Paul F.

I joined the British Army and qualified as an STA Special Observer.

I joined the British Army in 2011 and I am a Special Observer. I am now the Patrol Commander of a 4-6 person STA Patrol within 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. I successfully completed the Surveillance & Reconnaissance Patrols Course (SRPC) in 2012 and became a member of 4/73 (Sphinx) Special O.P Battery. I completed the SRPC directly after Royal Artillery Phase 2 training and have been with 4/73, based in Catterick, North Yorkshire since then. My role has seen me deploy on numerous overseas training exercises and operations with a wide array of special capability units within NATO. Being a Special Observer has meant a great deal of responsibility and trust was given to me from the very beginning of my career. This is something I have enjoyed throughout my career within 4/73 (Sphinx) Special O.P Battery and it has helped me improve both personally and professionally, whilst at home and during trips and deployments across the world.

Patrol Commander, STA Patrols, 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery

4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery, 5th Regiment, Royal Artillery is a Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) unit in the British Army. It fields the British Army with long-range STA Patrols which provide specialist surveillance, reconnaissance and joint fires in high-threat environments. It is my responsibility in the unit to plan, deliver and command a 4-6 person STA Patrol of Special Observers on exercise and operations. My team and I will plan how to conduct a task or mission with the optimal outcome before executing the mission. It is my responsible to make sure the task is successful and that soldiers within my STA Patrol are qualified, competent, confident and are willing to work for me and each other to achieve our goal.

Working with like-minded, determined people in a varied job role.

Every person I interact with in my role is a self motivated, trustworthy and reliable person. They are from across a wide array of backgrounds within the UK and worldwide. We all have a common goal to set high standards and be successful. Due to our role being highly demanding and in a high risk environment, I am motivated to perform to my highest ability as the people I work with always perform to the highest of their ability. As an STA Patrol Commander I am motivated to perform to the best of my ability for my peers and colleagues as we all rely on each other. This work ethic means I continually push myself and the team constantly push each other to develop in both their professional and personal life.

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