How to Join
The steps involved in joining the Corps of Royal Engineers, from expressing an Interest to join at the Army Careers and Information Office, right through to being welcomed into your first Royal Engineer unit.
- Express interest to Join the Royal Engineers.
- Attend British Army Recruit Battery Test (BARB Test).
- The BARB test assesses your aptitude for a career in the Army.
- You will be told about restrictions on career / trade choice that may be placed on you.
- You will be asked to provide your medical documents, from your local GP.
- Attend two day selection Course held in Pirbright, Surrey.
- Assesses your physical ability, by conducting a timed run and upper body strength tests.
- Assess your aptitude with a basic mathematics test.
- Observed on Command Tasks, to see how you work as part of a team.
- Be given a military medical, to assess your physical condition.
- Attend final interview at the end of the two days - Given a Pass or Fail.
- Attestment into the Army (Oath of Allegiance).
- Given attestment date by Army Careers and Information Office (ACIO).
- When you attest you simple make an oath to serve in the Armed Forces.
- Receive Joining Instructions for Phase One Training.
- Be given a detailed 'kit list' of items you need for Phase One Training.
- Attend Phase One Training in Winchester but is due to move to Bassingbourn. (Basic Soldier Training - 14 Weeks).
- Learn basic soldiering skills
- Build up physical stamina and endurance
- Receive your Phase Two Joining Instructions.
- Receive details of Trade Training.
- Attend Phase Two Training at Gibraltar Barracks in Surrey. (Combat Engineer Training 9 weeks).
- Combat Engineer training.
- Driver Training if required by trade.
- Attend Trade Training at the relevant training organisation. (Brompton Barracks in Kent, for most trades).
- Attend Trade Training Course.
- Join unit on completion of your trade training.
- Welcome to your new Royal Engineers career.
