Is it worth joining the TA?
Discussion
I have been interested in joining the TA for a little while now but am wondering if anyone on here has any experiences they want to share?
I am looking at applying for the engineering side of things (Have been doing engineering now in my day job for 5 years, i am now 23 years old) but am mainly worried about how it will affect my day job.
I have looked at my company policy and I can get up to 10 days paid leave for training a year, and take unpaid leave after that, which is not too bad as i do shifts anyways so will not need to take holiday for all of the training days involved. The main reservation i have is that i love my day job, and really don't want to jeapardise it by joining the TA, and i don't want my managers to think I am taking the piss with the amount of time off etc.
I know i am probably worrying about nothing, but i just need a push in either direction really, so all opinions are welcome
What other things do i need to consider?
I am looking at applying for the engineering side of things (Have been doing engineering now in my day job for 5 years, i am now 23 years old) but am mainly worried about how it will affect my day job.
I have looked at my company policy and I can get up to 10 days paid leave for training a year, and take unpaid leave after that, which is not too bad as i do shifts anyways so will not need to take holiday for all of the training days involved. The main reservation i have is that i love my day job, and really don't want to jeapardise it by joining the TA, and i don't want my managers to think I am taking the piss with the amount of time off etc.
I know i am probably worrying about nothing, but i just need a push in either direction really, so all opinions are welcome
What other things do i need to consider?Is it worth joining the TA? Only if you want to: improve your technical and leadership skills; add value back to your employer as you bring those new skills back to your day job; get very well paid for the time you decide to dedicate to the TA; make friends for life; contribute to the security of your country. You get the idea...good luck!
rog007 said:
Is it worth joining the TA? Only if you want to: improve your technical and leadership skills; add value back to your employer as you bring those new skills back to your day job; get very well paid for the time you decide to dedicate to the TA; make friends for life; contribute to the security of your country. You get the idea...good luck!
Whilst I agree with every word above I would add that unless your prepared to deploy to the Stan or some other exotic location after you have been invited to take part in the UK's next little tiff, then I would say no.Think long and hard because the chances of being deployed were good 6 months ago, after the last round of cuts, they are odds on!
It really does appeal, but like you say does need some serious consideration. I will keep you all updated how i get on You have to realise that the times demands can be very great if you want to fully 'accepted'. Lot's of people that do it are doing it almost full time, there's always something that needs doing whether it's planning exercises, keeping kit in good nick, whatever. You need to budget putting in at least 20% more time than they suggest is the minimum to truly get the most out of it AND fit in.
RedWhiteMonkey said:
What is the realistic chance of an average TA member getting sent to Afghanistan or similar?
Pretty high. The regulars are now in a position where there have to rely on them to fill the gaps.It is ok for a short mission, but we never fight those, so when guys are doing tours every 2 years the retention issues are huge. So the answer is reservists and TA. Not ideal, not good, bu a reality.
And this is going to get worst as we lose more regulars. The BBC are saying we had 18,200 service people at the games, when you consider that the Army 2020 plan is to have a force of 82,000 then that is a pretty big chunk. At it's height in Iraq we had 46,000 troops, Falklands involved 30,000 so it doesn't take much brains to work out the odds.
You may ask that what are the chances of the UK getting involved in anthoer fight? Good I would say if you look at history.
Tours are voluntary, and any future deployments to afghan for someone starting training now would only ever be in a training & mentoring role rather than warfighting.
I've recently completed trade training. The only impact its had on my day job is that I was knackered for 2/3 days after 2 weeks running around at catterick, whether or not the engineer trade training is as demanding, no idea.
I've recently completed trade training. The only impact its had on my day job is that I was knackered for 2/3 days after 2 weeks running around at catterick, whether or not the engineer trade training is as demanding, no idea.
As someone who worked in the careers office all be it on the navy side but we all share the same office and talk to each other. you need permission from your employer to join, although the government leans on big company's to make this possible everybody is decided on individually. Some smaller companies are glad of not having to pay someone for a year because that is how long you will be mobilised for to include per deployment training your deployment and post deployment leave! Other firms say no as the will have to take a temp on for a year and may cost them in training.
shouldbworking said:
Tours are voluntary, and any future deployments to afghan for someone starting training now would only ever be in a training & mentoring role rather than warfighting.
I've recently completed trade training. The only impact its had on my day job is that I was knackered for 2/3 days after 2 weeks running around at catterick, whether or not the engineer trade training is as demanding, no idea.
The amount of times they have said that, then changed the rules and mobilized. I've recently completed trade training. The only impact its had on my day job is that I was knackered for 2/3 days after 2 weeks running around at catterick, whether or not the engineer trade training is as demanding, no idea.
I was in the Royal Logistics Corps TA from 1995-2000, joined when in 6th form, brilliant experience - made some great friends and did some amazing things that most 18 year olds never get the chance to do. All this whilst getting paid the same rates as the regular army. There were boring/tedious/s
t moments too but I only remember the good times. As people have already said though, don't join unless you are prepared for a tour in Afghanistan. When I served there was practically zero chance of getting deployed to a war zone - VERY different ball game now.
t moments too but I only remember the good times. As people have already said though, don't join unless you are prepared for a tour in Afghanistan. When I served there was practically zero chance of getting deployed to a war zone - VERY different ball game now.shed driver said:
You will receive excellent training, learn so much about team working, man management etc - what could a forward looking employer not like about it?
It would only be a very short termist employer who looked at the negatives.
Do it, and very good luck.
SD
Other than employees time out of work to complete training for an employer is HUGE..........It would only be a very short termist employer who looked at the negatives.
Do it, and very good luck.
SD
I can see the benefits but also am on the reciveving end of having to give up a person for 2 weeks to a month for them to complete thier training / qualifications.
As I say it seems to push the right discipline and behaviours which is then usefully transferred to work however I wish it could be a weekend hobby like everyone else's.
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