REME is a huge and complex Corps, which prides itself on its enthusiastic team spirit and professionalism.

The size of the REME detachment you will work in is dependent on the scale of the parent unit it's supporting. Similarly, the type of REME tradesmen attached to it will vary according to what equipment the supported unit is using.

For example, a unit such as an infantry battalion has a lot of kit to maintain, so it will have its own REME Light Aid Detachment (LAD) of anything between 25 and 90 soldiers and officers commanded by a REME captain. LADs live and work side by side with their parent regiment, which could be Armoured, Armoured Reconnaissance, Armoured Infantry, Engineers, Artillery, Signals, Logistics, Commando and Parachute.

REME Trades There are eight different trades in REME, which are organised into three groups Technician Trades: Avionics Technician, Aircraft Technician and Electronic Technician. Electromechanical Trades: Vehicle Mechanic, Metalsmith, Recovery Mechanic and Armourer. Support Trade: Technical Support Specialist.

Anything they can not deal with is then taken to a supporting REME Close Support Battalion. The battalion is the biggest REME mobile unit and this supports a brigade. Each battalion is made up of several hundred REME officers and soldiers from all disciplines. These are organised into 2 x Armoured Companies, and 1 x Field Company.

An Armoured Company provides forward support at the front line and their repair tasks will typically take less than 8 hours to carry out. The Field Company provides more in-depth support with repairs taking less than 12 hours.

Some Artillery and Maritime regiments will have a REME workshop.  This will be manned by up to 100 REME tradesmen.  Where a unit requires only a small number of REME tradesmen, it is organised into a section commanded by a REME Warrant Officer or SNCO.

ENTRY ROUTES
There are two routes into joining REME: you can either take the Standard Entry Soldier path and join between 17 and 30 years, or join as a Junior Entry Solider between the ages of 16 and 17 years and one month. The later enables you to join the Army at 16, giving you a head start in your military career.

Standard Entry Soldier Entry Qualifications: Good GCSE grades or equivalent in maths, science and English language. Specific entry requirements for each trade can be obtained from your local Army Careers Office. You must also sit the Army selection test and be aged between 16 and 30 when you apply.

Standard Entry Soldier
Like all soldiers, you will complete 14 weeks basic training to learn the fundamental soldiering skills, and for REME soldiers this is undertaken at Army Training Regiment (ATR) at Pirbright in Surrey.
This will teach you basic soldiering skills such as drill, weapons handling, fieldcraft, first aid and map reading. You will also work on physical fitness and personal development.
Following this, having selected the trade you wish to persue, you will go to one or REME's engineering schools where you will become a REME craftsman and learn your trade.
Training can last up to two years depending upon your specialist area and following this you will be posted in the field.

Junior Entry Soldier Entry qualifications: With GCSE Grade C (or above) in Maths English and Science you will complete a Common Foundation module at AFC. If you have GCSE Grade D in these subjects (and vacancies are available) you may still complete this module, otherwise you will undergo Common Foundation on arrival at Phase 2 training.  You will have had to sit the Army selection test and be aged between 16 and 17 years and 1 month starting in January or September.

Junior Entry Soldier
Army Foundation College
You will attend a 42-week course at the Army Foundation College (AFC) in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. This will include a period of basic military training where you will learn skills such as weapons training, drill and fieldcraft. You will also receive excellent leadership and initiative training and have the opportunity to go on adventurous training activities.

As part of the 'Technical Stream', you will complete a Common Foundation module of training which, as well as being a part of the Foundation Modern Apprenticeship (FMA) in Engineering (completed at Phase 2) will also be in preparation for your specialist trade training. On completion of your course at AFC you will move on to trade training (Phase 2 training) at one of the REME's specialist schools and become a REME Craftsman. The duration of this training course depends on what trade you choose. At the end of trade training you will be posted to your first unit in the field Army.

Army Development Course (ADC)
Alternatively, you will attend the Army Development Course (ADC) at the Army Training Regiment (ATR) at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire.
The course lasts for 17 weeks, including a week of leave halfway through. You will learn a range of core military skills as well as having the opportunity to enjoy a great deal of sport and adventurous training. Entry Qualifications Good GCSE grades (or equivalent) in maths, science and English language are required. You will also have to sit the Army selection test. Specific entry requirements can be obtained from your local Army Careers Office.

Where you learn your trade
Depending on what trade you choose to specialise in, you will do your training at one of two REME engineering schools. The School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (SEME) in Bordon, Hampshire, teaches the electromechanical and support trades and the School of Electronic and Aeronautical Engineering (SEAE) in Arborfield, Berkshire, caters for the various technician trades.

As well as your initial trade training, you will attend courses at these schools throughout your career to update knowledge and skills and gain further qualifications such as City and Gilds and BTECs. These are all transferable to civvy street and highly sought after by employers.

Other opportunities

Artificer
Exceptional tradesmen within REME may be given the opportunity to become an Artificer, where they will receive advanced training in their trade and be able to pick up a range of further qualifications such as the BTEC Higher Diploma, HNC, HND or BSc degree.

Artificers are then able to progress even further up the ranks with successful completion of the intensive Artificer course leading to Staff Sergeant and the opportunity to then progress onto Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO1). Being an artificer can also lead to an officer's commission and leadership training at RMA Sandhurst, after which it is possible to become a Chartered Engineer.

Special Forces
As a REME soldier you will serve alongside combat units but can also volunteer for the Special Forces. If selected, you could train to be a Parachutist or Commando or serve in the Special Reconnaissance Regiment, Special Air Service or Special Boat Service. This is a hugely competitive and challenging option and only available to those who demonstrate exceptional aptitude and skill. But you will be given every opportunity to push yourself as hard as possible to achieve it.