• Be a vital part of the British Army
• Try something different
• Make new friends
• Take on a challenge
• Develope new skills

• Infantry Soldier - The Infantry soldiers main job is to seize and hold ground using weapons ranging from grenades and rifles to mortars and heavy machine guns.  Infantry soldiers are deployed all over the world fighting in trouble spots, carrying out peacekeeping duties or providing essential humanitarian aid to civilian communities.

• Gunner Artillery Command Systems - Computer systems are used to find and to hit the target even using information from a special battlefield meteorological system called BMETS for extra accurate gunnery.  It is this units job to make sure all this kit and working as it should even in the most difficult battlefield conditions.

• Gunner (High Velocity Missile) - High Velocity Missiles (HMV's) are used to stop enemy helicopters and low flying aircraft.  Its up to HMV gunners to find the best location for their weapon and make on-the-spot decisions about what's hostile and what isn't.

• Gunner (Light Gun) - The 105mm Light Gun is light enough to be parachuted into action, flown in by planes or helicopters.  The weapon's Gunners go with it, meaning that the Light Gun is a passport to one of the most varied careers for the Gunners who man and maintain it.

• Gunner (Multiple Launch Rocket System) - Multiple Launch Rocket Systems cover large areas with missiles or bomblets - batteries of launchers operate from concealed hides, firing up to 12 rockets and relocating before the enemy can return fire.

• Gunner Observation Post - It's not much use having guns and explosives if you can't see what it is you're shooting at.  This is where the Observation Post comes in, spotting targets and calling in artillery barrages.

• Gunner (Rapier) - Rapier untis are used to defend sites like ammunition dumps and can cover an area of 100km.  Gunners maintain and service the weapon - all under battlefield conditions.

• Royal Artillery Surveyor - Surveyors work with a wide range of weapons from AS90 assault gun to the Challenger Tank.  operating in the battlefield, they work in small teams, checking that artillery is hitting its tragets and passing relevant information back for the gunners and their targeting systems.

• Tank Crewman - As a trooper in the RAC Yeomanry, you can train on real and simulator Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks to become a Tank Gunner or Loader, ready to reinforce Regualr Army tank crews in battle.  Most units who have this role are equipped with stripped-down Land Rovers in their TA centres on which the Yeomanry can train in peacetime.

Engineering Roles

Here are a few of the engineering roles within the TA:

• Aircraft Technician - While Avionics Technicians take care of helicopters' instumental systems, Aircraft Technicians, or Air Techs, look after the rest.  This includes fitting the different types of ammunition used by the Army's helicopters and maintaining the ground systems.

• Armourer - From a relatively simple pistol to the complex AS90 gun, Armourers are responsible for the repair, maintainence and modification of all of the Army's weapons.  It's a precision job - there's no room for error with a gun that can fire 155mm shells over 20km.  Armourers can also progress to Artificer level, one of the most highly sought after jobs in the Engineering trades group.

• Avionics Technician - Army helicopters are heavily dependent on radr, complex instruments and weapons systems - and Avionics Technicians keep it all working as it should.  All AT's start life as Electronics Technicians before specialising after the second phase of their training.

• Electrician - Military Electricians are mainly concerned with electrical installation work and the generation and distribution of power.  Training includes workshop skills, electrical technology, electrical regulations and the principles of power generation, distribution and utilisation.

• Electronics Technician - Most tanks and self-propelled guns are electronic sighting systems, and sophisticated guided weapons systems are entirely dependent on their electronics.  The Army also relies on communications gear and information systems.  Electronics technicians keep it all working.

• Geographic Data Technician - The GDT collects and compiles geographic data from measurments taken in the field, from satellite imagery, aerial photography and other sources using highly specialised measuring instruments and computer software.  Geographic Data Technicians also manage operatiosnl geographic data using specialised databases.

• Marine Engineer - The Army has it's own ships to move heavy gear such as tanks, trucks and supplies all around the world.  Keeping this fleet operating effectivley - and afloat - is the job of the Marine Engineer.  They are normally assigned to a particluar craft and travel wherever ot goes, attending to its every mechanical need raning from maintaining diesel engines to being responsible for the operation of air compressors and water pumps.

• Metalsmith - If its made of metal, it's the Metalsmith's job to work on it whether its knocking dents out of Land Rovers, making tools for engineers or parts for vehicles and other equipment.  Metalsmiths are trained to use a range of hand tools and welding gear as well as how to work from plans and sketches.

• Technical Storeman - The Royal Electrical and Mechanial Engineers. (REME) use a huge number of tools and sepcialised equipment.  It's up to the Technical Storeman to keep track of where all this equipment is and to make sure its stored safely.  They have to know everything from security to issuing, receipting and accounting.

• Vehicle Electrician - All modern military vehicles rely on their electrical systems.  Without them, vehicles such as the Challenger 2 main battle tank would not only be unable to move but would be unable to fire their weapons.  The Vehicle Electrician is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the electrical systems of the Army's fleet, providing frontline support or working further back in specialist workshops.

• Vehicle Mechanic - There are two types: Vehicle Mechanic A or VM(A), specialises in maintaining heavy armoured vehicles that run on tracks, while Vehicle Mechanic B, or VM(B), specialies in light tracked and wheeled vehicles.  All vehicle mechanics are trained to make repairs out in the field or back at base.  They're also trained in how to drive  every type of vehicle they may have to service.

IT/Comms Roles

Here are the IT roles within the TA:

• Area Systems Operator - Royal Signals Area Systems Operators are responsible for the provision and maintenance of a wide range of mobile communication systems.  They work with everything from voice data systems to the latest IT technology, and can expect to be based in specialised communications centres or out in the field with mobile units.

• Driver/Lineman Royal Signals - Army drivers are expected to go anywhere at any time.  Cargoes can range from soldiers on patrol to fuel for Challenger 2 tanks waiting to start on an offensive.  Royal Signals drivers are trained to lay and test field cables supporting the Army's comms and IT systems.

• Operator Military Intelligence - Intelligence Operators are trained in how to understand what makes the enemy tick, the best way of getting information from other people and counter-intelligence theory and practice.  Specialist disciplines include imagery analysis and linguistics.

• Systems Engineer Technician  - If the Army's mainy units are to work together effectively, its complex communications network needs to be running smoothly at all times.  Thats the job of the Systems Engineer Technician.  Specialising in either radio or digital equipment, they also have to look after video, satellite and IT systems.

• Radio Systems Operator - Radios are the key to battlfield coomunications, but now they come as analogue and digital radio and satellite equipment working in the UHF,  VHF and HF systems.  Radio Systems Operators are trained how to use and maintian this wide range of sophisticated IT and telecommunications systems.

• Chef - TA chefs can run a busy kitchen in any environment, whether its a well-equipped kitchen on a base or a hastily set-up range with only emergency rations to work with.

• Driver - Cargoes can range from soldiers who need to be taken on patrol to fuel for Challenger 2 tanks waiting to start an offensive.  Drivers can go on to specialise with different types of vehicles.

• Driver Radio Operator - Driver Radio Operators maintain telephones, landlines and other communications equipment and are also expected to service and maintain the vehicles they are qualified to drive.

• Petroleum Operator - Petroleum Operator's tasks range from storing and transporting fuel to setting up and dismantling pipelines as well as fighting petrol fires.  They work in Specialist as well as Independent Units.

• Pioneer - As well as being fully trained infantry soldiers, Pioneers are also engineers and builders.  Training includes carpentry and bricklaying as well as military skills like handling ammo.  Pioneers work in Specialist as well as Independent Units.