At a glance
- Soldier
- engineering
- intelligence
Become an expert in analysing terrain to deliver mapping products, producing vital intelligence to inform commanders on the ground.
Where’s the best place to build a helicopter landing site? What’s the best route for a tank? And where would a missile do the most damage? Geographic Technicians answer all these questions and more. Trained in high-tech Geographic Information Systems, they analyse the landscape and give us vital data about it. Join us in this key role and you’ll learn to scan satellite pictures for enemy sites, make 3D models of the battlefield, plan special routes and more. Your training can take you far – within and outside the Army – plus, you’ll get to travel and do sports with mates.
Geographic Technician is a Geographic role in the Royal Engineers. All the Royal Engineer soldier job roles are divided into 5 groups. When you apply to the Engineers, you will apply to the trade group rather than the specific trade.
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.
Key Responsibilities
Learn to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Become an expert in positional surveying
Work with geographic data and satellite imagery
Create geographic products using advanced software
Deploy all over the world and advise senior commanders
Have any questions? Talk with us
Reserve (part time)
Entry requirements
Age:
From 17 years & 9 months to 42 years & 6 months
Qualifications:
3x GCSE grade 4/C, Scottish NAT 5 grade C, or above including English & Maths.
Basic physical fitness assessment:
Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3m
MSFT (beep test) level 7.5
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
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
Then, you go to the Army Training Centre, Pirbright, Surrey, to be trained by Regular Army instructors. You learn to handle weapons, read maps and give first aid. Combat Engineer training is given by your unit. Finally, you spend two weeks at the Royal School of Military Survey in Hermitage, Berkshire, learning the skills you need to be a Reserve Geographic Technician. You can also attend the Positional Survey course.
Qualifications you could get after training
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.