Defence School of Electronic & Mechanical Engineering

Recovery Mechanics have the job of racing into the field, recovering an immobilised vehicle and getting it back to somewhere safe where it can be properly fixed. All this makes them popular soldiers in the eyes of marooned vehicle crews.

Being a Recovery Mechanic is a physically arduous job, and as recovery mechanics are at the centre of the action with the armoured vehicles and infantry during operations, they also have to be quick thinkers.

First, they have to work out how to recover a vehicle that has broken down, become stuck or overturned. Then they have to put their plan into action. Recovery Mechanics use cranes, lifting gear and their training in mechanical theory to help them work out how to retrieve immobile vehicles.

Armourers maintain, repair and modify all of the Army's weapons, whether they are simple rifles and pistols or complex heavy weapons like the 155mm weapon system on the AS90 tracked artillery vehicle or the 120mm weapon system on the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank.

The role of an Armourer is varied and important - you will have to have a detailed knowledge and understanding of all the Army's weapons, and there's no room for error with a weapon system that can fire shells over distances of 30 km. Every unit has its own weapons, so they depend on the REME Armourer to ensure they are ready to fight.

If a piece of equipment is made from metal then it is the job of a Metalsmith to work on it, whether by repairing broken parts, carrying out vehicle bodywork repair, fabricating tools for other repairs or fitting parts on vehicles and other equipment.

The training is very thorough, with periods of time working on sheet metal, blacksmithing and all types of welding. In both your training and on the job, you'll get your hands on a huge range of kit - including all the modern electric arc welding processes and the more traditional oxyacetylene welding gear - to carry out tasks such as vehicle repair and the manufacture of parts.

Vehicle Mechanics are responsible for the repair and maintenance of all wheeled and tracked vehicles used by the British Army including heavy armoured vehicles such as the Challenger 2 main battle tank; light tracked vehicles such as the fleet of Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and wheeled vehicles such as the Mastiff and Foxhound Protected Mobility fleet.

The role of a Vehicle Mechanic is to work out what's gone wrong with the vehicle and then to repair it. After around 20 weeks of technical training you will be taught to drive many of the vehicles you will be called upon to maintain and inspect, so you will gain your Cat C (Car) and Cat C (HGV) driving licences as a minimum.

There are 3 main roles of the Technical Support Specialist (TS Spec) - to look after these tools and pieces of equipment, to deliver 'life support' to the tradesmen in the REME and to deliver military training to soldiers in their unit.

After passing courses in Technical Stores accounting you will be able to progress onto instructional courses in weapon handling, tactics, first aid, navigation, chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear defence. You will then help train your colleagues in these skills. If you excel at delivering instructional periods then you could be selected to instruct in a Phase 1 (basic military training) or Phase 2 (technical training) training establishment.

Aircraft Technicians are responsible for carrying out maintenance of the mechanical systems on the Army's manned aircraft including Apache, Lynx and Wildcat helicopters and unmanned aircraft including Watchkeeper and Desert Hawk 3.

The maintenance of these aircraft will include inspection, fault diagnosis, repair and modification of aircraft structures, engines and mechanical systems.

Once any aircraft maintenance is complete, Aircraft Technicians have to certify their work and prepare the aircraft for flight. The ability to sustain high standards of engineering integrity whilst working under pressure and within demanding environments are essential for flight safety.

Avionics Technicians are responsible for carrying out maintenance on the electrical and electronic systems of the Army's manned aircraft including Apache, Lynx and Wildcat helicopters and unmanned aircraft including Watchkeeper and Desert Hawk 3.

The maintenance of these aircraft will include inspection, fault diagnosis, modification and repair of avionic, electrical and weapons systems.

Once any aircraft maintenance is complete, Avionics Technicians have the necessary knowledge required to certify their work and prepare the aircraft for flight. The ability to sustain high standards of engineering integrity whilst working under pressure and within demanding environments are essential for flight safety.

Electronics Technicians maintain and modify the electronic systems within a vast array of military equipment ranging from fighting vehicles to communication equipment and surveillance systems.

Amongst the equipment you will get to maintain are some of the most sophisticated pieces of equipment in the Army to date. During their career Electronics Technicians will become experienced in the technical aspects of many areas including telecommunications, radar, electronic counter measures, lasers, thermal imaging and weapon control systems.