Royal Engineers - Officer Overview
 
A Brief history

The story of the Corps of Royal Engineers covers over nine hundred years and cannot be rivalled by any other Arm or Service. The Corps can claim direct descent from the military engineers brought to England by William the Conqueror and an unbroken service to the Crown since then.

The Corps has no battle honours, its motto “Ubique”, awarded by King William IV in 1832, signifying that it has taken part in every battle fought by the British Army in all parts of the world. As well as gallantry in war, Royal Engineers’ skills are in great demand in peace, where the Sapper, as they are known, have built the infrastructure of civilisation, wherever British interests have led.
Kitchener  

Royal Engineers Promotional Video

This short (three minute) promotional film gives a flavour of the scale and diversity of the work of the Royal Engineers and the skills and equipment they bring to bear. From supporting an Armoured Brigade in Poland to carrying out humanitarian relief operations in Rwanda, the skills of the Sappers are always in demand.

More information on the history of the Corps can be found in our own award-winning Museum.
Beret  

The Role of a RE Officer

A Career as a Royal Engineers officer is one of the most unique careers you can have. You act as both a leader and as a manager. You are responsible for the welfare of your Sappers. It is down to you to ensure that you utilise their unique talents and bring out the best in them in any given situation. You need to hold your team together when the pressure is on. This is applies equally to life either in Barracks, on a construction site in a challenging environment and ultimately perhaps, in a war setting. The respect, the variety and the constant challenge means there is nothing comparable in the civilian world.

What's In It For Me?
Becoming an RE officer is no easy feat. Within 18 months of commencing training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and after completing the RE Troop Commanders Course you will find yourself in command of up to 45 Sappers.

You will have been trained with the necessary leadership and combat engineer skills to allow you to take the lead in any situation. You will find yourself making critical decisions on:

  
  • The career management of your soldiers, including career courses, military and adventure training, as well as the welfare of them and their families.
  • Leading your soldiers in combat and construction engineer projects as well as adventurous and possible survival situations.
  • Taking responsibility for a large amount of vehicles, tools and weapons, including their serviceability and maintenance.
There is one thing guaranteed and that is there is no such thing as a typical week or even day as a Royal Engineer Officer. You will be playing a vital role as a member of the Corps in enabling the army to MOVE, FIGHT and SURVIVE.

What's Involved?

The Corps is unique in that is is so diverse and varied. Every 18 months to 2 years you will change jobs, normally to one of your choosing. This system is known as trickle posting and it means that as an individual you are constantly kept on your toes and are always acquiring new and developing existing skills. We offer many specialist roles, ranging from Diving to Bomb Disposal, from commando engineers to geographic engineers. For further information on the full range of specialisations available in the Corps as an officer click HERE.

 
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