What do deployments abroad include? Like what happens and whats the day to day life of soldiers like on deployment?

The British Army are on operations in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, South Sudan, Estonia and Mali. What you will be doing personally will depend on your trade and what type of Operation it is. For example, I was in South Sudan last year as part of a United Nations peacekeeping taskforce. I was deployed with the Royal Engineers who were carrying out tasks such as upgrading roads and building accommodation. My job as an HR Specialist was arranging or travel to and from my location, tracking movement,issuing cash with my own float of $5000 and ensuring everyone was paid properly.

On other operations you could be involved in a training role such as training foreign Armies or protecting military sites.

The day to day life whilst overseas can vary depending on your trade.

When you arrive at the destination, a vehicle mechanic could start his handover takeover where he takes charge of all vehicles, a workshop and tools or an infantry unit could start acclimatisation and familiarisation of the area when they arrive in country.

Day to day would differ. For example, as an infantry unit you could be patrolling local areas, meeting local leaders or doing clearance patrols of known hostile areas whilst a dog handler for instance would assist infantry units on the frontline with a working dog to search etc. You could also be securing base, on sport or adventurous training or on down time relaxing!

Every job will differ but we all need assistance from one another to get the main objective done

J

It all depends on what trade you are and where you deploy. But it is always busy!

Advance parties will hit the ground running in preparation for setting up for the main body of troops coming out. Whilst they are setting up to receive their soldiers the outgoing soldiers are prepping to leave and to handover in good order. Once the main body arrive and depending on the climate there may be a requirement to acclimatise ( get used to the weather) before conducting the final training required for the theatre you are in.

Then you move into the Handover/takeover phase, sign for vehicles, accommodation, work spaces and equipment. Familiarising yourself with the local intelligence, patrol routes and basically getting as much information from the the outgoing as you can before they leave and you take on your mission or task.

Then, with any luck and depending on the length of time you are away or what you are doing, you might get some R&R and/or Adventure training. Or, you might just work right through.

As with many things in the Army, things are very rarely the same. Every deployment is different, every exercises changes, we are constantly improving training. So even if you go on the same Exercise in the same country, it won't be exactly the same as you remember it.

If you are lucky, you might get a bit more money, a bit of time off and maybe a suntan. But I can guarantee you will get an experience and lessons that will stand you in good stead.

Honesty i would rather have an adventure instead im stuck in Oban, i want to get away and be apart of something greater ie. ground force infantry im just worried they wont let me in because of my eyesite and glasses. buts its not as bad to where i can't identify a friendly unit from 5 km away. it just feels like theirs some sort of special selection for BAF that denying me my opportunity to server. ive tried every avenue and i still can't arrange an interview with an RO. any feed back would be good. Thanks -James