I AM THE VITAL LINK!
“The aircraft must be able to be in comms with troops on the ground. Aviation Communication Specialists are so important."
Clear communication is vital to winning the battle. As a Communication Specialist it'll be your job to maintain the crucial link between the helicopters of the Army Air Corps and the ground forces, making sure everyone has the most up-to-date information. You'll also help pilots with their mission planning.
You'll learn to drive everything from Land Rovers to HGVs, and when you finish your training you can start working towards an Advanced Apprenticeship.
Training For The Role
Step 1
You'll start with your initial military training which will teach you how to be a soldier - this will cover everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle. If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years 5 months), you’ll do a 23-week basic military training course at Harrogate. If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years 1 month), you’ll do the regular 14-week adult basic training.
Step 2
You then have basic Groundcrew and Communication training. After this, you can decide if you want to be a Groundcrew Specialist or a Communication Specialist. You learn about ground-to-air and ground-to-ground communication networks. You're also taught to use our Mission Planning System and help pilots plan real-life missions. You work in a fast-paced operations room and develop IT and radio skills. You will also get a range of driving licences (Cat B (car) driving licence and Cat C+E (LGV) driving licence).
Entry Requirements
Age:
16 years 6 months - 35 years 6 months
Qualifications:
No formal qualifications needed
Fitness:
- Mid Thigh Pull 118kg
- Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
- 2km run 11m 15s (11m 30s for Junior Entry)
Qualifications You Could Get After Training
- Advanced Apprenticeship - IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals
- Membership of Institution of Engineering &Technology (IET) and Engineering Council, with entitlement to designatory letter ICT Tech & TMIET
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Logistics Operations
- Degree level 4 & 5 Certificates and Diplomas in Management &Leadership from CMI and ILM
- Level 3, 4 and 5 Award, Certificate and Diplomas in Education and Training
Rank Progression
Pay and Benefits
“I supervise teams of signallers providing communications. Communications are vital for aviation command and give us an up-to-date picture of the battle. The work can be challenging and you need to stay focused, but the training is great and the job is very rewarding."
HOW TO APPLY
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.
