Thinking of joining the Welsh Transport Regiment (TA)
Discussion
Afternoon chaps/chapettes,
As the title suggests, I'm contemplating joining the above. Now this is all very preliminary stuff as I'm not sure of workload/time requirements etc (this is what I'm trying to find out). The unit I'm looking in to supports the transport capability of 3rd Logistic Support Regiment, I'd be interested in becoming a mechanic in the unit. What I need to know is:
what will be the requirements of me from the unit? I work 9-5 with no/very little weekend shifts through out the year. I am however planning my wedding in June 2012 and Amy I'm sure would not be impressed if I was being shot at in a different country on my wedding day.
Will I be able to fit the TA around my work life? I have quite a demanding job as an Insurance Trainer, I need to be alert for my work and have a consistent approach week in week out. Can I balance work and the TA?
Reading up on this it appears that some units require 19-27 days work through out the year which seems reasonable. Can this be given on weekends or do I need to factor in annual leave. I currently get 25 days A/L.
From the questions above I'm sure you get a feeling for the type of information I'm after. I understand the TA will be demanding and I feel like giving myself a challenge and from some recent conversations I feel this may fit what I'm after. I'm 29, am physically fit with no medical conditions. I'm planning on visiting Maindy Barracks in Cardiff on Wednesday to get more information but I'd like to get as much info as possible and be somewhat informed before I go.
The first response I got from my OC forum was "well if your having all these doubts about it i dont think the TA is what your after tbh" I have no doubts I am simply trying to amass enough information in order to make an informed decision (which includes speaking to officials on Wednesday)
Thanks all in advance
Gruntbob squaddiepants
As the title suggests, I'm contemplating joining the above. Now this is all very preliminary stuff as I'm not sure of workload/time requirements etc (this is what I'm trying to find out). The unit I'm looking in to supports the transport capability of 3rd Logistic Support Regiment, I'd be interested in becoming a mechanic in the unit. What I need to know is:
what will be the requirements of me from the unit? I work 9-5 with no/very little weekend shifts through out the year. I am however planning my wedding in June 2012 and Amy I'm sure would not be impressed if I was being shot at in a different country on my wedding day.
Will I be able to fit the TA around my work life? I have quite a demanding job as an Insurance Trainer, I need to be alert for my work and have a consistent approach week in week out. Can I balance work and the TA?
Reading up on this it appears that some units require 19-27 days work through out the year which seems reasonable. Can this be given on weekends or do I need to factor in annual leave. I currently get 25 days A/L.
From the questions above I'm sure you get a feeling for the type of information I'm after. I understand the TA will be demanding and I feel like giving myself a challenge and from some recent conversations I feel this may fit what I'm after. I'm 29, am physically fit with no medical conditions. I'm planning on visiting Maindy Barracks in Cardiff on Wednesday to get more information but I'd like to get as much info as possible and be somewhat informed before I go.
The first response I got from my OC forum was "well if your having all these doubts about it i dont think the TA is what your after tbh" I have no doubts I am simply trying to amass enough information in order to make an informed decision (which includes speaking to officials on Wednesday)
Thanks all in advance
Gruntbob squaddiepants
Will they let you drive an ambiwlans?
If you join now, there's no way on earth you will be deployed anywhere at the time of your wedding day, so I wouldn't worry about that. However, the TA isn't the uniformed drinking club it used to be, so you may well be deployed at some time in the future.
You seem to have the right attitude and know a lot of the information already. The best thing you can do is go along and see if you like it.
If you join now, there's no way on earth you will be deployed anywhere at the time of your wedding day, so I wouldn't worry about that. However, the TA isn't the uniformed drinking club it used to be, so you may well be deployed at some time in the future.
You seem to have the right attitude and know a lot of the information already. The best thing you can do is go along and see if you like it.
Thanks Bruce, good to know I won't be called before the big day. I'm happy to be deployed, just as long as I get a honeymoon 
It appears my job is safeguarded however I'm unsure my boss would be over the moon with the prospect of loosing me for extended periods of time. I'll of course factor this in when researching the proposal.
Six Fiend - It was bound to happen, well done for being the first (god bless JTW)
It appears my job is safeguarded however I'm unsure my boss would be over the moon with the prospect of loosing me for extended periods of time. I'll of course factor this in when researching the proposal.
Six Fiend - It was bound to happen, well done for being the first (god bless JTW)
chopperR said:
Go to your local Army Careers Information Office. They're more likely to know the answers to your question than a car website...
Thanks Chopper - just the sort of input I don't need. Do you not think that out of the huge member base that we have there may be some who have experience/information/recommendations pertinent to the question? - Please take that as a rhetorical question. Edited by squareflops on Sunday 21st November 18:32
If you join the TA you cannot be mobilised unless you volunteer, the paper work looks exactly the same, your employer would be unaware you had volunteered unless you told them.
The TA has 2 very different structures, local units meet every week, can often be way 1 weekend a month and have a 2 week camp. National units have a minimum requirement of 19 days per year. This is typically made up of 2 weekends (arrive friday night, leave Sunday afternoon) and a 2 week camp\training course.
National units can make the work life balance easier but can mean more travelling, however your travel costs are reimbursed.
During your training (if you join a national unit) you will need to attend 2 weekends to learn basics (how to move around a camp and to ensure you can dress yourself!). A 10 day course teaches you basic soldiering and weapons handling. This is a pass\fail course and should you fail to meet the required standard you would have to repeat sections that you failed. The second course is 14 days and builds on your first course building up to a field exercise. Again you can fail at any point, if you do you would watch from the sidelines as your colleagues march off the parade square.
Please be aware that the course is physically demanding and the physical training instructors (PTI's) will push you. The basic test is a 1.5 mile run in under 10 minutes 30 seconds, 50 (ish) press ups in 2 minute and 60 (ish) sit ups in 2 minutes (sorry for the ish but I'm a little rusty).
Good luck if you decide to go for it and remember your sense of humour.
The TA has 2 very different structures, local units meet every week, can often be way 1 weekend a month and have a 2 week camp. National units have a minimum requirement of 19 days per year. This is typically made up of 2 weekends (arrive friday night, leave Sunday afternoon) and a 2 week camp\training course.
National units can make the work life balance easier but can mean more travelling, however your travel costs are reimbursed.
During your training (if you join a national unit) you will need to attend 2 weekends to learn basics (how to move around a camp and to ensure you can dress yourself!). A 10 day course teaches you basic soldiering and weapons handling. This is a pass\fail course and should you fail to meet the required standard you would have to repeat sections that you failed. The second course is 14 days and builds on your first course building up to a field exercise. Again you can fail at any point, if you do you would watch from the sidelines as your colleagues march off the parade square.
Please be aware that the course is physically demanding and the physical training instructors (PTI's) will push you. The basic test is a 1.5 mile run in under 10 minutes 30 seconds, 50 (ish) press ups in 2 minute and 60 (ish) sit ups in 2 minutes (sorry for the ish but I'm a little rusty).
Good luck if you decide to go for it and remember your sense of humour.
Thank you Mr Cat, that's excellent info, i'll have a re read to digest all that, then time myself on a 1.5 mile run 
Good to know about the paperwork re volunteering also. A national unit sounds potentially the way forward. Tbh the physical aspect shouldn't be too much of a strain as I'm pretty active most of the time. Challenge on..
Good to know about the paperwork re volunteering also. A national unit sounds potentially the way forward. Tbh the physical aspect shouldn't be too much of a strain as I'm pretty active most of the time. Challenge on..
squareflops said:
chopperR said:
Go to your local Army Careers Information Office. They're more likely to know the answers to your question than a car website...
Thanks Chopper - just the sort of input I don't need. Do you not think that out of the huge member base that we have there may be some who have experience/information/recommendations pertinent to the question? - Please take that as a rhetorical question. Edited by squareflops on Sunday 21st November 18:32
Given the role of the TA has changed and the way it is used is different to, say, 6 years ago you may well get experience/information and recommendations but some of this maybe outdated in both fact and opinion. As it happens, you seem to have some decent info above.
That said. I maintain you should probably go to an AFCO or ACIO before signing up as they WILL be able to give up to the minute info and probably sort you out with an insight to the Regiment or at least a good contact there to go and see what it's all about.
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