and generators. Training is modular and most of it is done at your Army Reserve unit (at evenings and weekends) with key parts of the course delivered at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MOD Lyneham, Wiltshire.
Qualifications you could get after training
Eligibility for professional accreditation as an IMechE Engineering Technician once you have completed military Class 1 trade training.
Qualifications/accreditation in Leadership and Management.
You may also gain category B and C+E driving licences depending on your exact role.
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.