Specialist Group Information Services

As an outcome of the UK Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) of 2010, the Future Reserves 2020 (FR20) consultation paper Delivering the Nation’s Security Together, published in late 2012 explained how the Army Reserve needed to almost double in size to a trained strength of 30,000. Particular emphasis was placed upon the requirement for many more specialists, i.e. reservists who are recruited primarily for their professional expertise and skills which are in short supply in the Regular Army. SGIS provides consultancy-style expertise in relation to both Information Management and Information Exploitation in support of the Army and UK Defence as a whole, with their increasing reliance on technology for decision advantage.

The Unit typically assembles six or seven times each year for military training, Unit development, educational and multi-stream capability delivery purposes. All individuals are required to pass military annual training tests, develop an awareness of the wider army and its pan Defence client base, gain an understanding of Royal Corps of Signals and army culture and be able to work in small teams. All individuals complete a minimum of 19 days per year, which focus on the execution of tasks for clients and some military training.

The Unit comprises of Specialist Reserve Officers (SROs), mainstream Reservists, former full-career Regular officers and soldiers. The Unit rank range is lance corporal to warrant officers (WO1), then captain to lieutenant colonel. SGIS recruit specialists directly from the commercial IT industry, but also ex-Regular and mainstream Reserve personnel who have the right IT skills. Typically, they will recruit individuals with deep industry experience in Cloud Architecture, Cyber Security, Enterprise Architecture, Information Assurance, WAN Architecture, Data Modelling, Software Development & Testing, Office 365 / SharePoint Mastery & Business Automation, Business Strategy & Innovation, and Service Operations.

2020-To date As of 1 October 2020 SGIS, moved under 13th Signal Regiment part of 1st Signal Brigade.

2019-2020 On the 1 May 2019 SGIS moved under 71st (City of London) Yeomanry Signal Regiment.

2014-2020 LICSG was renamed to 254 (Specialist Group Information Services) Signal Squadron on the 1 May 2014 under the then hybrid 15th Signal Regiment (Information Support).

2001 Central Volunteer Headquarters (CVHQ) Royal Signals formed. As well as including LIAG, it was identified that many non-security IT specialists also wanted to serve. The Land Information Communications Systems Group (LICSG) was formed within Specialist Group Royal Signals (SGRS).

1971-1992 The first re-formation of 254 Signal Squadron (UNFICYP – United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus).

1965 Disbanded and duties were taken on by 15 Signal Regiment.

1960-1965 Renamed to 254 Signal Squadron(Aden).

1958-1959 HQ British Forces Arabian Peninsula (Independent) based in Aden.

• 254 (SGIS) Signal Squadron
• 15th Signal Regiment (Information Support)
• LICSG - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Information_and_Communications_Services_Group
• 15 SR – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_Signal_Regiment_(United_Kingdom)
• 13 SR – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Signal_Regiment_(United_Kingdom)
• 71 (Y) SR – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/71_(City_of_London)_Yeomanry_Signal_Regiment
• 1 X – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Signal_Brigade_and_Headquarters_West_Midlands
• 11 X – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Signal_Brigade_and_Headquarters_West_Midlands