Assault Pioneers

[DGT]

I think there is a bit of confusion between assault pioneers & pioneers?

Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the people commenting on this thread are talking about the RLC & their pioneer units.

Army Infantry battalions have assault pioneer platoons - and as far as I can tell their role is similar to a royal marines assault engineer.

I believe the original question was about training as an assault pioneer in his TA regiment? i.e. he was presumably asking about specialising as an Infantry assault pioneer not about whether to join the RLC.

I don't know enough about the subject but the assault pioneers in my regiment are trained to perform basic engineering tasks, boat handling and demolitions.

[GARRYOWEN]

I was under the impression that the infantry assault pioneers belonged to an infantry battalion and not the Pioneer corps now the RLC. The infantry pioneer is usually part of the fire support company along with the mortar, milan and recce platoons. The infantry pioneer platoon carry out construction and demolition on the battlefield.

[Contractor]

Well spotted DGT, I think you are right.

Big difference between Pioneer Corps and Assault Pioneer in the Infantry, hope we haven't put the lad off.

[RobT]

Correct me if I'm wrong but most of the people commenting on this thread are talking about the RLC & their pioneer units.

I didnt know if they were.

Army Infantry battalions have assault pioneer platoons - and as far as I can tell their role is similar to a royal marines assault engineer.

Ahh right, sounds interesting

I don't know enough about the subject but the assault pioneers in my regiment are trained to perform basic engineering tasks, boat handling and demolitions.

Thanks

[Tazzers]

When I was in 3RGJ I trained as an assault pioneer in Hameln in Germany. They are Infantry Engineers, they clear/lay booby traps, clear mines, help, build bridges. Think of the Royal Engineers as second echelon (not a good analogy I know) to the assault pioneer. Assault pioneer is an infantry job title it is not a corp, regiment or unit. They are Green Jackets, Light infantrymen, Paratroopers, Fusiliers, Guardsmen. Basically they are Infantry engineers and support the battalion in a similar fassion to the SFMG (Buglers), Mortars, Recce platoons etc of infantry battalion life and operations. Fully trained infantry soldiers with a number of years of service simply adding to their usual infantry duties. Do not confuse them with the Pioneer Corps the difference is a 'very' big one.