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Air Defence Gunner

Royal Navy
locationChatham, UK
PublishedPublished: Published yesterday
Full Time
Role details

Everything you need to know about the role, requirements and what you'll gain.

Entry Requirements

Age

You can join between the ages of 16 - 36. At the time of your application you will need to be between 15 years & 7 months old and 35 years & 6 months old.

You can start your training as a Junior Soldier at the Army Foundation College from the age of 16 years.

Fitness

  • Mid Thigh Pull 50kg
  • Medicine Ball Throw 2.7m
  • 2km run 11 min 30 sec
More information about the fitness test

Education

No formal qualifications needed

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About the Role

Royal Artillery

The Royal Artillery (RA) are known as Gunners and are responsible for finding and striking the enemy where it counts and providing the British Army with its firepower.

The Sky Sabre (Regular Army only) and High Velocity Missile weapon systems are used to defend against cruise missiles, jets, attack helicopters and drones. As an Air Defence Gunner, you'll use these hi-tech weapons to protect sites like airfields, supply depots and headquarters. You'll learn how to spot enemy aircraft and target them for attack; we'll teach you everything you need to know. In time you could attempt the arduous P Company course and join the battery which supports the Parachute Regiment. Plus, you can get an HGV licence, IT qualifications and leadership skills. With all this plus worldwide travel, great mates, sports and adventurous training, it's an experience like no other.

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Key responsibilities

  • Defend troops from air attacks
  • Work in high-tech weapon systems
  • Destroy enemy targets
  • Learn a highly skilled job role
Training

Step1 Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle.
  • If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you'll do the basic military training (long) course at Harrogate which will last for 49 weeks.
  • If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you'll do the regular adult basic training .
Step 2 Then it's off to Larkhill in Wiltshire to become a qualified Gunner. Over 15 weeks, you do military training and sport, learn to drive a car and trailer, and do a cross-country driving course. You also learn to use Army communication systems. You then join 16 Regiment Royal Artillery, Thorney Island in West Sussex, and learn to use the Army's air defence systems.

Pay and Benefits

You'll earn £27,282 a year from the start of your training, which will go up as you progress throughout your career.

Qualifications You'll Earn

  • Level 2 Express Delivery Apprenticeship
  • HGV truck licence
  • European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
  • Computer Literacy and Information Technology Stage 1 (CLAIT)
  • NVQ in Learning and Development
  • Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)