SQs

[LJ_]

I saw a video about 29 Commando Royal Artillery and someone was talking about everyone having an SQ, what would the SQs for gunners be? I realise this isn't a RM question, didn't know where else to post this thread.

 

[Johnny_Anonie]

29 Cdo RA have a number of roles & capabilities that are encompassed within the regiment. Within 29 Cdo they have a training wing, a light gun detachment, Artillery Command Systems operators, Fire support teams and they also have a platoon/battery of RA special observers permanently attached.

The will also have attached support from the RAMC, RLC and REME.

 

[Hyperhippo]

Part of Phase 2 training for the RA includes completing a Level 2 course to make you employable straight away into a role when you arrive at Regiment. Once you’ve put in your preferences and have been confirmed your Regiment will likely sway what L2 course you are put on. Phase 2 Gunners who are going to 29 Cdo will likely be put on the L2 light Gun course or L2 Arty Comms. (If you place top third in L1 Arty Comms, then generally you’ll end up on L2 Comms, everyone will do L1 Comms)

At the Light Gun Regiments (29 Cdo and 7 RHA), once a Gunner has completed the relevant arduous course you’ll go “on the guns” or “in the CP (Command Post)” based on which L2 course you did at Phase 2.

You tend to go to FSTs after a period of working on the guns or in the CP because to be an individual in an FST you need to have a good sense of the wider tactical picture and situational awareness which you can build up massively within these 2 roles.

To answer your question directly “what would SQs for Gunners be?”, it would be the Level 2 course completed at Phase 2, there are many L2 courses which can be completed, but L2 Arty Comms and L2 Light Gun (and L2 AS90) are the most common which are run.

Happy to answer any further questions about the RA if you have any.

 

[LJ_]

Part of Phase 2 training for the RA includes completing a Level 2 course to make you employable straight away into a role when you arrive at Regiment. Once you’ve put in your preferences and have been confirmed your Regiment will likely sway what L2 course you are put on. Phase 2 Gunners who are going to 29 Cdo will likely be put on the L2 light Gun course or L2 Arty Comms. (If you place top third in L1 Arty Comms, then generally you’ll end up on L2 Comms, everyone will do L1 Comms)

At the Light Gun Regiments (29 Cdo and 7 RHA), once a Gunner has completed the relevant arduous course you’ll go “on the guns” or “in the CP (Command Post)” based on which L2 course you did at Phase 2.

You tend to go to FSTs after a period of working on the guns or in the CP because to be an individual in an FST you need to have a good sense of the wider tactical picture and situational awareness which you can build up massively within these 2 roles.

To answer your question directly “what would SQs for Gunners be?”, it would be the Level 2 course completed at Phase 2, there are many L2 courses which can be completed, but L2 Arty Comms and L2 Light Gun (and L2 AS90) are the most common which are run.

Happy to answer any further questions about the RA if you have any.

Are the FSTs JTAC trained aswell as directing artillery?

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

Are the FSTs JTAC trained aswell as directing artillery?

Probably not. RM JTACs fall under Air Defence troop, Army JTACs fall under Signals, if I remember correctly.

Remember that SQs within RM are Commandos First, SQ second. Army Commandos are SQs who are commando trained.

So 29 would already be made up of SQs, as discussed above. You won’t join 29 and take an SQ, as the whole unit is specialised. If that makes sense?

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

Part of Phase 2 training for the RA includes completing a Level 2 course to make you employable straight away into a role when you arrive at Regiment. Once you’ve put in your preferences and have been confirmed your Regiment will likely sway what L2 course you are put on. Phase 2 Gunners who are going to 29 Cdo will likely be put on the L2 light Gun course or L2 Arty Comms. (If you place top third in L1 Arty Comms, then generally you’ll end up on L2 Comms, everyone will do L1 Comms)

At the Light Gun Regiments (29 Cdo and 7 RHA), once a Gunner has completed the relevant arduous course you’ll go “on the guns” or “in the CP (Command Post)” based on which L2 course you did at Phase 2.

You tend to go to FSTs after a period of working on the guns or in the CP because to be an individual in an FST you need to have a good sense of the wider tactical picture and situational awareness which you can build up massively within these 2 roles.

To answer your question directly “what would SQs for Gunners be?”, it would be the Level 2 course completed at Phase 2, there are many L2 courses which can be completed, but L2 Arty Comms and L2 Light Gun (and L2 AS90) are the most common which are run.

Happy to answer any further questions about the RA if you have any.

Banging post, spot on.

 

[Dangerous Steve]

I saw a video about 29 Commando Royal Artillery and someone was talking about everyone having an SQ, what would the SQs for gunners be? I realise this isn't a RM question, didn't know where else to post this thread.

The SQ's, or trades in Army parlance, in the Artillery range from gun line, command post (CP) and First Support Teams (FST) to stores and motor transport (MT). As mentioned above you will get trained in a Level 2 course straight out the box. I believe it's done at Regiment now as Phase 2 is primarily just getting a drivers license and some education. I'm not sure why they stopped training recruits in a trade in Phase 2 and placing the burden on Regiments, but that's the Artillery for you. You will end up in any trade depending on where numbers are needed. Normally if someone has a bit about them they will get picked to be an FST Signaller. If you're lucky you'll do that straight from training and never have to be at the gun end.

Are the FSTs JTAC trained aswell as directing artillery?

No. The JTAC is part of the FST but it is the FST Ack's job to call in fires. The JTAC has a lot of other stuff going on to be dealing with the gun net. However most of the Artillery JTAC's tend to come from the FST Ack trade by nature so they are already trained in calling in fires, should they ever go back to that job.