Engineers in the Armed Forces

WO1 (ASM) Steve Walker, IEng, MSOE, MIRTE, GCGI – 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, LAD, REME

"Since becoming a member of the Society of Operations Engineers (selecting the road transport engineer field – IRTE), I have gained registration with Engineering Council as an Incorporated Engineer.

"The majority of REME soldiers join the army to gain a trade and during our careers we obtain qualifications; from City & Guilds to HND’s in various forms of Engineering, whether it be in the Mechanical, Electrical or Aeronautical disciplines.

"I joined the REME at 16 as an apprentice gunfitter, not realising the true extent of where I would end up, or what engineering actually involved. I have now been in the REME for 19 years, have an HNC in engineering and have reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class One.

"Like all Army personnel we have to retire from the army at some stage and I believe that although we are qualified in engineering, some employers may not understand our military experience. That was one of the reasons I opted to become a member of an engineering institute four years ago, as well as the fact that more doors would be opened when employers know you are actually a professionally qualified engineer.

"Since becoming a member of the Society of Operations Engineers (selecting the Road Transport Engineer field – IRTE), I have gained registration with the Engineering council as an Incorporated Engineer. All of this is crucial to my career, whether it be in the military or when I eventually leave in the future. The director of REME is encouraging all our soldiers to become members of institutes in order that we prove our worth with civilian counterparts; from a personal point of view, I feel that any Class One tradesman who does not join an institute is underselling themselves.”