So,

I am not an expert of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (REME) trades so I asked a warrant officer who has been an electronics technician for about 20 years and he replied:

Job itself

Following Basic Training, you will spend approx. 18 months completing Trade Training at the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (DSEME) in Lyneham, Wiltshire. Here you will study full time for a BTEC in Electronic Engineering and an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship, before being assigned to your first Unit.

Once assigned to the Field Army, you will be part of a team working to maintain the Army’s fleet of vehicles and specialist electronic equipment, which varies depending on where you are posted, but includes anything from Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks to AS90 Artillery guns to digital communications systems.

Promotion courses are embedded in the career path to allow advancement in rank and responsibility and provide recognised qualifications in Leadership & Management through the Chartered Management Institute. while trade skills allow membership and progression with an Engineering Institute of your choice (IET is the main body for Electronics Technicians)

Later in your career you can choose to continue working in your trade or move into management roles by completing a BSc in Electronic Systems Engineering by going back to DSEME Lyneham for a further 18 months with the possibility of running your own repair workshop with a team of tradesmen under your command.

Advice

Go for it. The career structure for advancement and pay increase is among the best in the Army. Along the way picking up a multitude of civilian recognised qualifications for when the time comes to move back in civilian life. There’s also the opportunity to take part in Adventure Training and deployments around the world in your chosen sport or activity, which is introduced early during initial phase 2 training. Finally you’ll make friendships for life.

I hope that helps you.

27 April, 2020 09:40