Anyone on here in th TA?
Discussion
im not sure if this is the correct section, but hey ho.
so iv always had an urge to pursue a career in the armed forces, but i never had the balls, nor think that i could live without the small luxuries i surround myself with. yet the urge is still coming back.
i work in hotels, and its normally when im sat in a meeting, or training session with the brown nosing oiks i have to mix with. since our brand of hotels seeems to of had a number of attacks over the recent years, weve been having alot of counter security/loss prevention training, and yesterday some more interesting training from a local constabulary, branched under mi5. very interesting stuff, yet again all i could think about is the insignificant contribution im making to the world we live in.
so im thinking about the TA. iv an interview booked for a fortnights time. but before that wondering if any of you fellas have served, or currently are?
im not a nurse, nor an engineer, so im not sure what my contribution could be. i know id like the training. the time asked of you seems perfectly reasonable, yet still not sure if you will be called up for tour, nor what position id play while there.
everyone iv spoke to who is in or have left the forces says do it. iv 3 current friends over in afgan right now. one a royal engineer, the occassional patrol, yet enjoying it all bar the lack of beer. another just gone back for his second tour disarming ied's (6 went over in his team, 4 returned, during contact). And another serving with the RAF police, yet doing regular patrolls (Came home early due to a clean in/out from ak47.
opinions guys?
so iv always had an urge to pursue a career in the armed forces, but i never had the balls, nor think that i could live without the small luxuries i surround myself with. yet the urge is still coming back.
i work in hotels, and its normally when im sat in a meeting, or training session with the brown nosing oiks i have to mix with. since our brand of hotels seeems to of had a number of attacks over the recent years, weve been having alot of counter security/loss prevention training, and yesterday some more interesting training from a local constabulary, branched under mi5. very interesting stuff, yet again all i could think about is the insignificant contribution im making to the world we live in.
so im thinking about the TA. iv an interview booked for a fortnights time. but before that wondering if any of you fellas have served, or currently are?
im not a nurse, nor an engineer, so im not sure what my contribution could be. i know id like the training. the time asked of you seems perfectly reasonable, yet still not sure if you will be called up for tour, nor what position id play while there.
everyone iv spoke to who is in or have left the forces says do it. iv 3 current friends over in afgan right now. one a royal engineer, the occassional patrol, yet enjoying it all bar the lack of beer. another just gone back for his second tour disarming ied's (6 went over in his team, 4 returned, during contact). And another serving with the RAF police, yet doing regular patrolls (Came home early due to a clean in/out from ak47.
opinions guys?
I spent some time in the TA, it was good fun but is also pretty serious now. Not the 'drinking club' it used to be, you WILL go to Afghanistan if you're in for a few years. Don't let that put you off though as you seem to be aware of what's what.
Go on the familiarisation weekend and see how you get on, if you don't like it then leave, it's not for everyone.
Personally I'd recommend the experience
Go on the familiarisation weekend and see how you get on, if you don't like it then leave, it's not for everyone.
Personally I'd recommend the experience
Quit your job and join up full time. Contrary to popular belief, we don't live in 12 man rooms with no central heating or TV! Most Soldiers have more disposal income than a lot of civvies and (apparently!) chicks dog the rig.
On a serious note though, I'd say if you've always had the urge, the TA will give you enough of a taster to either make or break your enthusiasm, especially after an Operational Tour. As for the interview, if you have life experience and at least A-Levels, why not ask about Officer careers..?
On a serious note though, I'd say if you've always had the urge, the TA will give you enough of a taster to either make or break your enthusiasm, especially after an Operational Tour. As for the interview, if you have life experience and at least A-Levels, why not ask about Officer careers..?
I am in the TA at the moment and would say definitely go for it.
The unit you choose to join will determine what you end up doing so don't worry too much about bringing any particular skill, your basic and phase 2 training will teach you what you will need to know.
As MagicalTrevor says, the TA has changed significantly over the last few years and certainly within my unit at the moment the focus is very much on training and preparing to deploy soldiers to support Ops in Afghanistan.
The selection process is now, quite rightly, closely aligned with the regular process and as such can take a significant period of time, up to several months until you have passed phase 1 and 2 training. Once you have passed and are a trained soldier there will very likely be an expectation that you will mobilise and deploy.
If and when you decide you want to go, you will then undergo more training in preparation for mobilisation then once you have mobilised and joined the unit you will deploy with you will take part in their pre deployment training.
Yes it is hard work sometimes, both physically and mentally but its also very rewarding. The sense of achievement after hard weekend or course is great and don't forget the social side, its not all work and no play.
If you have any specific questions feel free to PM.
The unit you choose to join will determine what you end up doing so don't worry too much about bringing any particular skill, your basic and phase 2 training will teach you what you will need to know.
As MagicalTrevor says, the TA has changed significantly over the last few years and certainly within my unit at the moment the focus is very much on training and preparing to deploy soldiers to support Ops in Afghanistan.
The selection process is now, quite rightly, closely aligned with the regular process and as such can take a significant period of time, up to several months until you have passed phase 1 and 2 training. Once you have passed and are a trained soldier there will very likely be an expectation that you will mobilise and deploy.
If and when you decide you want to go, you will then undergo more training in preparation for mobilisation then once you have mobilised and joined the unit you will deploy with you will take part in their pre deployment training.
Yes it is hard work sometimes, both physically and mentally but its also very rewarding. The sense of achievement after hard weekend or course is great and don't forget the social side, its not all work and no play.
If you have any specific questions feel free to PM.
)BermyAndy said:
Had a mate in the TA, went to Afghan, got shot.
It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had a mate, he didnt join the forces, he fell off a ladder and died.It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had another mate, he didnt join the forces, he died in a car accident.
Seriously there is hardly any difference in the chances of being killed at work in the forces to any other trade:
226 Deaths at work LAST YEAR (Not Including Road Traffic Deaths Commuting to/from work)
The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 332 (Including accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries)
Sources:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2003/c03038.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10629358
My point was that the chances of being killed in the military are hardly any different to being killed at work in Civvy Street, especially if you take into account the commuting to/from work, lack of healthy living etc etc.
Suggesting that because one person got shot means you shouldn't do it seemed a bit daft to me....
Suggesting that because one person got shot means you shouldn't do it seemed a bit daft to me....
Petrolhead_Rich said:
BermyAndy said:
Had a mate in the TA, went to Afghan, got shot.
It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had a mate, he didnt join the forces, he fell off a ladder and died.It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had another mate, he didnt join the forces, he died in a car accident.
Seriously there is hardly any difference in the chances of being killed at work in the forces to any other trade:
226 Deaths at work LAST YEAR (Not Including Road Traffic Deaths Commuting to/from work)
The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 332 (Including accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries)
Sources:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2003/c03038.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10629358
BermyAndy said:
Petrolhead_Rich said:
BermyAndy said:
Had a mate in the TA, went to Afghan, got shot.
It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had a mate, he didnt join the forces, he fell off a ladder and died.It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had another mate, he didnt join the forces, he died in a car accident.
Seriously there is hardly any difference in the chances of being killed at work in the forces to any other trade:
226 Deaths at work LAST YEAR (Not Including Road Traffic Deaths Commuting to/from work)
The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 332 (Including accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries)
Sources:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2003/c03038.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10629358
Although I think the OP knows the risks and what is involved, he has friends in the military, and mentioned the 2 who didn't make it back from disarming IED's
The other point being IIRC if you get posted in the TA, your employer MUST maintain your job position for you, so you get the best of both worlds...
& 
Petrolhead_Rich said:
BermyAndy said:
Had a mate in the TA, went to Afghan, got shot.
It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had a mate, he didnt join the forces, he fell off a ladder and died.It is definitely no longer a dad's army affair!
I had another mate, he didnt join the forces, he died in a car accident.
Seriously there is hardly any difference in the chances of being killed at work in the forces to any other trade:
226 Deaths at work LAST YEAR (Not Including Road Traffic Deaths Commuting to/from work)
The number of British military personnel killed on operations in Afghanistan since 2001 stands at 332 (Including accidents, illness, or non-combat injuries)
Sources:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2003/c03038.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10629358
Currently in the armed force = 240,200
Id say your 120 times more likely to get killed in the armed forces than in civvy street.. Rough guess.
Id say dont do it, if you want to put something back how about volunteering as a special or maybe a fireman or for the red cross? Leave Soldiering to the regulars.
Odie said:
Currently employed in the UK = 29million
Currently in the armed force = 240,200
Id say your 120 times more likely to get killed in the armed forces than in civvy street.. Rough guess.
Id say dont do it, if you want to put something back how about volunteering as a special or maybe a fireman or for the red cross? Leave Soldiering to the regulars.
Those were exactly my thoughts.Currently in the armed force = 240,200
Id say your 120 times more likely to get killed in the armed forces than in civvy street.. Rough guess.
Id say dont do it, if you want to put something back how about volunteering as a special or maybe a fireman or for the red cross? Leave Soldiering to the regulars.
you probably know all this but you will be expected to give up at least one night a week and two weekends in the month so consider the time commitments seriously first.
Despite what others have said, overseas deployment is not a given, a lot of TA soldiers join up to go on an ops tour so competition for places is high, if its your reason for joining, then be prepared to work for it.
as for a trade, it really depends what your local branch is. Logistics Corp, Signals, Artillery etc all have many varying roles. you will not be expected to fix a tank, likewise its unlikey you will be a chef...
its worth having a good look around the army web site and seeing what branches there are local and which cap badge takes your fancy. as an example, in bristol there are a few signals TA brances, one comms-centric and i believe the other is intelligence corps, there there is an Artillery battery and I htink there is an Infantry battalion close too.
go for it, push yourself, if you work hard you could get asked to attend sandhurst whilst in the TA - people re always surprised when they find out there are TA Officers! - and who knows what goes on from there. you may get asked to join up.
wouldnt bother with RAF Reserves personally, you will most likely be a loadie, good fun for a day, or in the Regiment...Navy reserves would be worth considering, the navy is a fascinating organisation and a good bunch, 6 months bobbing around the caribbean anyone?....
Despite what others have said, overseas deployment is not a given, a lot of TA soldiers join up to go on an ops tour so competition for places is high, if its your reason for joining, then be prepared to work for it.
as for a trade, it really depends what your local branch is. Logistics Corp, Signals, Artillery etc all have many varying roles. you will not be expected to fix a tank, likewise its unlikey you will be a chef...
its worth having a good look around the army web site and seeing what branches there are local and which cap badge takes your fancy. as an example, in bristol there are a few signals TA brances, one comms-centric and i believe the other is intelligence corps, there there is an Artillery battery and I htink there is an Infantry battalion close too.
go for it, push yourself, if you work hard you could get asked to attend sandhurst whilst in the TA - people re always surprised when they find out there are TA Officers! - and who knows what goes on from there. you may get asked to join up.
wouldnt bother with RAF Reserves personally, you will most likely be a loadie, good fun for a day, or in the Regiment...Navy reserves would be worth considering, the navy is a fascinating organisation and a good bunch, 6 months bobbing around the caribbean anyone?....
Your other option, to contribute to the world you live in as you put it, is something like a disaster relief agency. There are always adverts in the mountain rescue magazine looking for volunteers.
You get to deploy all over the world, you get some very very good specialist training, and it's rewarding (I guess) to be actively seeing the difference you make directly saving peoples lives.
Just to add to your options
You get to deploy all over the world, you get some very very good specialist training, and it's rewarding (I guess) to be actively seeing the difference you make directly saving peoples lives.
Just to add to your options
rhinochopig said:
Your other option, to contribute to the world you live in as you put it, is something like a disaster relief agency. There are always adverts in the mountain rescue magazine looking for volunteers.
You get to deploy all over the world, you get some very very good specialist training, and it's rewarding (I guess) to be actively seeing the difference you make directly saving peoples lives.
Just to add to your options
If I'm going to a war zone, I'd rather have a weapon to protect me, how often do you hear of "Aid Workers kidnapped/killed"???You get to deploy all over the world, you get some very very good specialist training, and it's rewarding (I guess) to be actively seeing the difference you make directly saving peoples lives.
Just to add to your options
Fair point about the numbers involved with the figures, although there are many factors to consider, such as will the OP be on the front-line (Unlikely in the TA!) etc etc..
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