Reservist Abi Theaker: Combining Military Commitments with Civilian Life

Strategic Insights -

Reservist Abi Theaker, known as Sapper Theaker by her peers, balances her day job as a Senior Technical Officer for Network Rail with her weekly training nights as an Army Reservist at Chesterfield-based 350 Field Squadron, of 75 Engineer Regiment, the Royal Engineers. In her seven years as a Reservist, she has tackled challenging engineering tasks, participated in Soldiering, adventurous training, and representative sport, all while being paid. Reservists like Abi form a crucial part of the UK's Armed Forces, combining part-time military commitments with their normal day-to-day life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abi Theaker, a Senior Technical Officer for Network Rail, has been a Reservist for seven years, training as an Army Reservist at Chesterfield-based 350 Field Squadron, of 75 Engineer Regiment, the Royal Engineers.
  • As a Reservist, Abi has participated in Soldiering, adventurous training, and representative sport, all while being paid.
  • Reservists in the UK form around 17% of the nation's Armed Forces, with more than 32,000 Reservists currently serving.
  • The typical commitment for a Reservist is 27 days a year, spread across evenings, weekends, and training weeks.
  • Abi Theaker has completed a short course to top-up her Soldiering skills, gained licenses to drive articulated lorries and vehicles with hazardous goods on board, and trained in unexploded ordnance search and clearance.
  • Abi plays for the Army Reserves Women's Football Team and has been paid to play, highlighting the variety of opportunities available to Reservists.
  • Warrant Officer Class 2 Carl Evans, of 350 Field Squadron, noted that being a Royal Engineer requires being a Soldier first, an engineer second, and then a trade specialist, covering multiple aspects of the trade.

Statistics:

  • 32,000: The number of Reservists currently serving in the UK.
  • 17%: The percentage of the nation's Armed Forces made up by Reservists.
  • 27 days: The average number of days per year that a Reservist is committed to training and service.
  • Thousands of pounds: The cost of licenses to drive articulated lorries and vehicles with hazardous goods on board, covered by the Army Reserves for Sapper Theaker.
  • 2020: The year Sapper Theaker joined the Royal Engineers.
  • 2021: The year Sapper Theaker completed her Combat Engineer Foundation Course.
  • 30 years: The length of time Sapper Theaker's father served in the Airborne Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Sources:

  • Warrant Officer Class 2 Carl Evans, of 350 Field Squadron
  • Sapper Abi Theaker
  • Army Reserves (https://www.army.mod.uk/join/ reservists)