BECOME A GUNNER OFFICER

ARMY CAREERS ADVISOR

Your first step is to establish contact with the Army. Please see links on right hand side.

You will need to meet an ACA. They will explain the process and what happens when you attend selection at the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB).

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ARMY OFFICER SELECTION  BOARD (BRIEFING)

AOSB is where potential officers undergo selection (click on link on the right).  The AOSB Briefing is the first stage and is designed to give you an idea of what to expect at the AOSB Main Board and how best to prepare for it. You need to be physically fit and ensure your knowledge of current affairs is up to date.

The AOSB website is a good starting point and your ACA will also provide advice. Ask yourself why the Army would want to employ you as an officer.

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ROYAL ARTILLERY POTENTIAL OFFICERS COURSE

If you have passed the AOSB Briefing your ACA will send you on visits with different Arms and Services. The Royal Artillery run a Potential Officers Course over three days. You can find details on our website under "Visit Us". You will visit our Regimental Headquarters at Larkhill, Wiltshire. You will meet our soldiers, other potential officers and newly commissioned Young Officers. You will see guns firing live rounds, and some of the sophisticated equipment that we use on operations. You should be fit, motivated and interested in learning about one of the many careers available as an Army Officer.

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ARMY OFFICER SELECTION BOARD (MAIN BOARD)

AOSB (MB) (Click on link on the right) is a rigorous selection process intended to test you physically and mentally. It is the final stage of selection and all of your fitness and medical tests will be completed. Although a challenge, it should be enjoyable.  You should prepare by looking at both the AOSB website and the Army website.

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ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY SANDHURST

Before arriving at RMAS (Click on link on the right) in January, May or September, you will attend a Pre Commissioning Course Briefing Course. The Commissioning Course is widely recognised as the best leadership training in the world; the arduous 44 weeks are designed to develop you into a British Army Officer fit to lead its soldiers. It is here that you will confirm your interest in the Gunners and compete for a place at Regimental Selection Board. If you are lucky enough to commission into The Royal Regiment of Artillery then your next step will be to attend the Young Officers' Course at The Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill.

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THE YOUNG OFFICERS' COURSE

The Young Officers' (YOs') Course is 4 months long and will give you the specialist training you require to be a Gunner Officer.  At the start of this course that you will be taught about each part of the Royal Artillery, and once fully informed, you get to choose which part you wish to serve in.  Once you have decided what you wish to specialise in you will spend 3 months learning how to become a Troop Command in this field.  On completion of the course you will be posted to your Regiment, and your life as a Troop Commander begins!

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WHAT YOU NEED

Entry Requirements - Please click on link on right hand side to find out about age, fitness, medical, academical and nationality requirements for officers joining the Army.

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WHAT YOU GET

Variety - We have the widest range of career opportunities and disciplines in the Army and most officers serve in at least two different types of artillery regiment during their career. If that's not enough, there many more options within a regular career path.

Equipment - The diverse range of kit means you can work with Field Artillery (AS90, Light Gun and MLRS), Air Defence (Rapier, High Velocity Missile and C-RAM) and Surveillance and Target Acquisition (Radars, Sound Ranging, Specialist Patrols and Unmanned Air Systems).

Travel - With such diverse roles, the opportunities for operational experience and travel are second to none. Regiments are based in the UK, Germany and Northern Ireland and we deploy to every location where the British Army serve.

Sport and Adventure Training -The Royal Artillery offer fantastic prospects to take part in all manner of extra activities. As well as producing top level sports teams, the Gunners also run their own Adventure Training and Sailing Centres.

Combat-technical mix - The Royal Artillery is expected to man its equipment in combat situations and all Gunners are trained Infantry soldiers too, providing the best of both worlds.

Command - You get to command our most valuable asset - Gunner Soldiers.

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES?