'I wouldn't change my choice: I've a trade which will really help me to get a job if I decide to return to civilian life... I've visited places I'd never have seen otherwise... I've got my Army colours for karate... I'm about to buy my first house.'

THE JOB

As a Royal Signals Driver Lineman you will be an essential part of a world-class telecommunications organisation. In this dual trade you will be taught to drive, maintain and service a wide variety of vehicles from cars to Large Goods Vehicles and the movement of hazardous materials (HAZMAT). You will also be trained to construct field cable routes and lay fibre optic cabling to support the Army's IT and communication systems. There are a number of jobs you can progress towards including Fleet Manager, Driving Instructor and Qualified Testing Officer.

REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRESSION

To become a Royal Signals Driver Lineman you do not require any formal academic qualifications. Your trade training lasts for 20 weeks. On completion of trade training you will be posted to the Field Army as a Class 3 trained soldier and after a year's experience you will become eligible for upgrading to Class 2 and a pay rise. Promotion is earned and based upon experience, ability and merit. Each upgrading and promotion is accompanied by a pay rise.

BASIC TRAINING

In line with the rest of the Army, you will receive a minimum of 14 weeks basic military training which will include drill, how to handle and fire a weapon, field craft, map reading, first aid and physical fitness training.

TRADE TRAINING

On completion of basic training you will move to 11 Signal Regiment Blandford Forum, Dorset to commence trade training at the Royal School of Signals for a 6 week course. You will be taught the theory and practice of installing and testing different types of field communication cables and telephones. Your training also involves computer skills therefore you will complete elements of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). Finally you will spend 14 weeks at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield, East Yorkshire learning how to drive cars and Large Goods Vehicles (LGV) with and without trailers.

CIVILIAN RECOGNITION

You can achieve your category B+E (car/trailer), C+E (LGV/trailer) and Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) licences. During Trade Training you can gain elements of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) at Level 1, Units 1, 2, 3 and 7 plus Key Skills Level 1. At a later stage of your career you will have the opportunity if you so wish to qualify as a driving instructor. You may also attain the Apprenticeship in Carrying and Delivering Goods at Level 2. As a Class 1 tradesman and at the rank of Sergeant, you can become a Qualified Testing Officer; responsible for conducting driver testing and issuing civilian pass certificates. (All qualifications subject to successful passes in exams and the level of practical experience required).

JOB DESCRIPTION

On the right hand side of this page you will see hyperlinks to PDF Documents. These are the Job Descriptions for the Driver Lineman Trade. An explanation of each document is as follows:

Communication Systems Operator - Regular Army Adult entry
Communication Systems Operator(ADC) - Army Development College

This trade is only available to Regular Army recruits and has no Territorial Army(TA) equivalent trade.