'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 Technical Supply Specialist you will provide the logistic backbone to Royal Signals units, it is your job to ensure that technical equipment and supplies are always in the right place at the right time and in the right quantity. You will be responsible for running computerised stock control and accounting systems for technical stores and must also be able to run manual accounting systems. You will work both in static and mobile locations, and will handle the receipt issue and transfer procedures of a multinational specialist supply system. On operations or exercises you will find yourself responsible for mobile stores carried in a vehicle that you will be required to drive and maintain.

REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRESSION

To become a Royal Signals Technical Supply Specialist you do not require any formal academic qualifications. Your trade training lasts for 13 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 13 week course. You will be taught the theory and procedures associated with accounting and deploying of technical equipment.  Much of your training involves computer based accounting applications therefore you will also complete elements of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). The final stage of training is driver training that can last from two to four weeks dependent on your ability or previous experience. You will be taught to drive a car.

CIVILIAN RECOGNITION

You can achieve your category B (car) driving licence in training and while in the Field Army you may gain your B+E (car/trailer) plus C+E (LGV/trailer) licence. During trade training you can gain elements of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Level 1, Units 1, 2, 3 and 7. Upon completion of your trade training, you may attain City and Guilds 5391 - 01 Technical Storekeeping Part 1. At a later stage of your career, as a Class 1 tradesman, you may be eligible for a City and Guilds 5392 - 01 Technical Storekeeping Part 2. (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 Technical Supply Specialist. An explanation of each document is as follows:

• Technical Supply Specialist - Regular Army Adult entry
• Technical Supply Specialist (ADC) - Army Development College

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