ARMOURER

The Job

Armourers are primarily fitters specialising in the repair and modification of the Army’s weapons, from basic rifles to the Javelin guided missile. The job entails dealing with all ordnance, carriages and mountings, recoil systems and sighting systems fitted to in-service equipment.

The Right Job For Me?

You do not need to be super-fit to join the Territorials, but the training can sometimes be physically challenging so you need a good standard of health and stamina. As part of a larger unit, an ability to take orders is essential, but you must also be able to act on your own initiative if the situation calls for it. Armourers need to be able to cope with complex academic and practical training and show some evidence of manual dexterity.

What Skills Will I Learn?

You will be taught how to repair and modify small arms, machine guns and infantry support weapons, and how to inspect and classify basic optical instruments. Initial training will also involve the use of hand and machine tools, gauges and precision measuring equipment. More advanced training will cover the repair and modification of heavy armaments such as the 105mm Light Gun.

What Training Will I Do?

Initial training: Recruits carry out a number of training weekends with their new unit and the nearest Regional Recruiting Team. After completing this series of weekend courses, you then attend a two-week residential course at an Army Training Regiment, where you complete your initial training. The whole process takes around 12 months, and will equip you with the skills needed to fight and survive in the field, as well as boosting your fitness. Further training: After completing your initial training, you move on to basic trade training at the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at Bordon in Hampshire. Your minimum training commitment is 27 days. This is broken down into 15 days of continuous training with your unit, either on exercises or on a course, and 12 days of ‘out of camp’ training, made up of weekend training and other activities. You will normally be expected to attend for training on one evening a week, and might at first have to exceed the minimum requirement so you can get your qualifications.

What Qualifications Could I Get?

As a member of a Territorial unit you will have access to a Continuous Professional Development Plan and Personal Development Record. Together, these will help you identify and develop your skills and turn them into recognised civilian qualifications, which may be of help to you in your civilian career. Armourers may also apply for Artificer training – which, if selected, means undergoing further intensive military, trade and management training. Complete this successfully and you’ll be promoted to Staff Sergeant, with the possibility of further promotion to Warrant Officer 2 and Warrant Officer 1.

Future Prospects

As well as keeping you fit and helping you make friends for life, being in the Army gives you a major advantage in the increasingly competitive job market. Employers recognise Territorial soldiers as committed individuals who work well in a team and who are always looking for challenges and opportunities to extend their skills. They will know you are flexible, self-motivated, dependable, confident and responsible. Above all, being a Territorial soldier demonstrates that you can handle pressure, and have professional expertise backed up by solid experience.