With both Level 3 & 4 Diploma in IT, Web and telecoms as well as a BscHons in Computer Science what role best suits me?

Hi Brandon,

Great question - it sounds like you'd be an excellent candidate for large parts of the Army but in particular either the Royal Signals or Intelligence Corps.

I'll let a Signaller rep on here discuss Signals options, and stay in my lane as an Intelligence Officer. If you want to use your qualifications to develop or manage communications systems, we can't offer you that and a career in the Royal Signals may better suit you. If you want to use your experiences in an analytical role, we are heavily involved in the analytical (and at times delivery) elements of Signals Intelligence and Cyber activity. There are three roles we offer that may interest you:

1. Operator Technical Intelligence (OPTIs). This is our technical soldier trade. Following Phase One training, you will complete a SIGINT analysis course and then begin a career providing analytical support to Operations using technical intelligence sources. This work is nearly always in support of live operations, and offers work in the UK or abroad. There is an opportunity within this trade to go on a long language course if you want to.

2. Operator Military Intelligence (OPMIs). This is our more varied soldier trade. Following Phase One training, you will complete an Operational Intelligence analysis course. You can post anywhere across the Army or Defence, from 14 (Electronic Warfare) Signals Regiment to 16 Air Assault Brigade. This trade would allow you to make use of your experiences without working as a technical intelligence specialist. There are opportunities within the OPMI trade (every 3 months or so) to take a Cyber Aptitude Test. If successful, you may then post to a full-time cyber role within Defence. If you want to try something completely different, OPMIs can also specialise in a range of intelligence duties including Imagery Intelligence; Human Intelligence; Counter Intelligence; and Open-Source Intelligence - to name but four.

3. Intelligence Officer. Attend the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, apply for Intelligence Duties. If successful, you will lead small teams of OPMIs or OPTIs around the world. Intelligence Officers are leaders first and analysts second - so you have to be just as passionate about leadership and management as you do about analysis.

Much of what we do in technical intelligence is classified, so I can only give you general points here I'm afraid. If you're interested, check out our page on the Army website below. In all cases, we offer an Officer Visit or a Soldier Selection prior to the start of Phase One training. That gives you an opportunity to learn more about the Corps before you make a firm decision.

https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/intelligence-corps/

Thank You, very much for this insight sir! Much Appreciated. I am 21 in February so if I was going to do anything It probably will be around my 24th Birthday -- I will check out the areas mentioned above.

Glad it was helpful Brandon. In the mean time, we have a huge reservist community spread out over the country. If you are interested, they may be able to offer you a paid part time role taking part in some of those activities I discussed above. Let me know if that might be of interest.