SSgt Toby Townsend (AGC (RMP), pictured), who runs his own commercial UAS and training firm, believes there could be significant untapped potential in the ranks that might help with all uses of the kit. And he urged defence chiefs to more closely scrutinise the list of civvy skills that troops already provide to see if they can help.
The 33-year-old, who is also an instructor with Manchester and Salford University Officers’ Training Corps, told Soldier: “The drone is a game-changer on many fronts, the one-way effect platform being just one example.
“There are reservists with the experience to assist.
“Knowledge they have from civvy street can be adapted for military use, but it needs to be identified.
“All of us record our civilian skills on Defence Gateway, so they are available to see. We could help as soldiers if they are picked up by the right people.”
SSgt Townsend – who has been in uniform for 16 years and established his own firm a decade ago – said reservists came from many walks of life. Several skills, some of which were niche or highly specialist, could be useful to the army if properly configured, the senior NCO added.
