Royal Signals expects to offer commissions to around 45 young men and women annually.  Whilst a relevant technical degree is likely to be an advantage it is not a pre-requisite.  A general enthusiasm and interest in the Royal Signals role, combined with the intelligence and strength of character to lead our soldiers effectively is much more important. 

Minimum Requirements.

All applicants joining the Army as an officer must be more than 17 years and 9 months old and must start the commissioning course at Sandhurst before their 29th birthday.  Minimum Academic Requirements for civilian applicants are 7 GCSE passes at grade C or higher (35 ALIS points), including English language, mathematics and a science or foreign language.  In addition, an applicant must have a minimum of 180 UCAS points, including 2 A Levels (or equivalent) at Grade E or above. 

First Contact.

Potential Officers should make contact with their Army Careers Advisor (Officer) (ACA(O)) at school or university to express an interest in a career as an officer in the Royal Signals.  The Army Careers Officer in any high street Army Careers Information Office can also be the initial point of contact. Potential Royal Signals officer candidates will be introduced to the Corps by their ACA(O) and subsequently all candidates will be invited to attend a two day familiarisation visit at The Royal School of Signals, in Blandford Forum, Dorset. 

Royal Corps of Signals Familiarisation Visits

Visist are held 15 times per year and are run by the Signal Officer in Chief (Army)'s Recruiting and Liaison Staff (SORLS).  The aim of the visits are to inform POs of the Army commissioning process and to give them an insight into being an officer in Royal Signals.  About 24 young men and women attend each visit and are accommodated in the Officers' Mess.  They receive a number of presentations, view Royal Signals equipment and, most importantly, have an opportunity to meet with Royal Signals soldiers and officers. Potential Officers are interviewed and introduced to some of the assessments that are used at the Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB) to assess candidates for Sandhurst training.  Following the visit Potential Officers will be offered advice on how to proceed towards a commission and may be offered sponsorship by the Royal Signals; if sponsored the Potential Officer is administrated through the AOSB process by the Royal Signals.  Potential Officers may attend a Royal Signals Familiarisation Visit at any time during the application process prior to entry into Sandhurst. 

The Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB)

The AOSB in Westbury, Wiltshire, carries out formal assessments of all Army Potential Officers.  There are two assessments: the AOSB Briefing and the AOSB Main Board.  The AOSB Briefing lasts for two days and assesses the Potential Officer's readiness to attend the AOSB Main Board; the briefing also gives Potential Officers an insight of what to expect at the Main Board.  The AOSB Main Board lasts four days and can only be attended by those who have successfully completed the AOSB Briefing. The AOSB Main Board is the final assessment for Potential Officers and ultimately decides whether the candidate will be given a place on the Commissioning Course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).  Army Scholars and those at the Defence Sixth Form College (DSFC) attend different versions of the AOSB when they are 15-16 years old.

To visit the AOSB website Click Here.

Attachments to Regular Royal Signals Units

Attachments are available for all Potential Officers sponsored by Royal Signals who have passed the AOSB Main Board.  These attachments to regular regiments or squadrons, either in UK or aboard, will be for up to two weeks in duration.  The attached Potential Officer will be treated as an Officer Cadet and will gain an insight into the responsibilities, opportunities and lifestyle of an officer in the Royal Signals. 

Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (AOSB).

All POs who successfully pass the AOSB Main Board are offered a place on the 44-week Commissioning Course at RMAS.  The course provides Officer Cadets with the military and leadership training needed to command a Troop of soldiers.  Potential Royal Signals officers are given further opportunities to visit units and attend Royal Signals social functions throughout their time at Sandhurst.  Formal acceptance into the Royal Signals is made following selection at the Arms Selection Board (ASB), chaired by the Signal Officer in Chief (Army); this Board takes place in the second term of the Commissioning Course.

To visit the RMAS website Click Here.