What route would I need to take to become a STA Patrols Special Observer?

Hi Sam,

Thank you for your question.

4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery is the Army’s only Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Patrol unit and is within 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. They are based in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

The Special Observers in 4/73 Battery deploy a specialist force on the ground at range, in close proximity to the enemy. They locate and prosecute targets as required. Working as the ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) group, the STA Patrols Troop are subject matter experts on Static Covert Surveillance (SCS) and complement the reconnaissance activity conducted by other Ground Manned Reconnaissance (GMR) forces in the Brigade and Division.

To join the Battery you would need to complete Phase 1 Training as normal and then the Royal Artillery Phase 2 Training. On completion of this you would then request to attend the Patrols Course (any cap badge can attend the course).

The Patrols Course is an 18 week arduous course which trains candidates in the requisite skills over a series of 8 modules:

1) Physical Endurance, Stamina and Navigation

2) Tactics and Patrolling

3) Communications Skills

4) Advanced Combat Field Firing

5) Specialist Skills Package
a) Specialist OP and Observation Skills
b) Medical Trauma
c) Survival

6) Advanced Patrolling Skills

7) Final Surveillance and Reconnaissance Patrolling evaluation

8) Basic Op Assistant

The best way to prepare and give yourself the best chance at being successful on the course is to fully apply yourself during training. Become skilled at navigation and field craft, and train yourself to be at the peak of physical and mental robustness and fitness.

The Battery provides essential support to land forces, as well as great opportunities for soldiers!

I hope this goes some way to answering your question but if you’d like to know anything more specific please ask.

Katie