Reserve Refinement
Recruit Training for the Future Army Reserve
With good preparation, both physically and mentally within 1 Year, potentially, you can be a trained soldier in the Army Reserve.
'You have to learn hard and fast' says Trooper George Cope - A (DY) Squadron, Bovington, 'remembering all the details can be challenging, but it is taught clearly and you quickly pick it up.'
Initial (Phase 1) Training is the first building block of any military career. It can help an individual learn more about their own ability and instil self confidence.
Recruits will spend time learning their new skills between squadron level training, mentoring teams, and a Regional Training Centre (RTC). The course is in three parts consisting of Phase 1 (Alpha) and Phase 1 (Bravo). The completion of these two courses culminates - for those who pass - with a prestigious passing-out parade in front of family, friends and unit representatives.
The third part is learning the core skills of a RAC soldeir including driving and radio communications.
PH1 (A) can be attended in two different ways, the first being spread over 6 weekends and the second being a 2 week residential course. It is designed to lay the foundations of military character and teaches everything you need to know to become an effective soldier, from military terminology, drill and how to wear your uniform, to physical fitness, weapon handling, first aid, fieldcraft and map reading.
PH1 (B) puts the meat on the bones of the training received during PH1 (A). This two week residential course allows Regular Army Instructors to train and assess recruits to ensure they are up to the standard required to progress further on their chosen career path.
Once all of these military skills have been refined, the final parts are driving and radio communications - Part 1 Signals and Landrover Familiarisation. Again, two week residential courses, recruits cover the use and care of the BOWMAN radio system in both its manpack and vehicle mounted formats, and learn how to drive and maintain the Landrover. These are seen as a crucial skills for the continued development of each soldier .
Once these courses are completed the product will be a highly competent reservist capable of moving onto specialist training towards their chosen role.
Training for soldiers is a continuous process, consolidating on lessons learnt, developing the individual and also the teams of which they are a part. At this point of their progress there is a broad horison of opportunities available for new Army Reservists.
For budding Yeomen, crew qualifications on the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank will be their new and formidable direction. Captain Ben Matthews, Adjutant of the Royal Wessex Yeomanry affirms 'The challenge is worth the reward. A sense of pride and a sense of purpose.'
'You have to learn hard and fast'