The Royal Logistic Corps are the Army’s professional logisticians keeping the Field Army marching, its helicopters flying, its vehicles moving and its tanks and guns firing. We enable its deployment and supply it with everything it needs, wherever it operates, throughout the world.

Once your online application has been approved, you'll meet with a local recruiter. This is your chance to tell us about the role that you're interested in. When you go to the Assessment Centre, you'll take tests - the results will show whether you'd be suitable for this role, or should consider a different role.

 will help you through the process - you don't need to wait until you've finished Army Assessment to get involved.

. 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.

We use specialist machinery, such as cranes and drive different types of vehicles in order to carry out our operations. Working alongside the Royal Marines and Airborne Forces means that we get plenty of opportunities to travel, working in ports worldwide and helping to support operations and disaster relief tasks. We also have opportunities to complete an apprenticeship and gain widely-recognised trade qualifications.

We also have a Regimental Dive Team and have a proud history competing in Army Sports.

You'll earn £26,334 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.

If you are part of the Regimental Dive Team, you can earn additional pay between £285 and £670.

You'll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £63.27 in training and 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.

A Port Operator loads cargo on and off of ships safely. Join the British Army to be trained using specialist machinery, making you an expert in your chosen career.

Port Operator | Army Jobs

A Reserve Port Operator loads cargo on and off of ships safely. Join the British Army Reserve to be trained using specialist machinery, making you an expert in your chosen career.

Reserve Port Operator | Army Jobs

As a Port Operator soldier, my career in the Army is challenging and varied. In my 10 years of service, I have been deployed across the world on operations and exercises supporting both UK and NATO forces. In the last seven months, I have conducted port operations in South Africa, Tristan De Cunha, Morocco and Norway. As the famous Port Op phrase goes 'Another paid holiday for a few hours graft!' As well as gaining great experience, I have won silverware for representing the Regiment at football, kayaking and boxing.

I have been in the Army Reserve for a while now and every time I train it’s a challenge, you are always trying to better yourself and as a Port Operator there is always something different to think about whilst operating the different machinery. Also there is always the opportunity to deploy on Port Task Groups to further your trade knowledge. It’s not all work though as the opportunities to travel and experience different activities does come into the equation. I recently travelled to Italy as part of a team to compete in a military skills competition." - Corporal Gulliver

Port Operator

You'll start with your initial military training which

 teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. 

Next you’ll complete the Port Operator Class 3 course where you will learn the safety aspects of working in a hazardous port environment and gain your MHE Licences. You’ll also learn how to transfer cargo between military and civilian transport using cranes and other equipment. During this stage you will also earn your category B and C+E licenses at the Defence School of Transport in Leconfield.

On promotion, and after earning two further MHE Specialist Qualifications, you will begin the Port Operator Class 2 course. Later on, you will complete the Port Operator Class 1 course, which includes learning how to be a Crane Supervisor.

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.

Then it’s onto a 2 week course where you’re trained to be a Port Operator. Later, you can get your Cat C driving licence. We’ll do our best to make sure training fits around your day job.

Port Operator - Reserve

Role details

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Qualifications You'll Earn