Thanks for the advice.

I was able to remember what others have said to me in person from what you have posted here, for example plots from the IRA of kidnapping TA soliders in the past, checking underneath vehicles at night, keeping DPM out of sight at all times - interesting stuff.

But it seems ...

I want to ask for some advice on the above subject.

As a solider in the TA, do you consider your membership of the Army an issue to keep discreet? Or is it not an issue and you're happy to tell anyone you would like to?

How many people do you tell? And who are they? How much would you say you can ...

Thanks for the replies. That clears that up. Much appreciated.

Hi, I'm a recruit in the TA at the start of my basic training -

I wanted to ask one simple question: What is the butt number of the rifle?

Is the 'butt number' referring to the 'serial number' that starts with an 'A' located on the magazine housing? Are they referring to the same number? Or are ...

Thanks for the insight.

But if you do find yourself unarmed m8, just remember that you'll have a spanner with you at all times which can be quiet painful to the enemy if you hit them with it.

Not so effective for long range attacking though.

What exactly is the contents of your "kit". I presume it includes your uniform, but anything else? I'm excited about signing up I can't wait.

And what ever this includes, how does it work - do you keep it at your home and take it to your unit on each occasion, or is it stored at your unit ready for ...

Just to re-enforce the point Tom made about there being other students in the TA - I'm 21, a final year student of a computing degree, who began his TA application just the other day.

So if everyone looks down at young computing students at University, well then we're both f***ed.

I phoned them in the afternoon, and the interview was in the evening of the same day.

To be honest I can't remember too much about the training procedure, I'll learn more about it as I go and cross that bridge when it comes. For now I've been focusing more on my application.

Yeah moving into the area renting a flat, as I am on the other side of London at the moment.

So I went to see them yesterday (Tuesday). It happened to be a training night as they said, and they invited me to a visit for an interview.

Was good, but a little overwhelming considering I'd never been ...

What do you mean by: 'No-one completes on a property at 8pm on a wednesday!' ?

But I am actually going to call them today because of what you just wrote. I don't know why I didn't pick up on that, to get the ball rolling now even though I'm not in the area considering the long process that you ...

:D Great reply. Thanks Tom for the info.

From what you`ve said about the application process, I`ll be joining then as soon as I can (I`m actually getting a new flat very soon which is what I`m waiting for before I can join).

Interesting programme you have for your fitness activity, seems quiet ...

Hey

Very soon when I'm ready I'll be calling my local TA unit to arrange when I can visit, and most likely soon after I will ask to sign up. I'll just list my questions in bullet form, I hope some of you would be good enough to help me out here.

- My overall fitness, stamina at the moment is poor ...