At a glance
- Soldier
- combat
- engineering
The combat engineer role is an exciting and fast paced trade that requires the Royal Engineer soldiers (known as Sappers) to learn a vast selection of combat engineer skills that support personnel across every part of the battlefield.
Combat Engineers have a role in every area of the battlefield. At the front we support the rest of the Army, bridging rivers, clearing routes through minefields or using explosives to gain entry into buildings and destroy bridges.
Behind the front line we improve transport routes, construct camps, build runways and carry out explosive disposal. We also use our specialist skills to help rebuild after conflict. We provide humanitarian support in the form of water production, electrical supply, infrastructure and support to medical facilities, which provide essential healthcare to local people. Wherever we are, our skill and versatility is a match for any challenge.
The Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers allows the Army to work all over the world, whether it's involved in active combat or disaster relief. The Corps are ‘first in’, setting up bases ready for the rest of the Army to arrive and ‘last out’, closing down patrol bases and military camps. The Corps is at the forefront in disaster-relief operations, effecting rapid repairs to damaged infrastructure in stricken areas.
Provide water supplies to deployed personnel
Use demolitions to destroy objects or hinder movement
Build fortifications to protect personnel
Build bridges for personnel to get over obstacles
Use field engineering techniques to support personnel
Use watermanship techniques to travel over water obstacles
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years to 42 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications are required.
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull: 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw: 2m 70cm
MSFT (beep test): Level 5 shuttle 8
Training for the role
Step 1
Basic Training 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
You head to the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment near Camberley, Surrey, for 2 weeks. Here, you learn military engineering skills, such as knots and lashings, explosive demolitions, mine warfare and bridge building.
Qualifications you could get after training
L2 Employability Qualifications
Pay & benefits
You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £46.91 in training and rising to £58.99 per day once you're a Private. 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.