Brigadier Alistair Deas: My name's Brigadier Alistair Deas.
I command the Defence College of Logistics and Personal istration.
Every aspect of what a soldier does requires an element of both numeracy and literacy.
Despite all the modern technologies that we have, we still rely an awful lot on written orders.
Soldier 1: Okay, we've got sentries posted on each apex.
Soldier 2: Okay, and we've got a manned main gate, okay, restricting access into fob.
Soldier 3: They have to be able to interpret orders and understand what is the intent of that particular order.
Brigadier Alistair Deas: Basic numeracy skills are required, even firing just a rifle.
Soldier 4: We're actually doing mental arithmetic.
We deploy with six full magazines.
Now, in each magazine, there's 30 rounds, so that 180 rounds per soldier.
Now, the rapid rate of fire is 30 rounds a minute, which is one round every two seconds.
Now, bearing in mind we only carry six magazines when we go to war, we, obviously, have to make sure that we don't exceed the rapid rate of fire for too long because otherwise it'll mean we'll run out of ammunition far too quickly.
Solider 5: Overall, it's a very good shot.
Now, your main point of impact should be 25mls.
Brigadier Alistair Deas: It's basic maths, but it's quite complex.
I think the things that makes it most complex is the environment in which he's doing it.
He's not behind a desk; he may be under fire.
Solider 6: On the left-hand side is all the current tasks that are happening at the moment; these are paperwork tasks that we're getting through, as kit comes in.
Broken down from nine to 14 at the moment, because they're the current tasks.
And then, as you look along the top from one to seven, a cross means he has completed that relevant task.
A tick means that he still needs to just still complete certain areas on that task.
Solider 7: 98 centimetres.
Brigadier Alistair Deas: There's many aspects that soldiers have to deal with, and it's not the most obvious.
For example, we have tailors and we equipment repairers.
These are additional skills we give some soldiers to do so that they can carry out tailoring or equipment repair in the field.
Solider 8: 35 centimetres.
Brigadier Alistair Deas: Straight forward tailoring work requires people to look at patterns, measure out lengths of material, work out sizes, do basic maths, follow basic instructions.
Squad: One, two three.
Brigadier Alistair Deas: Basic numeracy and basic literacy skills are a key requirement for every solider, sailor and airman.
Quick tips for tutors
These resources cover some of the literacy and numeracy skills that may be needed to work in armed forces and security. They also signpost to further websites to find more information about this vocational area. All the resources can be cross-referenced to the national adult literacy or numeracy curriculum and will also be relevant for learners on functional skills courses.
able Factsheets
Entry 1 & 2 - Reading orders
How to read orders in the army.
Entry 3 - 24 hour clock for armed forces
How to record times using the 24 hour clock, as used by the armed forces.
Entry 3 - Working in armed services and security
Summary of career opportunities in the armed forces and security, including the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Army.
Entry 3 - Working in armed services and security
Summary of career opportunities in the armed forces and security, including the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Army.
Level 1 - Map reading for armed forces and security
Summary of map reading basics - an essential skill for the armed forces and security.
Level 1 - Useful words for armed forces and security
A summary of common words used in the armed forces and security, including tips for ing how to spell them.
Entry 1 & 2 - Reading orders
How to read orders in the army.
Entry 3 - 24 hour clock for armed forces
How to record times using the 24 hour clock, as used by the armed forces.
able Worksheets
Entry 3 - Skills for armed forces and security
Assess your skills for work-related tasks in the armed forces and security by completing this chart.
Entry 3 - 24 hour clock for armed forces and security
Exercise in reading the 24 hour clock and interpreting this to analogue time, showing your understanding by drawing in the clock hands to show stated times.
Level 1 - Armed forces and security words in use
Exercise in matching work-related words to their definitions.
