Royal Signals Soldier Profiles

CORPORAL NICKY DAWSON - SPECIAL OPERATOR

My current job as a Special Operator is with a mobile unit. Our equipment and vehicles have to be ready for rapid reaction. I really enjoy the immediacy of going out into the field and doing what I trained for. I've been recommended as a potential officer, but I want to stay in the ranks -1 like being a soldier.

Basic training is hard. The biggest adjustment for me was being away from home. Even so, it was a wonderful experience and particularly satisfying to cut two minutes off my basic fitness test time.

During trade training I learnt all types of signals in order to intercept communications. I found the course really tough but my hard work paid off-1 came top at the end. I've progressed rapidly through my trade to Class 1.1 even have 30 points, which is a third towards a degree - the Army will subsidise me if I decide to do one.

I've been selected to go to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as a military instructor when I become a Sergeant. That will give me something to aim towards over the next couple of years.

LANCE CORPORAL MARC JOHNSON - AREA SYSTEMS OPERATOR

Trade training is intensive - it can feel like you do two weeks of learning in one day. But it's worth it once you get out in the field and it all falls into place.

I found going away on exercises quite daunting at first. But I've gained confidence and I like taking on more responsibility now. We are deployed in our vehicles in a chain on hilltops, monitoring events and disseminating information through secure channels. We have to keep our equipment and vehicles up to scratch.

Adventurous training offers great opportunities. I went to South Africa with 16 others. We did so much, including rock climbing in the Drakensberg Mountains and surfing.

There are so many things going on - so many courses and opportunities. All our courses are now recognised in civvy street. I'm happy where I am, but it's a comfort to know there's a demand for our skills. I'm qualified as a Military Police Auxiliary and have my Regimental Medical Assistant badge from the Army Medical Corps. I'm also an Assistant Physical Training Instructor. More than that, the Royal Signals stick together like a family.

SERGEANT PAUL ASKEW - SYSTEM ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

Sergeant Paul Askew joined the Army having completed a BTEC National Diploma in Electronic Engineering. He has had a packed career working with various specialist units around the globe.

Joining the Royal Signals is the best move I ever made the stability; the variety and job satisfaction have been excellent.

After a posting as a Regimental technician in Germany, I was enough to be seconded to the US Air Force. It was an extremely fulfilling experience. The Americans did not have the data communications capacity that they needed and it was our job to patch the British SHF radio through to the American satellite communications installations. Our team flew to the States and trained in a US technical institute. Back home we built the cables, testing and adapting until we had a large-scale, multinational SATCOM solution. It was tested in Bosnia with full crew, and as far as I know, it's still operating today.

My Class 1 training at Blandford was the same course that you'd follow on civvy street. I came away as a Sergeant and was lucky enough to be posted to an independent unit where I could put my high level skills to work in a professional and challenging environment.

I'm currently preparing for my Foreman of Signals course that will lead to a degree and more responsibility. You have the opportunity here to plan a career. Of course, you have to work hard to get where you want.