In addition to your specialist professional and technical training, SPS soldiers undertake the same basic military training as everyone else in the Army. On completion of your training, you will be assigned to a unit where you will work as part of a team, providing support for to up to 700 officers and soldiers, wherever they may be located around the world.
Every unit in the Army needs the support provided by SPS personnel, from front line Battalions, through to NATO Headquarters. It is essential that officers and soldiers are administered wherever they serve and you will have the opportunity to travel and work overseas, on operations and exercises around the world. The majority of assignments are for three years and so you will always be faced with new challenges.
The wide variety of assignments available to an SPS soldier is just one of the benefits of joining the SPS Branch and is almost unrivalled throughout the Army. You can serve in major Army or Tri-Service Headquarters as a Personal Assistant or as a Management Accountant and in Embassies, Foreign Commonwealth Offices or with Special Forces.
You may attempt P Company or the All Arms Commando Course if serving alongside certain units. There are also opportunities to work with Army recruiting and as an instructor at Basic or Initial Trade Training.
SPS soldiers start in the role of Military Personnel Administrators and have a highly important function in the Army. Administration is a key enabler to ensure the smooth running of each and every aspect of the military environment. It maximizes a soldier's performance, often on operations in dangerous and austere conditions, without being distracted by personal or family administrative issues.
SPS Branch is characterised by its true professionalism, a clear sense of purpose, by an intelligent and positive approach to the delivery of administrative capability, by the energy and pace by which we achieve early resolution of the challenges which lie in our way and by the 'soldier first' ethos that pervades everything that we do.
Diploma for Military Personnel Administrators
- Progressive levels of membership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Progressive levels of membership with the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)
- Accountancy qualifications such as the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
Personal Development opportunities include:
- A Foundation Degree in Human Resource Practice with Stafford University
- Degree opportunities in HR, Business or Leadership and Management
Once you have completed your training, you will be assigned to a unit as a Military Personnel Administrator in the rank of Private. From earning £14,784 at the start of Basic Training, rising to £18,306 at the end of Initial Trade training, promotion prospects within the AGC(SPS) are excellent.
Lance Corporal
This rank is achievable after 18 months, subject to recommendation and selection where you would earn a salary of £25,272. You will start stepping up to cover areas of more senior members of your team.
Corporal
After 24 months as a Lance Corporal you will be eligible for promotion to Corporal with a salary of £29,474. As a Corporal you will have increased responsibility and step into the role of Senior Military Personnel Administrator often mentoring your junior colleagues.
Sergeant to Warrant Officer
There is a clearly defined path to the rank of Warrant Officer and opportunities exist to become an Army Officer for those who demonstrate the leadership and personal qualities required. You will have plenty of chances to attend various courses and to gain extra qualifications as your career progresses.
As a Military Personnel Administrator, you will be expected to have a good level of secondary education, with particular emphasis in written and verbal communication skills. Candidates must:
- Have GCSEs (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics in Grade A-D/9-3. Vocational Qualifications such as an NVQ in Business Administration will also be considered.
- Achieve a GTI score of 50.
- Be medically fit
- Not have a current driving ban.
You should be interested in:
- Helping people
- Finance and administration
- Technology
- Adventurous training and sports
Experience you have or would like to get:
- Finance, accounting and administration
- Human resources
- Computing/IT
- Media communications
If you are interested in joining the Army you should contact your nearest Army Careers Centre for more information and/or apply online through this website. Your application will then be processed and you will be allocated a Candidate Support Manager.
The AGC run Regimental Insight Courses in Worthy Down which are held throughout the year. They are free to attend and will give you an insight into Army life to help you decide that the AGC SPS is for you. If you are interested in attending one of these you can apply through your Candidate Support Manager.
After successfully passing the Army Development Selection Centre all AGC soldiers complete basic training at either the Army Training Regiment Winchester or Army Training Centre Pirbright. If you are between 16years and 17years and 10 months you will complete the Junior Entry Basic training at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.
The Service Initial Personnel Administration Course takes place at Worthy Down and is 15 weeks of specialist Initial Trade training. You will receive comprehensive training in all aspects of military administration, personnel management and finance as well as general secretarial, clerical and office duties.
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