The Battalion is highly operationally focussed. Most of its officers and soldiers have completed operational deployments, including in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. When deployed they are completely integrated with and work alongside their regular army Intelligence Corps counterparts. The Battalion's present focus is to prepare and deploy Intelligence Corps (INT CORPS) officers and soldiers to operations in Afghanistan.

The 346-strong Battalion has four Military Intelligence (MI) companies (52, 53, 54 and 55 MI Companies) based in locations across the UK, and maintains strong historic links to Edinburgh, York, Birmingham and Bristol. It is located in Middlesbrough, York, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Lisburn, Chorley, Stourbridge, Nottingham, Keynsham, Newport and Exeter.

The Battalion's strength is its people. Their common motive for joining is to seek an intellectual and physical challenge. They come from a range of backgrounds and represent a cross-section of high calibre talent from across the UK. This includes many professionals, such as managers, lawyers, accountants, police officers, civil servants, business people, IT specialists, and engineers.

They have impressive educational qualifications and experience. Two thirds of the Battalion, of all ranks, have university degrees, up to PhD level. Applicants interested in joining 5 MI Battalion (Volunteers) go through a technical selection process, to ensure applicants have the right aptitudes and motivations for intelligence work.

The Battalion aims to deliver complete MI Operators, who are strong analysts, and confident leaders and soldiers. As analysts the training emphasis is on building strong core Operational Intelligence (OPINTEL) skills and an understanding of actual and potential theatres of operation.

As analysts they need to be able to draw information from a wide range of sources, classified or open. They must be able understand quite complex situations and then communicate their conclusions to decision makers. Specialist skills across the range of intelligence disciplines may then be developed to broaden their skills. As leaders, they must have the judgment and confidence to speak truth to power.

The Battalion develops its leaders through a comprehensive Command, Leadership and Management package. This incorporates adventure training, challenge pursuits and sports - the Battalion currently competes at army level in running, sailing, swimming, orienteering, angling and shooting. At bottom, all MI operators are soldiers first, and the Battalion has a robust close combat skills package to ensure that officers and soldiers are prepared for operational service.

Recruit Vacancies

We are looking for committed men and women to serve as officers and soldiers within 5 MI Bn (V) as Military Intelligence Operators, willing to give up their time to train and operate alongside the regular army, on exercise and operations. 5 MI Bn (V) also have a small number of vacancies for military chefs, clerks and combat medics. We also have the same opportunities for current TA personnel who wish to transfer into 5 MI Bn (V) as either Military Training Instructors or Military Intelligence Operators.

Enlistment Requirements

Officers - 17 Years 6 months to 34 Years Old (on entry to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst)

Soldiers - 17 Years 6 months to 43 Year Old (Ex-regulars may be considered over the age of 43 Years Old on a case by case basis). All applicants MUST be sole UK citizens (no dual nationals) and have been resident within the UK for a minimum of 10 years.

The parents of all applicants MUST be UK citizens and have been resident within the UK for a minimum of 10 years. (It should be noted that all applicants are dealt with on a case by case basis. If there are any questions with regards to a candidate's eligibility please call the recruiting team).

Qualifications Required

• Officers - 2 x A Levels Grade E and above (180 UCAS Tariff pts), 7 x GCSEs (35 ALIS pts, must include Eng Lang, Maths & either a Science or Foreign Lang at C or above).
• Soldiers - 5 x GCSEs graded C or above. One of the 5 qualifications must be in English Language. The other 4 qualifications must be made up of the following subjects; Maths, History, Geography, Science (Science double counts as 2 GCSE's) Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Business Studies, or any language qualification. The majority of Soldiers however hold at least one degree.