Personal Security

[cmendes11]

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 talk about it in public? And where should you not talk about it?

I'm very aware of information that I cannot, and will not, reveal like details of Army operations obviously - I'm referring only to the simple fact that you are a solider in the reserves of the British Army.

Any advice provided will be much appreciated.

[Tab]

Just what do you see the problem to be, do you envisage hordes of Muslims descending on to your house to behead you and your family for being a infidel invader.

[RA_Tom]

Hey up,

I am in the TA. Tend to keep it to myself. My neighbour saw me in DPM coming back from a weekend and I told her I'd been bird watching!

My close mates and family know... my employer should know but doesn't I have filled in all the details, the PSI should have broken the news! Am working my notice anyway and plan to tell my new boss when my probabtion period is up!! As I want them to potentially support me for a deployment and maybe give me some unpaid leave for training so I dont have to go on 'green holidays' all flocking year!
I keep it quiet because there are too many fat civvis with even fatter gobs who are only too keen to criticise with no understanding of what the TA is actually all about. And also because there is a small security risk... there have been plots to kidnap soldiers before, and a Brit Soldier is a Brit Soldier when shown on Al-jazeera tv... I can still remember (only in 2001) when you were supposed to keep it quiet and even iron your uniform with the curtains shut to keep it a secret! And when the underneath of your car would be checked on drill nights.

[TA_Padre]

I don't keep it a secret (after all I do services which are extremely public) but there is a difference between disclosure and the wonderful world of Walt!

Share the fact in a matter of fact way and perhaps you will aid our recruiting campaign. Make it an everyday part of your life and you will be O.K. and so will others. Blow it up, pose and tell war stories and you'll be a PITA for all and every!

As RA_T says, for I too remember the PIRA days and the mirror under the car and the like, things are better, but defensive parking, caution and awareness are always a consideration for all BF personnel.

Just use your bonce and don't take a short-cut through an Islamic parade wearing C95 (like what I did once!) and you'll live to be a barstool hero!

have a happy Tuesday people

[Tartan_Terrier]

I'm not in the UK, so it's perhaps not quite the same for me, but I'm perfectly happy to be seen as a part-time soldier.

In my opinion as long as you look the part (i.e. are properly dressed, clean shaven etc.) and are conducting yourself as a soldier should, then you are doing your bit for KAPE (Keeping the Army in the Public Eye).

Regards
T_T

[cmendes11]

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 clear to me now that these practices are really of the past.

My manner has been the same as someone posted above, i.e. close friends, family and employer knows about it - but very, very few others.


But I do have another question considering what someone wrote about informing their employer after their "probation period" - I assume that you did not disclose your membership of the TA before you got the job?

The reason why I ask is because I'm actually in between jobs at the moment, and have been wondering about this very point. Do I tell them as part of my application, or do I tell them after I've been given the job?

Thanks.

[Hands on]

I tell the people who need to know family, work and close friends. When I did basic training we did get told about security risk stuff like watch who you tell, don't walk around In rig when In civi street and believe or not becarfull of hanging out your DPM on the washing line to dry.

I tend not to tell to many people I don't really know as you usually get well It's not the real army Is It, do you get a rifle. I just get fed up of explaining It.