No comms, no bombs: New Royal Signals officers ready to ensure battlefield task is met

New Royal Corps of Signals officers have completed their Troop Commander training and are now ready to take on their first roles in the Army.

After graduating from Sandhurst last year, they spent six months specialising in their role, mastering the technical and leadership skills required to command troops on the battlefield.

Their final test, a two-week tactical exercise known as Mercury Validation, ensured they are ready to lead their soldiers in high-pressure situations.

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The exercise included setting up and troubleshooting communications networks while responding to simulated battlefield scenarios, ensuring they are fully prepared for the demands of their new roles.

Among the graduates is Second Lieutenant Tegan Shone, who is following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, although she is the first in her family to go in at officer rank.

Reflecting on her training, she said: "This is the first time we've ever staffed the working environment ourselves, as well as setting up the radios ourselves.

"It's been working through, fault-finding, and in the end we've managed to get full working nets and data in."

She added that she was "massively excited" about the challenges ahead.

The new troop commanders will now lead around 30 soldiers each in Signals units across the UK, playing a critical role in ensuring communication on the battlefield – something 2Lt Shone sums up with their motto: "No comms, no bombs."