Identity crisis with the TA

[rellim]

I am in the process of Joining the TA

Although silly as this may sound I have a slight identity crisis emerging. I know that once you have finished the training you are a fully trained soldier..etc but working on the basis of at the end of it I will not have done regular basic training which converts a civilian to military. Doesn't this mean I will still be a civlian at the end of it. I have been told that once you are on an operational tour you are no longer a civilian. But I am having trouble with this concept as like I said the 12 weeks that is needed for this transformation to take place will not have happened. therefore I might struggle with the idea of ever considering myself a non-civilian. I am too old to join the regs (coming up for 30) although wish I had done it sooner. Is there anyway to do the 12 week basic and then become a TA soldier afterwards? Or is it the best you can hope for is doing 2 2 week courses (phase 1 and phase 2)?

[Ploggers]

In simple terms my understanding is as follows;

As a TA soldier, you are a civilian but as you say a trained soldier. Once you are mobilised, and you will be, you are at that point no longer a civilian. You agree to this when you sign on the dotted line. That said, I think you are subject to military law from the moment you become a TA soldier, trained or untrained.

Onto training; there is no reason that you cannot attain the competency of a regular, a part time solder is never going to achieve RM/Para/teeth arms levels of skill but you could certainly become a good soldier. It's a question of skills and drills, should you attend as often as you can and immerse yourself in the training and go on all the courses you could become better than some regulars.

I'm not sure about the specifics of whether you can do this or that but the training is certainly available.

[lew]

TA you are a part time soldier. i.e. when there on parade nights, away for training courses, weekends etc you are subject to military law. when in"civi street" you are subject to civilian law, however you will also be expected to behave yourself and not get into trouble or it will come around and bite you in the ass when on parade night.

In short your both.


lew

[mercury]

Weekend warrior

[rellim]

are you kidding mercury or serious?

[lew]

Weekend warrior

I prefer SAS = Saturday And Sundays

lew

[mercury]

Rellim mate .

If you jin the regs and do 12 weeks basic and leave you would then have to join the TA and do all the training again

Plus that wait for the paperwork to come from Glasgow

We had one guy in the TA for a couple of years , joined the regs , didnt like it so he left last year

Still waiting for paper work

The easiest way into the TA is to join and do all the bollocks that go with it

It really isnt that hard really

[Grimey Vibes]

I was going to join the TA but then i didnt want to be known as a weekend warrior and the Captain was way too pushy for me join, booking me in for medicals and the like when all i was supposed to be doing was an information evening, sod that one and i went for the full army instead where it moves along much slower than i had expected. It has given me more time to think about what i am getting myself in for and i can't wait for it all to start proper. Not the TA, Basic Training for the paras

[rellim]

I hear what you're saying fellas, but I can't join the regs as I'm too old now, what a pisser!

All my family were in the regs and this is definitely something I've got to do.

I'm just wondering if there is anything in place for a potential TA recruit to do the 12 weeks reg training and then transfer into the TA without having left/joined the regs but with the full intenion of becoming a part timer.

The thing that I'm struggling with is the fact that 2 weeks basic for TA and 12 weeks basic for reg

Even though when in the field on an op you are no longer a civilian does 2 weeks basic really equate to losing that civilian status?

[martin1001]

Join the RAF or the royal navy - the age limitations are set differently, in the Navy you can join as a sailor upto the age of 32 and trades in the army go upto the age of 29! Raf is the same!

[Wings]

The training in the TA is longer than 2 weeks, you do your "drill" evenings every week and exercises every other weekend. You then do your two week camp to be tested on everything you have learned previous. So your basic training would probably take longer than 12 weeks all together.

I think thats how it works anyway. Hope this helps



Wings

[mercury]

It can take as long as you want mate ,best person to talk to is someone who knows what they are talking about and not some bullshitty tit with 11 posts to his/her name

[lew]

rellim.

Training length does as mercury rightly said; it takes as long as you want it to take. It also depends on what regiment or corps you join. They all have different structures and methods of training recruits, be they phase 1 & 2 courses, gap weekends, a residential at ATR's etc, do you get the picture?

You will invariably not be trained to the same standard as the regulars as the training staff only have a very short period of time to teach you a vast number of things. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot achieve a good level of soldiering if you put in the hours and work hard.

I would also advise you to think carefully as to whether joining is actually right for you (financial reasons family responsibilities), as you will most certainly be called upon to do a tour of duty.

If you have anymore questions PM me and I will try to answer them as best I can, failing that I’ll direct you to the website at the bottom of the post, it is another forum like this one, but its primarily for TA/RMR/RAUF. These guys may be able to help you as well.

All the best in your decision.
lew

http://www.reserveforces.co.uk

[rellim]

All sounds like good info and advice , thanks a lot gents.

[Scouse G]

Rellim ,
Get yourself down to your local Tac and have a word with the Coy/SQn RRTT(Regimental Recruit Training Team) they have ALL the information you need and more , there is now in place a schemme called TAFS(T.A.foundation scheme) where by you haveto complete or reach certian levels over your Phase 1 training which in my Batt is every other Week end for twelve weeks then you go onto a 2 week CIC (combat infantryman course)or trade course for non infantry. by the end of the phase 2 training I can guarantee that this conception that you are not a soldier will well and truly be thrown out of the window if you are having any probs or just want to ask any Questions PM me I am on my Coy RRTT if I dont know the Answer I will certainly Find out for you
Cheers
Scouse G