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Geographic Support Technician

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Geographic Support Technician Royal Engineers

Engineering

You produce information that allows commanders to read their surroundings and plan missions effectively. You compile and manage geographic data from a variety of sources. The detailed analysis of the combat terrain you provide, with access to advanced IT kit and geographic information systems, is essential.

Are you right for this role?

You should be:

Sex: Male or Female
Regular Army Age: 16 - 32.11 years
Territorial Army Age: 17.6 - 42.11 years

You should have:

Qualifications: Regulars need three GCSEs at grade C or above in Maths, English Language and one other. Territorials require professional qualifications.

You should like:

Computing and technology
Photography
Working in an office / indoors
Being hands on and fixing stuff
Responsibility and decision-making
Outdoor activities
Driving vehicles

You should be interested or have experience in:

Computing / IT
Technical Drawing
Ammunition & Explosives Handling
General Construction
Surveying
Driving large vehicles
Driving small vehicles

Sapper Luke Holmes has picked up loads of qualifications in his Army role

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Being a specialist engineer gets me respect from my Army colleagues, and will give me an edge in a career if I ever leave. My technical skills would match any in the civilian world, and driving certificates such as an LGV licence is just one of the many qualifications I’ve gained in the Army.

A day in the life

As a Geographic Support Technician you'll produce updated maps and charts for senior commanders

As a Geographic Support Technician you'll produce updated maps and charts for senior commanders

Careful analysis of the terrain can help the Army's leaders to plan their missions

Powerful computer servers can handle a massive volume of information

You'll work with some of the best technology available to people in your trade

You'll need to get out into the field on a regular basis to check the accuracy of each measurement

Giant printers like this one are used to print off highly detailed maps and charts
Each map is painstakingly checked for accuracy before it's issued to soldiers and officers

You'll put your skills to the ultimate test in a series of realistic exercises in the UK and overseas

As a Geographic Support Technician, you'll work as part of a highly skilled team

Regular
Army
Territorial
Army

Regular Army

Training

As a Royal Engineer you will receive three separate training packages prior to arriving at your first Unit. Initially you will attend an Army Training Regiment to be taught the basic skills required by all soldiers whilst developing your physical stamina and teamwork. Lessons will include the safe handling of weapons, map reading and first aid. This trade is available to adult entry only so if you are aged between (17-33yrs) you will train for 14 weeks the location of which will be based on your gender with Males training at Winchester and females at Pirbright. You will then move to the Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment near Camberley where you will spend 9 weeks learning military engineering skills, including knots and lashings, explosive demolitions and bridge building. Your technical training will take place at the Royal School of Military Survey in Hermitage where, as a Geo Tech you will spend 39 weeks learning how to compile, prepare and manage geographical data.

Skills you can learn

Basic training teaches you soldiering skills like how to survive outdoors and how to fire weapons. After this, the Military Engineer (Combat) course prepares you for life in the Royal Engineers. You learn to lay and clear mines, place demolition charges and build water crossings. You also learn about construction. Finally, you train to become a Geographic Support Technician.

Territorial Army

Training

As a Royal Engineer in the Territorial Army your training plan will be managed by your Unit the content of which will vary depending on your previous military experience trade qualifications and the Unit role. If you require basic soldier skills you will attend six weekends or a two week package at nearest Regional Training Centre to your area where you will be taught the basic skills required by all soldiers whilst developing your physical stamina and teamwork. Further development and confirmation of your basic soldier skills is completed on a two week trained soldier package conducted at the Army Training Centre, Pirbright by regular Army staff. Lessons will include the safe handling of weapons, map reading and first aid. Combat Engineer training modules are delivered by Units. Specialist Training is coordinated with the support of the Royal School of Military Survey in Hermitage where, as a Geo Tech you will spend 2 weeks learning how to compile and manage geographical data.

Skills you can learn

As a qualified Geographic Support Technician in civilian life, you are already able to use top-end IT kit and geographic information systems, as well as high-tech image analysis software. In your Army role, you use these to collect and compile geographic data taken from the field, and carry out three-dimensional analysis using specialist measuring instruments and software.

Move up the ranks

Sapper

Most Royal Engineers start out at this rank. You still get all the benefits of Army life, like a good rate of basic pay, free healthcare, and subsidised food and accommodation. But you’re not in charge of anyone, so you can focus on using your skills. Every promotion after this gets you extra pay.
Lance Corporal

Now you’ve got some experience, you take on some responsibilities by leading a small team of soldiers. It’s your job to check that their work is done to the right standard, and that they’ve got the skills and support they need. And if they’ve got a problem, they talk to you first.
Corporal

You’ve got day-to-day leadership experience. The next step is to go on a special course to develop your leadership and management skills, which prepares you to lead an even larger team. You still use your own trade skills, but you also set tasks and help develop the skills of other soldiers.