MAJ/FA - Senior Instructor STA
Royal School of Artillery
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Description of duty position and work environment
Senior Instructor Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Section assigned to the Targeting Branch of the Royal School of Artillery (RSA). Responsible for the supervision and management of two officers as Instructors of Gunnery and five Sergeants Majors Instructors of Gunnery in the delivery of STA training. Establishes liaison with Royal Artillery STA Regiments to ensure training delivered meets their requirments. Additional duties include delivery of instruction to British and Allied students. Instructional duties focus on Tactical Targeting, Fire Support, employment of artillery, counterfire, the Military Decision Making Process, US-UK interoperabilility and employment of Joint Fires. Provides instruction to the Battery Commander's Course, All Arms Tactical Targeting Course, Royal Artillery Captains Course, Young Officer Course, Gunnery Career Course, and Gunnery Instructor Course. Participates in exercises and battle field tours focused on leadership and the planning, coordination, and synchronization of fires into operations at the UK Battlegroup through Division level. Assists in the review and revision of STA, tactical targeting, and artillery doctrine. Represents the United States at official and semi-official functions in the UK.
RSA URL: http://www.atra.mod.uk/rsa/
Physical Training
Individual PT remains an important part of daily activities utilizing quality gym and fitness facilities available. The RSA conducts bi-monthly organized PT. The basic personal fitness assessment (BPFA) is required bi-annual for assigned soldiers consisting of push-ups, situps and an approximate 2 mile run, similar to the US Army APFT.
Larkhill Garrison gym, fitness equipment, and numerous sports fields are first rate facilities available to soldiers and family members. Intramural sports activities are highly encouraged and supported by the chain of command. Organized sporting activities for all seasons are available. Intramural softball for the garrison is conducted in the spring, organized by the US Exchange Officer.
Uniforms
 Battle dress uniform (BDU) is the duty uniform. All uniforms are required including: Class A’s, B’s, Dress and Mess Blues (Dress Blues are not commonly worn). The US Army, Field Artillery Center shoulder patch is worn. Additionally, for specified social events, business suit or tuxedo are required.
Housing
The Quarters
The British Family Housing Office has dedicated a set of quarters in the Garrison Officer family section for the American Exchange Officer. The quarters consist of four bedrooms (2 large and 2 small), living room, dining room, 1.5 baths, kitchen, and a detached garage. The front and back yard are completely fenced, with a large back yard. The house is one-half of a duplex. It is recommended to bring a lawnmower with household goods. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires rent to be paid on the quarters and BAH is authorised.
Click on the photos for a larger image:
 Living Room |
 Master Bedroom |
COLA and OHA rates
Cost of living allowance (COLA) and overseas housing allowance (OHA) rates are based on the Salisbury, England area.
Power
The quarters has 220 electrical power available. Transformers are required for US appliances. Multi-system electronics (TV, DVD, stereo, hair dryer) are recommended and are available for purchase from US BX/NEX located in the UK. There is an automatic gas central boiler that provides heating and hot water for the quarters. The hot water tank has an electrical backup. Electricity is billed through the MOD and averages approximately £80 per quarter. Water and heat are provided by private companies and currently average £50 per month.
Major US appliances are provided by RAF Croughton consisting of a refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, dishwasher, and microwave.
Telephone and Internet
Telephone Services can be obtained from British Telephone (BT), NTL, or other British communication companies. Currently, we use NTL with an average monthly cost of £35, which accounts for a number of calls to the US. Several options for a cellular (mobile) phones are available to include “pay for time” or “monthly fixed time” for purchase on the local economy.
BT and NTL both provide internet services. We use NTL broadband at a monthly cost of £35 which meets all of our internet needs. A variety of internet packages are available from the local internet service providers.
Cable and Satelite
Both cable (NTL) and satellite (Sky) television services are available for an approximate cost of £50.00 monthly for average entertainment package. Again, numerous packages are available from cable and satellite providers. Additionally, the UK government requires a yearly tax paid on your TV, approx £125.
Medical and Dental Care
Military personnel are entitled to free treatment at British Army facilities. The National Health Service (NHS) and TRICARE remote both are available providing care for dependants. Dental care for you and your family is available at the Navy Clinic at West Ruislip until June of 2006. Medical and dental services are also available at RAF Mildenhall/Lakenheath. My dependants use the NHS clinic in Amesbury for routine medical care. The Garrison Medical Center does handle limited dependent care from 0800-1500 hours Monday to Friday. For emergencies during off-hours treatment is available at Tidworth Garrison (10 miles away) or the emergency room at Salisbury Hospital. It is recommended to personally maintain all family and personal medical records.
Post Office, Commisary and PX Facilities
APO
Provided by RAF Fairford. The APO system is more economical to use but slower than international mail. The normal delivery time for a letter is 5 to 10 days, packages usually a few days more. You must travel to and from RAF Fairford to pick up and mail APO letters or parcels. We have coordinated with three other American families and the APO, to consolidate mail pick-ups.
International Mail
International (Royal Mail) mail can be delivered to the house street address when speed is important. The normal delivery time is 4 to 5 days and can be as quick as overnight.
RAF Fairford (US Air Force Base)
About 40 miles distance (approximately 1 to 1 and ½ hour travel time), it is the closest US facility that we typically use. All facilities are quite adequate consisting of: commissary, small Base Exchange (BX)/Class VI, gas station, bank, and US Post Office. In the vicinity of London (about 75 miles from Larkhill) is West Ruislip (Navy Base) which operates a BX/Commissary, special order division, package store, service station, barber shop, laundry, and snack bar. West Ruislip is scheduled to close in August of 2006. You must have your ration card and ID with you to use all US facilities.
RAF Mildenhall/Lakenheath
These two Air Force Bases are about 150 miles away, the largest US facilities in the UK, "Little America". There is a large BX/Commissary on RAF Lakenheath as well as most other facilities you expect on a large US base in the States. RAF Mildenhall maintains a Four Seasons store, a large food court and shoppette.
Religious Services
The Garrison Church (Church of England) holds Sunday Services plus the sponsorship of Bible Studies and other religious activities. Additionally, the Garrison maintains an active Catholic Church with all related activities. Other churches can be found in the numerous local villages and towns meeting any religious needs.
Banking
Your purchases on the British economy and the payment of rent, utilities, Officer Mess, bills, etc. are done in British Pounds Sterling (BPS). American Commercial Banks are available at all US facilities offering both BPS and dollar accounts on which checks may be drawn. We opened a BPS account at the US Community Bank at the RAF Fairford branch for the convenience establishing a monthly allotment for bills as necessary. The majority of our bills are paid by direct debit from the Community Bank. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available throughout the UK to draw BPS from our US bank account. We use our debit card from our US checking account to draw BPS for incidental, shopping and travel expenses due to the advantage on the dollar/BPS exchange rate with debit/credit cards vs. what banks offer. There are many other banking options available on the local economy concerning BPS accounts.
Schooling
Elementary Students (ages 4 to 11) may attend British Council Schools (Public) or private schools based on availability. Several elementary schools are available in the local area. We have had a very positive experience at the All Saints School of Netheravon, four miles from our quarters. Our children are receiving a quality education with a variety of extra-curricular activities. Many of the British Officers in the area also use Netheravon School. For Middle and High School needs there are British Council Schools or Private tuition based schools available in the area. The Department of Defence can provide help with tuition assistance. Also available for US Students (Grades 9-12) is the US High School at RAF High Wycombe which is recommended due to earning of credits toward graduation and preparation for entry to US universities. This High School is the only boarding school in the DODDS system and is located 90 miles from Larkhill. The majority of your British co-workers send their children to boarding school after age 11.
The Department of Defence Dependent School – Europe (DoDDS-E) system is helpful in supporting the education of dependent Elementary and High School aged students of all forces assigned in the UK. While assigned at Larkhill, students fall under the the Non-DoDDS-E system due to non availability of DoDDS schools.
Further information is available at www.eu.dodea.edu\nondod.htm
Numerous web-based higher level education opportunities are available along with education opportunities within the RSA for Dependents and Active Duty assigned soldiers.
POV
Your POV will be shipped the to Vehicle Processing Center at West Ruislip US Naval Base, (NW London) upon completion of customs requirements. In August of 2006, West Ruislip’s base closure, it is anticipated that POV shipments will fall under US Air Force POV movements to and from the UK. Upon arrival you will be issued a temporary registration from the Base and must apply for a permanent UK registration following modification of your vehicle to UK standards and completion of a Ministry of Transport (MOT) Test. With this registration, passes for US installations in the UK are available.
Ministry of Transport Test Certificate (MOT)
This test must be passed before a vehicle can be operated in the UK. Numerous garages perform the test and charge approximately £40 for the procedure.
The law requires front and rear fog lights. There must be one rear fog light on the right rear of the car and a switch inside the car, on or under the dashboard that is illuminated when turned on. The front fog lights must be linked to your headlight switch so that they come on and stay on when you turn on your parking or headlights.
The other requirement is that the rear turn indicators must be yellow. Most international make of cars have yellow turn indicators. The BX garage can help you out with all of this and it is highly recommend you contact the RAF West Ruislip Garage to set up an appointment for the modifications. Modification of our 1998 Plymouth mini-van cost approximately $280 at the RAF West Ruislip garage.
Additional Information
US vehicle headlights are oriented to the left while on low beam. For a minimal cost, headlight altering stickers can be purchased for a minimal cost to alleviate headlights shining in the eyes of oncoming cars due to the right hand lane drive in the UK. Unleaded and diesel fuels are available at designated filling stations throughout the UK. Although expensive, gas purchases are subsidised for US assigned personnel similar to other foreign assignments through the BX/PX system.
Drivers License
There is no additional requirement for drivers licensing testing while assigned in the UK. It is recommended to take an international driving sign course to familiarize yourself with the road signs you will see. Right hand driving takes time to achieve full confidence, but it is well worth the effort providing you the ability to drive in the UK.
Road Tax
The British Government charges an annual road tax of £150 ($255) per year per vehicle. All NATO forces are exempt from paying the road tax for the first year in country. During the second year you must pay the tax.
Miscellaneous
UK Visas
All dependents are required to obtain visas to reside in the UK. See: http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/
Pets
The requirement to bring your pet to the UK involves an extremely stringent six month process which must be followed prior to the pets admittance to avoid a six month quarantine upon arrival. See: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
The assignment offers unlimited professional and personal growth. The opportunities are limitless for travel and experiencing a uniquely wonderful culture and all it has to offer while serving in the Army. Our interaction (UK or US soldiers, dependents and/or civilians) on or off duty requesting information/assistance further proves this experience truly exceptional.
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