Repair and maintain all Army vehicles
Lance Corporal Howell loves the responsibility and travel his job brings
There are a wide range of vehicles in the Army from Tanks and Quad Bikes to HGVs and Land Rovers. Keeping them in good working order is a big job. That’s why we need Vehicle Mechanics. In this role, you get to work on different vehicles every day. Wherever you are in the world, you will keep our vehicles on the road, even in extreme conditions. It’s great experience and we’ll give you first-class training. You’ll gain driving licences and NVQ level 2 and 3 in Engineering. You can then build an exciting future inside or outside the Army.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Keeping the Army's vehicles available in barracks and on operations
- Servicing and maintaining all vehicle types from Tanks to HGVs
- Conduct preventative maintenance
- Working in line with Army policy on vehicle maintenance and Health and Safety guidelines
- Assist in roadworthiness testing of all Army vehicles
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
Then you go to the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MoD Lyneham, Wiltshire. Here, you learn to be a mechanic. Over the next 46 weeks, you are taught how to fix vehicles and carry out maintenance, repairs, and inspections. Tanks,trucks, quads – you’ll work with all kinds of vehicles. You will also get the driving your car and HGV driving licences.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 16 years 6 months - 35 years 6 months
QUALIFICATIONS: GCSE Grade A–D/9-3 in at least English Language, Maths and Science
FITNESS: Lift 30kg, Carry 60m, 1.5 mile run in 14 min (14 min 30 sec for junior entry)
From 1 April 2019, the tests you take at the Assessment Centre will change:
Mid Thigh Pull 94kg
Medicine Ball Throw 3.1m
2km run 11m 15s (11m 30s for Junior Entry)
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance
- Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Engineering
- Qualifications at different levels, in Leadership and Management
- Car and HGV licenses + Opportunity for tracked vehicle and plant licenses
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit, your pay will rise to £18,859.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“Joining the Army was the best decision I’ve made in my life. It’s been an amazing adventure. I’ve been based in Germany and skied in Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Canada. I’ve deployed to Canada, Jordan, Germany and all over the UK on exercise. I’ve also been on operational deployment to Afghanistan. I’ve gained an NVQ level 2 and NVQ level 3 in Engineering Maintenance, which will help me in Civvy Street. I’ve also built my own drift race car; something I’ve always wanted to do. Now I travel all over the country to drift.”
TRAINING FOR THE ROLE
First, you have basic training and learn to be a soldier. Then you go to the Defence School of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering at MoD Lyneham, Wiltshire. Here, you learn to be a mechanic. Over the next 46 weeks, you are taught how to fix vehicles and carry out maintenance, repairs, and inspections. Tanks, vans, motorcycles – you’ll work with all kinds of vehicles. You will also get the driving licences you need:
category B and C+E.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Age: 17 years 9 months - 49 years 11 months
QUALIFICATIONS: GCSE Grade A–D/9-3 in at least English Language, Maths and Science
FITNESS: Lift 30kg, Carry 60m, 1.5 mile run in 14 min
QUALIFICATIONS YOU COULD GET AFTER TRAINING
- Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance
- Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Engineering
- Qualifications at different levels, in Leadership and Management
RANK PROGRESSION
Learn about rank progression here.
PAY & BENEFITS
REGULAR
Earn £15,230 during training. When your Initial training is finished, and you join your unit, your pay will rise to £18,859.
RESERVE
You’ll get paid a day rate according to your rank, starting from £37.47 in training and rising to £46.42 per day once you’re a Private. This includes being paid for weekly drill nights. Plus, if you complete all of your annual training days, you’re entitled to a tax-free lump sum called a bounty. More about Reserve benefits
FROM THE FIELD
“At the start, I was worried that having two jobs – one of them in the Army – would be difficult. But it really isn’t. I can parade at the times that suit me best and I’ve gained the same qualifications as the full-time soldiers. My civilian job is in an office so being a Reserve has helped me to see the world. I’ve been to Europe and gained all my driving licences, including my HGV, all while being paid. I went to Cyprus on operations and gained my Hazardous Materials licence (to drive petrol tankers), in case a fuel strike happened. “
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.