REME Careers
My Year as a Gap Year Commissioned Officer Second Lieutenant Will Barker details his experience serving with the REME during his Gap Year Commission. Getting a chance to see what military life is like and the variety of employment opportunities, this is undoubtably more exciting than your typical placement job. The scheme aims to attract the best Graduates to the Army, bringing us in line with our civilian counterparts and ensuring that we maintain the quality needed when recruiting future leaders.
Foreword – Maj Owen McNamee, RHQ REME, SO2 Officer Recruiting
T
he Gap Year Commission (GYC) scheme has been rebranded and will be known as the Army Internship Scheme from 2021 onwards. The only significant difference between the two schemes is that the Internship is open to recent Graduates, up to the age of 28, as well as those who are between school and university and have a firm offer to study. The scheme remains funded for 30 places per annum, across the Army and the REME normally takes 2 cadets per year. All cadets will complete Mod A-E of the Commissioning Course Short (CCS).
The application process for the Army Internship Scheme remains the same as the GYC scheme. Candidates apply by visiting the Army Officer Internship page on the Army Jobs site (googling ‘Army Internship’ will also bring the link straight up). They will undergo eligibility and medical checks before attending Briefing and Main Board assessment events at Army Officer Selection Board. Candidates must select three choices of capbadge with whom they wish to complete their Internship. The National Recruiting Centre (NRC) will supply candidates with a list of placement opportunities which includes contact details for Regtl reps. Once candidates have completed Briefing events they may arrange interviews with RHQs to discuss their placement. Once through the Commissioning Course and on promotion to 2Lt the Officer now moves onto their unit to begin their one year adventure with the REME.
Scribe: Second Lieutenant Will Barker 2 Close Support Battalion REME Second Lieutenant Will Barker
34 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk
My name is Will Barker and in September 2020 I attended The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) to undertake the Professionally Qualified Officer (PQO), or Short Commissioning Course, number 203. This would mark my first experience with
