Honourable Artillery Company

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is the oldest regiment within the British Army. It has a long and distinguished history. The HAC is now a renowned regiment within Britain's Territorial Army (TA).

The Honourable Artillery Company's current role is one of Surveillance and Target Acquisition. The HAC train to operate in small teams of 4-6 men, inserting into enemy-held territory in order to gather intelligence and find targets for deep strike systems such as MLRS artillery and strike aircraft. There are 3 of these Patrol Squadrons within the HAC. The HAC's role is identical to 4/73 Battery of the regular army's Royal Artillery. In time of war, 4/73 Bty would in fact form a fourth Patrol Squadron for the HAC.

HAC patrol squadrons are trained in long range communications, navigation and target recognition. At least one member of a given patrol will be a fully trained medic.

Communications support is provided by Signal Squadron.

HAC Selection and Training

Selection for the Honourable Artillery Company is open to civilians aged 18-32 (or older for those with previous military experience).

Those without a military background undergo a HAC Recruits' Course that gets them up to speed with basic soldiering skills. The Recruit's course lasts six months (Tuesday evenings, about one weekend a month and a ten-day final exercise).

The HAC Recruit's course tests candidates levels of fitness and comprises lessons in:

• survival techniques
• weapons drills
• basic communications

Those who pass the Recruit's course join the regiment and go on to a Patrol Selection Course which comprises:

• first aid
• advanced navigation
• close quarter battle skills
• foreign equipment recognition
• observation post construction, operation and routine
• long range communications

The above training is complemented by a series of tests:

• swimming tests
• navigation tests
• long distance marches over arduous terrain carrying heavy loads

These tests conclude with a 10 day final exercise which tests the recruit's proficiency in the skills acquired.

HAC Signalers go through a similar selection path as the Patrol Squadrons, but only doing a portion of the Patrol Selection Course. They then go on to a Basic Communications Course which comprises:

• familiarization with the HAC regiment's communications systems
• long-distance High Frequency radio communications - both theory and practice

A final 10 day exam, run in parallel with the Patrol Selection Course finals, tests the recruits acquired skills.

For information on joining the Honourable Artillery Company, see the official web site

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