Diversity of Role.

The role of a young officer within the Royal Signals is exceptionally diverse.  Your first Troop Command may involve supporting an Armoured Headquarters, leading a light Electronic Warfare team in an airborne role, commanding Gurkha soldiers or supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade as a member of 216 (Parachute) Signal Squadron.   The opportunities are endless.  With postings to new units and different types of employment every 18-24 months all Royal Signals officers are offered a continual and ever changing challenge.

Responsibility.

As a Troop Commander you can expect to command between 30 and 50 Royal Signals soldiers who are among the brightest and most highly skilled in the Army.  You may find yourself as part of an isolated detachment and have sole responsibility for communications planning and delivering military capability, or you and your Troop may be at less than 24 hours Notice to Move for deployment anywhere in the world.  The weight of responsibility vested in young Royal Signals officers is unrivalled in any civilian job and probably unmatched by anything else the Army has to offer. 

The Operational Challenge.

The role that the Royal Signals plays in providing command and control means that Royal Signals will be involved in all operational deployments. The chances of being sent on operations during your first few years of commissioned service are high.

 

Exceptional Opportunities.

As a Royal Signals officer you will have excellent opportunities for involvement in sport at all levels and will be expected to take a leading role in organising adventurous training expeditions for your unit. After an initial tour of approximately two years, Royal Signals officers will usually be posted to another unit where they will be faced with a new challenge and often a new role. As a junior Captain there will be opportunities to train soldiers; complete an infantry attachment or Cavalry attachment; serve with 18 (United Kingdom Special Forces) Signal Regiment; or to complete language training and an overseas attachment.  As a Squadron Second-in-Command or Operations Officer you will have the chance to influence the training and deployment of your squadron and to broaden your horizons whilst preparing yourself for sub-unit command and promotion into the wide range of technical staff appointments that the Royal Signals has to offer.

Qualities Required in a Royal Signals Officer.

The most important qualities required of a Royal Signals officer are leadership, resourcefulness and adaptability and it is by these criteria that the Royal Signals Regimental Selection Board (RSB) will assess the potential Royal Signals officers in the final term at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).  Although a technical background or degree is useful, it is by no means a requirement for those wishing to be selected for a commission in the Royal Signals - what we are seeking are high quality young officers who are capable of leading our extremely capable soldiers and delivering operational capability in a technical environment.