Mud, sweat and shooting: learn about life in the Armed Forces

Saturday 02 June 2018

Think you could hack life in the Armed Forces? Jersey Field Squadron is hosting an open evening next week to help islanders find out.

Held on Wednesday 6 June from 17:00 to 21:00 at Le Quesne Barracks on Mount Bingham, near Havre des Pas, the evening will showcase the opportunities available for individuals who are considering joining its ranks.

The public will also be able visit the barracks and view the impressive Militia Silver collection, which was previously on display at Elizabeth Castle and has been loaned by Jersey Heritage.

Army Reservists from the Jersey Field Squadron will be on hand to answer questions on what it is like to serve in the Armed Forces. The open evening will show case the opportunities available within the Squadron for individuals to develop their potential and earn extra money in their spare time. There will be the chance to use some of the kit and equipment that the Squadron regularly trains with.

Jersey Field Squadron was recently attached to the 25 Close Support Engineer Group. The move will see the Squadron provide engineering support to the 3rd (UK) Division and provide more opportunities for local reservists from Jersey to deploy on operations abroad. This means that following their training, the new recruits will have opportunities to deploy on Operations around the world alongside Regular soldiers as well as support mission critical training in places such as Canada and Kenya. 

Pictured: The open evening will take place at Le Quesne Barracks on Mount Bingham.

Individuals can learn new trades from Combat Engineer to Communication Specialists as well as Military Chefs, Medics and Plant Operators. Each Reservist is trained as a soldier first and masters skills such as field craft, shooting, navigation and first aid before they pick a specialist subject within the Royal Engineers.

Those specialist areas include:

• Combat Engineers, who build bridges, use demolitions and provide water to the Army
• Plant Operators, who drive the diggers, building defences and moving earth
• Communications specialists, who ensure soldiers can communicate over distances using the BOWMAN secure military radio system
• Military Chefs to feed hungry soldiers both in barracks and in the field where they often have to improvise with cooking techniques and ingredients
• Specialist drivers who get behind the wheel of a variety of military vehicles

There will be a collection for the Army Benevolent Fund during the Open Evening.