User:MFIreland/Royal Horse Artillery

MOUNTED GUNNER Royal Horse Artillery

Soldier

A full career in military equitation, firing royal salutes and riding the horses that pull 13-pounder guns – at the gallop The Job Mounted Gunners provide artillery support to the Household Division and ride the horses that pull ceremonial 13-pounder guns. The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery fires royal salutes on state occasions and takes part in major parades. When the Army mobilises, the King’s Troop provides HGV drivers who deliver ammunition to artillery units around the battlefield. The King’s Troop is based at St John’s Wood, London.

The Right Job For Me? Mounted Gunners must be fit, agile, mentally and physically resilient, and love all things equestrian – although experience with horses is not essential. Applicants need to be able to work as part of a team, be willing to take up challenges and relish the chance to compete and travel.

What Skills Will I Learn? In-depth knowledge of horse management as well as maintenance of the guns and harnesses.Specialisation as a Saddler, Farrier, Tailor or Riding Instructor.Learning all aspects of an equestrian sport, including showjumping, eventing, racing, military skill-at-arms and many more.Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driving skills for delivering ammunition to artillery units around the battlefield.

What Training Will I Do? Initial Training: Your military training will start at Army Training Centre (ATC) Pirbright. Gunners must be able to deploy as infantry as well as artillery, so during your 14-week basic training course you will learn military skills such as foot drill, how to handle and fire a weapon, how to live and work in the open and how to tackle an assault course. Your stamina and fitness will develop, and you will toughen up mentally as well as physically. Visits to regiments will help you decide which one you want to join, and before initial training comes to an end – with a Passing Out parade in front of an invited audience of parents, relatives and friends – you will know which one you will be joining. Further Training: On completion of Phase 1 training, you will move to Larkhill on Salisbury Plain and start Phase 2 training – a 12-week course that turns you from a basic soldier into a Gunner ready to join your regiment. All Artillery soldiers are taught to drive a Landrover and use BOWMAN secure communications systems. You will also receive Infantry close-combat training and be introduced to the major equipment employed by the Royal Artillery. There are great sporting opportunities on offer, and the chance to undertake adventurous training in Wales. We invest time in your education and give everyone the opportunity to start an appropriate trade-related apprenticeship, with a logistics or telecommunications base, to be completed when you join your unit. When you arrive at the King's Troop you will learn to look after, ride and compete on the horses that pull the guns. Mounted Gunner training includes: Riding in a gun-team, Taking part in the Musical Drive – at the gallop – as well as ceremonial parades and royal salutes in London, Windsor and abroad. Equestrian skills: Learning to ride in the military style as well as the basics of stable management, horse care, saddlery and farriery.

What Qualifications Could I Get? There are many qualifications available to Mounted Gunners, including: HGV driving licence; NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3 in Horse Care and Management; British Horse Society Instructor qualifications; Computer Literacy and Information Technology stage 1 (CLAIT); Certificate in Team Leading; ILM Diploma in Management; NVQs in Learning and Development; and Apprenticeships as a Farrier, Saddler or Tailor.

Future Prospects Your prospects for promotion will depend on your performance, but you could expect to be promoted to Lance Bombardier in about three years, Bombardier in three to five years, and Sergeant in six to eight years. You may be selected to attend the six-month Riding Instructor’s course held at the Defence Animal Centre. Outside the Army, your experience with horses and leadership skills will hold you in excellent regard for employment in animal management.

Artillery Soldier

 * GUNNER AS90 using the 155mm Tracked Armoured Field Howitzer (AS90). Crew of 8, AS90 is a fully automated howitzer which fires a 96lb shell out to 24.7 km. The gun weighs 45 tonnes, has a top speed of 55mph and comes into action in 1 min. Units: 1 RHA, 3 RHA, 4 Regt RA, 19 Regt RA and 26 Regt RA.
 * GUNNER Light Gun using the 105mm Light Gun. The versatile Light Gun is delivered by helicopter, landing craft, parachuted or towed on to the battlefield. A crew of 6 serve the GPS fitted system which has a range of 17.2 km. Each HE shell weighs 35 lbs. In service with 7 Para RHA, 29 Cdo Regt RA, 40 Regt RA and the TA - 100 Regt RA (V) and 103 Regt RA (V).


 * GUNNER MLRS using the Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Small tight knit crew of 3 operate the fully computerised MLRS which fires GPS guided rockets out to 72 kms. What is more, it is accurate to within 2m. Used by 39 Regt RA and 101 Regt RA (V).


 * GUNNER Rapier using the Rapier Medium Range Air Defence System. The Rapier guided Air Defence system can engage two targets simultaneously. The crew of 8 operate four main components: the launcher, two radars and a control unit. The missiles fly at twice the speed of sound, have a Maximum range of 8000m and ceiling of 5000m. Units: 16 Regt RA and 106 Regt RA (V).


 * GUNNER HVM using the High Velocity Missile System Man portable or tracked HVM close air defence systems which are deployed alongside the Infantry and tanks. With a speed of Mach 3, the laser riding missile has a range of 5.5km and ceiling of 1000m. Used by 12 Regt RA and 106 Regt RA (V).


 * ARTILLERY TARGETING


 * GUNNER Observation Post as part of a Fire Support Team. Part of a tight knit six man team, working on the front line embedded in an infantry or armoured manoeuvre unit. Trained to plan and coordinate fire from artillery, naval guns and mortars as well as control attack helicopters and fast jets. Kit includes image intensifiers, thermal sights, MSTAR man portable radar and UHF/VHF/HF radios. There are FSTs in all AS90 and Lt Gun Regts (inc Para and Cdo).


 * GUNNER Special Observer inserted behind enemy lines, by foot, boat, helicopter or vehicle. Special Observers operate in small 6 man teams, to provide intelligence and cue fires from artillery, aircraft or attack helicopters using encrypted communications. 4/73 Bty RA (5 Regt RA) and HAC is the TA equivalent.


 * GUNNER Radar Operator Mamba, Cobra and LCMR are mobile weapon locating radar which detects rockets and mortar/artillery rounds in flight. Mounted on a BV206 over snow vehicle, a Foden truck or stand alone; it can identify eight targets simultaneously out to a range of 25 miles. In service with 5 Regt RA and 101 Regt RA (V).


 * GUNNER Sound Ranger working as part of a small team using state of the art acoustic and computer equipment to locate the enemy, missiles, mortars and guns. Used by 5 Regt RA and 101 Regt RA (V).


 * GUNNER TUAS (Tactical Unmanned Air Systems) Operator the team launches, controls and recovers pilot-less air vehicles. The Hermes 450 (soon to be replaced Watchkeeper) collects real time battlefield intelligence, beaming back thermal and TV imagery while in flight, using a data link to a Ground Control Station. Used by 32 Regt RA, 47 Regt RA and 104 Regt RA (V) is the TA equivalent.


 * GUNNER Artillery Logistics Artillery Logisticians store, account for and re-supply Artillery units in battle with fuel, ammunition, food and water. Trained to drive DROPs HGVs, there is the chance to gain motorcycle and tracked licences as well as specialist logistics qualifications. Every Artillery Regiment must have its own supply experts, giving individuals a wide choice of postings.


 * INTELLIGENCE, IT & COMMS

REMEMBER - No Comms - No Bombs!
 * GUNNER Artillery Command Systems (ACS) Operate and maintain the latest high tech computer and radio equipment to ensure that voice and data messages are passed across the battlefield. ACS is used in every Royal Artillery Regiment.


 * MUSIC & CEREMONIAL


 * MOUNTED GUNNER King's Troop RHA Learn to ride and drive in a Gun Team of 6 galloping horses with the King's Troop RHA and fire Royal Salutes in Hyde Park. Specialist training as a farrier, saddler or tailor is available. Mounted Gunner applicants MUST attend and pass the Potential Recruits Course held at King's Troop. Learn to ride and drive in a Gun Team of 6 galloping horses with Kings Troop RHA and fire Royal Salutes in Hyde Park. Specialist training as a farrier, saddler or tailor is available. Mounted Gunner applicants MUST attend and pass the Potential Recruits Course held at King's Troop. POC is the Recruiting Sergeant on 0207 414 4630 or 0797 3343551.


 * INFANTRY (Secondary Role) Combat Soldier every Gunner is trained in basic close combat skills at Phase 2 training to ensure our ability to be deployed and operate in our primary role or as infantry anywhere in the world.


 * SPECIALIST ROLES
 * Parachute & Commando Units


 * 7 Para RHA The Parachute Gunners (105mm Light Gun) are based in Colchester and support 16 Air Assault Brigade. Volunteers wear the maroon beret and are required to complete P-Company and the Parachute Course, at RAF Brize Norton, before earning Para pay. Available trades: Light Gun, Arty Comd Systems, Fire Support Team and Logistics.


 * 29 Cdo Regt RA The Commando Gunners (105mm Light Gun and Naval Gunfire Support) are part of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines - the UK's Amphibious and Arctic & Mountain Warfare experts. On completion of the All Arms Commando Course, you will earn your green beret and serve in Plymouth, Arbroath or Poole (the Bde Recce Force). Available trades: Light Gun, Arty Comd Systems, Fire Support Team and Logistics.


 * Gunner Special OP Volunteers for 4/73 Bty RA (5 Regt RA) will need to pass a 20 week Special Observer Patrols Course following Phase 2 Training. Further information can be found DIN: 2006 DIN002-211, a useful reference document for potential direct entry recruits.


 * GUNNER HVM (Para) 21 Bty RA (47 Regt RA) provide Close Air Defence for 16 AA Bde, again soldiers wear the maroon beret and must pass P-Company and the Static Line Parachute Cse, at RAF Brize Norton, before earning Para pay. The sub unit is based at Thorney Island.

All specialist volunteers choose a shadow posting to another unit in case of failure.

Support to Current Operations, Tertiary Roles and New Equipment Conversions

1. All Close Support Artillery Regiments deploy to Afghanistan with Light Gun. Some convert to Light Gun for a 6 month tour on Operation HERRICK and then revert back to their primary role; Applicable to Gunner AS90 applicants only.

2. 16 Regt RA (Rapier) deploys a battery to the Falkland Islands in the primary role. Other operational commitments are conducted (in the tertiary role) using - a new and highly sensitive sense and warn system which detects rockets and projectiles in flight. Applicable to Gunner Rapier applicants only.

Giraffe Radar

3. 47 Regt RA are currently equipped with Desert Hawk 3 (Mini Unmanned Air Systems) and use this system on operations.

MUAS Operator

4. 39 Regt RA have recently converted from MLRS to Guided MLRS for use on operations. Applicable to Gunner MLRS applicants only.

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)