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Vehicle Mechanic and Electrician
Vehicle Mechanics and Electricians are responsible for the fault diagnosis, repair and maintenance of the Army's large range of vehicles including motorcycles, cars, a variety of trucks and tracked armoured vehicles.
Minimum entry standard: Must be below the age of 37 on entry and have City & Guilds Part 2 or equivalent qualification or be undertaking a modern apprenticeship.
Corporal Simon Currie 104 Bn REME from Guilford
It started back in 1997. I was creeping towards thirty years of age and tinkering with my motorbike on the drive, when a neighbour asked if I had heard of the Territorial Army, in particular, the REME specialist sector who were looking for 'enthusiastic amateurs'. 104 Battalion is based in Bordon, Hampshire and they only train at weekends, no mid-week training nights.
After some gentle persuasion, I suddenly found myself in Bordon surrounded by an Army recruiting team. I was dressed in green coveralls with a group of people who looked as nervous as I felt. The recruit assessment weekend went well, I found out more about how the system worked, got to know some interesting people and had fun tackling the obstacle course in the small hours of Sunday morning. The army food wasn't that bad either! I even got paid for turning up, I was hooked.
At the end of Recruit training, I was posted into 211 Wksp Coy and spent the first few years honing my trade and military skills. This consisted of a number of weekends working at regular barracks and participating in competitions such as Southern Craftsman. Although tough, there was always time found for the occasional jar of ale in the NAFFI bar to instil the "play together,stay together" mentality.
I spent another two weeks at the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers where I passed my TA Junior vehicle mechanic qualification (VM2). This increased my daily pay rate and set me on the road to promotion.
The highlight of the first few years was an awesome trip to Gibraltar. This consisted of a week's military skill training in the underground tunnels and fighting villages on the rock, followed by 'RnR' in Morocco and adventure training such as rock climbing and scuba diving. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself to realise it's not a dream and that you are getting paid to have so much fun.
By now I had gained a number of years experience within 104 Bn. I had achieved my VM2, but still needed one more qualification for promotion - a Cat C driving licence which would allow me to drive the heavy military vehicles. It took a while to arrange the course, but eventually I was enrolled for a week's training in Grantham and, as always, was dutifully paid by the Army. Having passed the course, I was issued with my LCpl stripe on the next weekend's training.
Over the next few years, 211 deployed with the Marines, Artillery and Infantry both in the UK and Europe. Many new friendships were formed and skills learnt. One skill, in particular, was the TA PTI course that I undertook and passed. This qualified me to take physical training and conduct the Army fitness tests required every year to keep all soldiers physically fit and qualify them for their annual tax free bounty. To compliment this, I also qualified as a mountain leader (MLT) and first aid instructor (BCDT). These qualifications not only allowed me to assume more responsibility within the unit, but also greatly complimented my civilian job as a personal trainer and freelance first aid trainer.
One of my all time life changing aspects with the TA has to be the call-up for Op Telic in 2003. This proved beyond doubt that, under austere and difficult conditions in and around Basra, TA soldiers can rub shoulders - as equals - with their regular counterparts at military, trade and personal levels. It was an unforgettable experience and also earned me my second stripe and promotion to full corporal, a little more responsibility and a little more money!
Of course, not all TA action requires 'green kit'. Adventurous training is designed to test your leadership, physical and mental courage in a 'safe and secure' environment. It is also an opportunity to get paid for having fun. I have dived in Gibraltar, rock climbed in Snowdonia, co-steered in Cornwall, mountain biked in Bodmin, parachuted in Germany, motorbike raced against other NATO teams and windsurfed - to name just a few things! 104 Bn run two weekends and one week's adventure training package a year.
It's funny how things turn full circle. I am now approaching my tenth year and trying to recruit people myself. I am currently looking forward to earning my third stripe, assisting with the adventure training.
I have made numerous new friendships, gained two medals, have the adulation of my nieces and nephews and respect from my family and, of course, received handsome payment in the process.
What is asked of me in return you may ask? Well, 19 days minimum commitment and hard work, with the option to do a lot more if I want. It really is a big return on a small investment.
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