Everything You Wanted to Know About Joining the Sappers....Part 2

[Cheopp]

Hi,

I'm in the process of joining the Reserves but I'm not certain between REME or RE. There's a REME unit about 20 minutes away and an RE one about 25 minutes away so both are a feasible option: I know quite a bit about the REME reserve, and until recently I was quite set on them, but I've since found out the RE are an option too (my company recently signed the covenant thing and said anyone joining the REME would get extra time off for the 2 week camp, but I've since found out that when they say "REME" they actually meant "any Reserves of any of the Forces"...).

I'm hoping to go down the officer route as I did the OTC at uni, could anyone give me any insight into how the RE Reserves are getting on? From reading the REME forum here it sounds like the REME lot are having a bit of a rough time of it. I'm looking into arranging a visit but it probably won't be for a few weeks yet as they parade on a bit of an awkward night for me in the short term.

 

[chimera]

RE Army Reserve units are often closer in role to their Regular counterparts than REME, as the dual combat engineer/artisan trade nature of the Sapper soldier is easier to train/manage than more specialised REME technical trades. Don't know which Sapper unit/sub unit is closest to you, but a number of the squadrons sit in "hybrid" units, i.e. Regular regiments that have one or more reserve sub units in them. This gives more opportunity to train with (and deploy with) the Regular unit, if that floats your boat.

If you are considering a commission, there will be less of a difference day to day, since as junior officer you will be more focused on generating training for others.

 

[5502Bhoy]

I’ve got my transfer papers in for a move to the RE from infantry, I’ve been Infantry for 6 years and am moving across as a JNCO. Any gen on what it’s like for people coming across (I.e. going back to phase 2)

 

[Samana123]

Sorry to revive an old thread but does playing sports hinder or better your chances of promotion...or make no difference?
I enjoy playing rugby....But I’m not all that good...are your opportunities to play dictated by the standard you are? Or are there opportunities to play regardless of ability (within reason)?

 

[chimera]

Sorry to revive an old thread but does playing sports hinder or better your chances of promotion...or make no difference?
I enjoy playing rugby....But I’m not all that good...are your opportunities to play dictated by the standard you are? Or are there opportunities to play regardless of ability (within reason)?

You will get a lot of opportunity to play at any level. In reality, unless you are an "elite" player it will not greatly affect your chances of promotion,, although it does help you get "noticed". The latter can sometimes be a double edged weapon..!! Good luck!

 

[harry837484]

Hi guy I’m thinking about joining the royal engineers as a armoured engineer or a driver
Please could any of you give me info about it like what the roles entail and what they do on a day to day basis and as there isn’t a lot on the website about it thanks.

 

[Samana123]

Hi guy I’m thinking about joining the royal engineers as a armoured engineer or a driver
Please could any of you give me info about it like what the roles entail and what they do on a day to day basis and as there isn’t a lot on the website about it thanks.

If you watch the video on the job page for royal engineer driver.... The nice, friendly, helpful Lance corporal literally says "my day to day jobs are....". He then proceeds to list his day to day jobs.

 

[harry837484]

If you watch the video on the job page for royal engineer driver.... The nice, friendly, helpful Lance corporal literally says "my day to day jobs are....". He then proceeds to list his day to day jobs.

Yea but what will they do day to day on an operation or tour , it says they will also train you as a combat engineer what does this mean.

 

[Ian525]

Yea but what will they do day to day on an operation or tour , it says they will also train you as a combat engineer what does this mean.

Combat Engineer means engineering in combat situations - digging holes, filling holes, building bridges, blowing up bridges, shoring up buildings, pulling down buildings, laying mines, lifting mines, putting down roads, blowing up roads. You do what is required and often, rank and final trade have no bearing in a situation. You would wear the RE badge and if you research that you'll have an understanding.

 

[harry837484]

Combat Engineer means engineering in combat situations - digging holes, filling holes, building bridges, blowing up bridges, shoring up buildings, pulling down buildings, laying mines, lifting mines, putting down roads, blowing up roads. You do what is required and often, rank and final trade have no bearing in a situation. You would wear the RE badge and if you research that you'll have an understanding.

Thanks this helped a lot

 

[Samana123]

If I join a regiment such as 42 (geographic) engineer regiment...and I'm doing a job role such as Geo Tech which seems to be more academic than fitness related to me... Is PT still going to be a big part of army life for me? Or are there just the odd couple of token sessions thrown in during the working week?
Please forgive my ignorance and I mean no disrespect by this question.

Also, I'm not picking a job role based on who does the least PT.

 

[chimera]

If I join a regiment such as 42 (geographic) engineer regiment...and I'm doing a job role such as Geo Tech which seems to be more academic than fitness related to me... Is PT still going to be a big part of army life for me? Or are there just the odd couple of token sessions thrown in during the working week?
Please forgive my ignorance and I mean no disrespect by this question.

Also, I'm not picking a job role based on who does the least PT.

PT will always be a big part of Army life, whether it is organised troop stuff, sport or personal training. That is why we join.

But you will do somewhat less intensive organised PT in 42 Geo than a mainstream field unit.

 

[chimera]

More updates and information:

Corps of Royal Engineers

The official channel for videos related to the British Army's Corps of Royal Engineers. Known as Sappers, we are unique, motivated and intelligent. We are mu...

www.youtube.com

 

[wedge head]

hi, no idea if this is the right place to ask but hey ho here we go

have phase 1 coming up and have been put into combat specialist/support specialist (both the same I think) when I was originally going tradesman as a bricky but it doesn't bother me too much signaller also sounds really cool to me. one thing that does confuse me though is that I could potentially end up in an HQ squadron (as this specific forum states) and I'm just wondering how that is any different to a field squadron? I'm not gonna be stuck in an office somewhere, am I? I hope u understand what I mean, I am joining to be a soldier at the end of the day and I don't want to be stuck at a desk all day.

thank you

 

[chimera]

hi, no idea if this is the right place to ask but hey ho here we go

have phase 1 coming up and have been put into combat specialist/support specialist (both the same I think) when I was originally going tradesman as a bricky but it doesn't bother me too much signaller also sounds really cool to me. one thing that does confuse me though is that I could potentially end up in an HQ squadron (as this specific forum states) and I'm just wondering how that is any different to a field squadron? I'm not gonna be stuck in an office somewhere, am I? I hope u understand what I mean, I am joining to be a soldier at the end of the day and I don't want to be stuck at a desk all day.

thank you

Have a read back through the original post, and also Part 1. As a Sapper going to your first unit you will not be sitting behind a desk. Expect a lot of time away on exercises, deployments and courses.