Nrhq Ra

This is the official Facebook presence for National Reserve Headquarters Royal Artillery (NRHQ RA) a reserve regiment of the British Army. The regiment comprises the All Arms Staff Pool, 221 and 255 Batteries.

NRHQ RA is the youngest unit in the Royal Artillery, having been formed in 1967. Although its headquarters is based in Woolwich, the unit recruits from all over the UK to provide Army Reserve officers and soldiers in support of operations and exercises. Only half of CVHQ RA is in the Royal Artillery, the rest represent almost every other cap badge in the British Army.

The Regiment has 3 unique sub units; the All Arms Staff Pool, 221 (Wessex) Battery RA and 255 (Somerset Yeomanry) Battery RA.

a) All Arms Staff Pool – Support the Regular Army Formation HQ’s. Consisting of 164 personnel, who are rank ranged Captain to Lieutenant Colonel, the pool offers support to ARRC, Divisions, Brigades, RAF Squadrons (Ground Liaison Officers) and Battlefield Coordination Detatchments (Air).

b) 221 (Wessex) Battery RA – RA specialists who provide support to the Royal School of Artillery, the Gunnery Training Team and Regiments on operations and exercises. The Battery, based out of Larkhill, has 84 personnel broken down into a Battery HQ and HQ 1st Artillery Brigade support Troop, a Gunnery Staff and Training Team, and the Naval Gunfire Liaison Pool.

c) 255 (Somerset Yeomanry) Battery RA – A recent addition to the Royal Artillery, this Battery, based out of Bath, consists of 42 personnel and generates 10 Tactical Air Control Parties for operations and exercises.

Being a national unit we do not hold drill nights, but for personnel to qualify for their bounty the training requirement is as follows:

a) 19 training days minimum per annum made up of:

- 2 day Military Annual Training Tests weekend.

- 2 day Annual Briefing weekend.

- 15 days of ‘core activity’ consisting of exercises, staff duties and maintaining competency.

b) Up to 15 days extra every 2 years for career courses.

c) At least 5 days adventurous training is available every 2 years.

d) Members of the Regiment can do up to 199 days per year, but most do approximately 40 days per year.

So what does this mean for you? – NRHQ RA is evolving to meet the demands of Army2020. We offer interesting and varied opportunities and provide wide ranging staff support, not just Watchkeepers. 221 (Wessex Battery) Bty, the RA specialists, is growing with opportunities for all ranks from Gunner to Warrant Officer Class 1. The Gunnery Staff element has doubled creating an additional Reserves Training Team and the newly formed 255 (Somerset Yeomanry) Battery in Bath, which specialises in Tactical Air Control Parties, is recruiting now.