I am a US soldier in the National Guard (similar to TA) and I will be participating in an exchange program at the end of September. I am just trying to prepare myself properly by researching the customs and courtesies used. I have been in for 7 years and hold the rank of SGT/E-5 (similar to Corpral ...

Chad tattoos are positively encouraged.

Hi,

Probably a medical.
Then you should be able to start doing some training nights.
The recruitment team will have to book you on to centralised recruit training, this can be a few weeks or months depending.

This will be weekend training, I think 6-7 weekends in total, then a two week course ...

1.5 mile is low enough intensity that you can do it every day to improve.
If you're too heavy alternate with longer runs at a slower pace.

Remember you're supposed to run it as fast as you can, so you're ready to drop at the end, you should be puffing and sweating, not cruising round.

its only 9 ...

Hope this isn't too late for you! You were hopefully posting nice and early?

Extra kit:

Half decent socks a couple of really nice pairs, bridgedale summits are my faves. Save these for 'TABbing' on the course.

Bungees 6, green or black. Tent pegs.

A couple of extra pairs of combat 95 shirts and ...

Hi,

Ref, 6 months off for the TA.

I know some cap badges have asked their blokes to resign and reenlist, some are unaffected, some reducing training, some not paying for drill nights. Call your prospective unit and ask them what the score is.

For those canning it for six months, they will lose a ...

Hi,

Debt if very high can be an issue for all service personnel, the thinking being it could leave you susceptible to bribery etc! (you'll see a video on it, honestly!) Doubtful your credit history will cause you a problem.

Good observation on fitness. Running 3 times a week, 3 or 4 miles would ...

Hi,

No mate its £74 a day.

For a sergeant! Which as a recruiter he probably is.

http://www.armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits/pay/Pages/TerritorialArmy(TA).aspx

Soldiers are always compulsory mobilized. However that effectively means volunteers can turn round to their civvy bosses and say. "sorry, its ...

best tip for getting your mile and a half down...

Mark a route 1.2 km and turn back on yourself. Run the first 'half' at the speed you want so... 5 mins 15 sec for example, then take a short rest and try and repeat on the way back. Then reduce the rest time, keep the first half the same pace and ...

No probs.

Aim for 8 min miles i.e that 4 miler in 32 mins and you're laughing.
Remember post recruit you'll need to be under 10 min 30, i.e less than 7 mins per mile.

The fitter you are, the easier it is. But the build up should be progressive at your unit. As a TA soldier you have to beast ...

Oh brilliant thanks for the info.

Just worried about my current job as i have a young family and loads of bills to pay.

Do you know what the fitness test involves. Ive heard different distances of running some say 4 another 8, just so i know what level of fitness i have to be.

Thanks again ...

Arundel park is a good place for west sussex running, nice big hill. One lap is about 5 miles, there is a 10k route if you incorporate a little dogleg, google it.

I tried this on the Para section this morning though haven't exactly been innundated so far.

Here goes: would anyone like a penpal?
I'm a friendly, affable girl more than happy to write to a marine. :D

Put an ad in Soldier Magazine (for Soldiers!) www.soldiermagazine.co.uk
email hshekyls ...

tomovyick wrote:by the way im not gay

He's not gay. It's his boyfriend I'm worried about.

Isn't it 44lbs with water and weapon?

yup, 35lb + 9lb (weapon) 1 litre of water is 2lb about.... anyway, not 60lb just got got to the whingey assault engineer course! bit. Am sick of reading how debilitating being 31 is too! Apparently it stops you doing any courses of a physical nature and makes ...