The Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, better known as the White Helmets, has been around since 1927 when they performed with both Horses and Motorcycles.  The horses have long since been retired but the tradition of excellence remains and is still embodied by today's Team.

The Team perform to military and civilian audiences across the UK and around the world from April to October and are always a crowd pleaser.  Combining the fast pace crossover rides and slower feats of skill and balance on their classic Triumph Tiger 750cc machines the Team demonstrate the skill, courage, trust and bravery required by a modern Royal Signals soldier.

The White Helmets are always looking for new riders.  Don't worry if you have never ridden a motorcycle before; we will teach you everything you need; before long we will have you jumping through fire with confidence and style. 

The Team will accept applications from any volunteers, regular or territorial, ranked Sig - Cpl with a PES of P3(LE) or above.   A normal tour with the Team lasts 3 years (2 years for FTRS) and during that time you can expect to be given a much greater level of responsibility than in a working unit.  While you are with the Team you will not deploy on Operations but will inevitably work weekends, all leave is generally taken in the off season November to February.

Members of the Team can gain qualifications such as: 

Brigade Recruiting Advisory Course
SHEF advisor
1st Aid at Work
Fire NCO
Driving licence categories D and C+E
City and Guilds in Welding (Mig, Tig & Arc)
POL NCO

As well as that there is a chance to be on the Team Permanent Cadre for 5 years in a variety of roles such as:

 Team Sgt
 Chief Instructor
 Chief Mechanic
 Stores NCO

What does it take to become a White Helmet?  There is no mould, White Helmets are the kind of people who get up after a fall, dust themselves off and try again.  It's all about attitude!

Selection occurs annually in November and runs over two weeks.  The first week consists of familiarisation training on Bovington Training Area using modern motocross bikes, during which you will get to grips with riding a bike in a variety of situations and on differing terrains.  The second week will see you learn some of the tricks you may eventually perform in a show.   On the final day you will perform for the Regimental Colonel in a small pass off show and will culminate in you completing a fire jump.

All the information you require can be found in SOinC(A) PD 204 or for more of an idea of what the Team gets up to go to www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/whelmets.html