Interview with a sapper

In this post, we bring you an interview conducted on our Discord channel with a sapper from the Army. We hope you enjoy it.

Remember that you can join our Discord channel to participate in this type of interview.

1.- Do the sapper units have SERECO or do they act as SERECO themselves?

Yes, in fact in all the units where there are sapper teams there is a reconnaissance section. In my unit, for example, in a Company there is that section, which for logistical reasons is somewhat merged with the explosive ordnance disposal section.

2.- What vehicles do they work with?

The most characteristic vehicles in my sapper unit are the Husky and the RG-31, the famous and hated TOAS, the VAMTAC, the Dornier and Bailey bridges, the Alacran M60, and other construction machinery such as a backhoe: the typical machines you see on building sites, to give you an idea.

3.- When you go out for maneuvers, what do you do?

It depends on the type of exercise: Alfa exercises at Battalion level, or exercises supporting larger units. For example, if a Cavalry Battalion requests support from a sapper section, we are attached to it and carry out whatever tasks it assigns us. We do general sapper work: minefields, fortifications, route reconnaissance, checkpoints, breaching by launching a “pértiga”, assaulting high ground, etc.

4.- How often do you usually do drills?

From my experience so far, before COVID we did between 4 and 6 exercises a year, some lasting 1 week and others 2, depending on the circumstances.
After COVID, the number of exercises was reduced considerably, until they gradually started returning to normal.

5.- Do you think there is enough free time to be able to study?

It depends on how much time you want to set aside, how organised you are and what you want to do with your free time. Normally, without exercises or extended periods of continuous training, etc., you are free by 15:00 at the latest. That leaves you several hours until you return to your routine at 07:45 the following day. Subtract at least 6 – 7 hours for sleep, of course. You then have the whole afternoon and part of the evening to go to the gym, do your shopping, study for a competitive public-service exam or even attend afternoon classes at a school if you want to. So you can find time if you want to; everyone has to decide how to manage it and what to use it for.

It does depend on the unit: the activities may leave you more or less tired, and you may want to have a nap or simply relax and do nothing. Some units are quieter and others less so, as with everything.

6.- What is the routine of the sapper?

The routine of the sapper unit is probably like that of any other unit. I will describe a day in my unit. At around 07:45 we form up on the parade ground, where updates are given to the Usía, so if you have to form up at that time, you can calculate what time you need to get up if you live on the Base or at home, depending on how far you are from the Base.

We then do physical training from 08:00, when the flag call sounds, until around 09:00. Afterwards, you shower, clean up, change and have something to eat. Activities resume at around 10:00. Each Company has a topic or activity, depending on what is scheduled for that day, week or month: minefields or breaching, for example. This continues until around 14:15, when we start putting everything away in the stores, “furry” or armouries. The time until dismissal at 14:45 is for resting, or “hacer patria”, as we jokingly call it here, hehe. That means commanders and subordinates talking about all sorts of things: our concerns, tasks, goals, objectives and plans, building camaraderie among everyone, etc.

On Fridays we start at the same time, but training usually gives way to vehicle maintenance and a general cleanup of the Base, and we finish approximately 1 hour earlier. The schedule described above is the normal one. During periods of low activity, we start at the same time but finish approximately 1 hour earlier every day.

7.- What made you choose the unit you are in?

When I filled out the application with the 15 postings to choose from, I listed them from the closest to my home to the furthest away, widening the radius around my city until I had filled all 15 slots. I also had a relative who had served in the Engineers, so I already knew what that specialisation involved. It was basically the only one I knew; I chose the rest from all the specialisations according to proximity.

8.- What do you like most about the unit?

Well, I like the good atmosphere that there is in general, they are also gradually improving in various aspects, but time will tell. The truth is that I mainly stay for the people.

9.- What do you like least about the unit?

Well, the eternal cold that is always there, haha, you have to get used to it, but you survive well. And that it is a unit that they could call more for missions, but unfortunately it goes out very little or almost not at all.

10.- Is there anything you would improve?

Yes, a few things: trying to give unit personnel opportunities to deploy on missions, improving some of the Base infrastructure and making things easier for personnel. I imagine these concerns are very similar in other units; they are basically “general” issues…

11.- Any advice for coping well in a sapper unit?

Sapper training is probably tougher than training in Signals or Artillery, for example, with greater demands on physical training so that you can cope better with combat training. With a good endurance and strength training plan, you will manage both of these aspects well.

12.- What is the level of physical demand?

If you are asking because you want to apply to join the military and become a sapper, or you are currently training at Cefot 2, a normal level of fitness will get you through. Good strength and running endurance training will help you a lot, both with running during physical training and when training with a loaded backpack and weapons. It is manageable.

13.- From your point of view, what is the main function of the sappers?

What I am about to say is what my instructors at Cefot 2 taught me. I share their view because it reflects the reality: in war, the role is to facilitate the movement of allied troops and hinder that of the enemy.

They favor the mobility of armies, by advancing ahead of the rest of the forces, securing roads and structures such as bridges for the passage of troops.

14.- Can any type of accessory be carried on the vest? (Extra pouches, first aid kit…)

I think that is a matter for each unit. Some time ago, in my unit you could carry any kind of accessory, even a first aid kit on the side of your backpack. Now, everything carried outside must be regulation army equipment. Any other items you bring must go inside the backpack, with nothing on the outside. The same applies to the fragmentation vest and the “peco”.

15.- What is your goal as a sapper: joining the MOE, becoming an NCO, joining the CNP…?

My goal in 2022 is to enter the NCO career path. I have already used 1 application round without getting in. If that does not work out, my second option is to apply for reserved places in the Civil Guard. It is always good to have other options if the first one fails. There are hundreds of other competitive public-service exams that offer interesting opportunities for professional advancement.

16.- What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

If you are young and want to apply after finishing compulsory education, go ahead if you feel a strong calling. I recommend starting as an enlisted soldier and using your initial term of service to see whether you like military life. If you do, you can then work towards internal promotion to officer or NCO. If you apply through direct entry, for example to become an NCO, you might pass, finish the academy and then discover, once in a unit, that you dislike that life and the daily routine. You may regret it and leave, as I have seen people do. Military life is not for everyone; each person is different and has their own characteristics, preferences and limits. Another important point: if you really want to join the army, do not wait until you are almost at the age limit, as you may regret it. Joining late can restrict your later opportunities for promotion or development through courses and other options. An 18-year-old is also supposed to be physically fitter in theory than a 29-year-old, which I believe is the age limit now, although in many cases I have seen exactly the opposite.

I also recommend gaining an intermediate vocational qualification before joining and, if possible, an advanced vocational qualification too. Those skills may prove useful in the army later; you will see when the time comes. Training at Cefot 2 is manageable and, from my point of view, easy. Those who do not pass are not cut out for this life and want to live in comfort, sheltered by mum and dad, so it is not for them. Whether you pass training at Cefot 2 or Cefot 1 makes no difference to me: afterwards, each unit has its own specialist training. For sappers, that is the IBZ (Basic Sapper Training), which lasts approximately 1 to 3 months depending on the unit. They will push you a little harder there and your instructors will be stricter, but the response is “Yes, sir” to everything, and you keep going. There will be difficult moments when your body says, “I cannot”, but your mind can get you through by saying, “I can”. At those moments, think of the best times in your life, with family, friends, a partner, etc. That will help you overcome everything that lies ahead and much more.

I hope this advice helps you all. Best wishes

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