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. Football used to be my main exercise which I haven't done for a long time. So would I need to start seriously exercising now to regain some fitness 'before' I try to join the TA?
- And since I've mentioned football, what opportunities to play are there in the TA? I've read all the information available about sport in general within the TA, but if someone has some more detailed information on how this works, I'd be very grateful. Surely fitness training is best when you're enjoying it as well, no?
- A leadership role strongly appeals to me. And I think that I could excel in this given the training and experience. However having said that, this might seem silly given that last statement I apologise, but for a few reasons, I don't like the prospect of becoming an Officer. I've read a bit about leadership whilst a Soldier, beginning from the rank of Lance Corporal? I've virtually no information on this - could someone provide some?
- My local TA unit is B Company of the London Regiment (machine gun platoon) within the infantry. I've been wondering, would that necessarily mean that my duties would definetely evolve around operating one of those massive machine guns? Because I'm not the biggest guy in the world, short and quiet slim actually, and having the fitness I was always very agile and quick - I imagined myself armed with a rifle, do you think because of my TA unit this probably wouldn't happen? (a question I will be asking them directly when I join in about a month's time of course, but I'd be grateful for the available information in the meantime).
So those are the questions that I'd like to ask if anyone has a few minutes to enlighten me. But I also want to include, some of those reasons that I mentioned that I had for not wanting to join as an Officer, so I could get some feedback on that too should anyone be interested in providing some.
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As a civilian right now despite the thorough reading and exploring, really at the end of the day of course I know absolutely nothing of the TA. So I'm not submitting a view here, but preliminary thinking which I'd like to know is either shared by some or completely invalidated and thrown out the window by all. Here goes:
If I was to become an Officer in the TA, some in the outside world within civilian life, might achknowledge that as an excellent thing for the reasons we know that it would be. However others would see it as - "army brat who loves playing soldiers with nothing better to do, no social life, just an army wannabe who's going to be a real gimp to try to converse with". Officers in the 'regular' army I'd never include in this, but it's just the thought of a part-time solider trying to do as much as possible without the balls or the right qualities to actually do it properly in the regular 'proper' army.
Does anyone think that this is a likely perception that many others in the civilian world might take? I'm not the type who would really give a s**t about this sort of thing, but I wouldn't want to have to go through a marathon conversation explaining the opposite on every occasion I need to introduce or promote myself either, whether that be a potential employer or simply a new friend (or of course, a new girlfriend).
I'd love to hear from as many people as possible about what their response to that would be. But I'd like to finish by also giving another reason why I would prefer leadership within a soldier's capacity instead, which again I'd like to invite feedback on, is that in general, (another pre-conception:) an army leader in charge of a smaller group of soldiers is more in-tune with those people and can therefore do more for them, as opposed to someone who is in charge of 30+ soldiers not in contact with many of them on a one-to-one basis. So there are a couple of my pre-conceptions that I'd really like to see processed. What do you think?
Thanks for your time.
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Planning to Join TA (some questions)
Hello,
Phew... and breathe.
1. Dont delay for fitness - apply and then work on fitness. You could walk through the door this week, and not go on your first weekend until the Autumn, there is a lot of paperwork to do first, a medical etc.
You can get advice from the resident PTI on fitness. I am completing my recruit weekends now, and run 10k twice a week cross country and do a short fast run once a week, and do sets of push ups and situps while watching telly etc! Not too strenuous, but running 3 times a week is ideal, a short run (1-2 miles) and a couple of longer runs (5-7 miles) is advised in the bumf I got given. You will find many people dont though. The fitter you are the easier it is. People brick themselves over the PT on the programme its easier just to get fit, and then you dont have to worry about it! But dont delay your app. It takes flocking ages to "get in". If you are healthy you should pass the medical.
2. Commission. If you're suitable your unit may approach you about it. Obviously you can express an interest in it. You would attend potential officer weekends, and then go on your recruit training as a TAPO, which means you are expected to show leadership during your recruit training. A difficult thing to do when you're learning the ropes yourself, and even more difficult to make other recruits who see themselves as your peers understand that too! My unit approached me - I dont think its appropriate to even think about until finishing recruit training. Plus I dont really know what that would involve yet, committment, role etc. I think I may prefer life as a gunner.
3. What other people think? I dont tell anyone I dont have to. You will never make a fat coont civi understand that its not playing soldiers! Especially one who finds you intimidating due to Dr Johnsons maxim.
Some A.R.A.Bs will give you stick too. Fork them. Do it for yourself, and fork your employer and what they may or may not like about it!
Good luck. Go in this week, and report back.
Tom
PS. Loads of opportunities to play footy! And loads of other sports.
Phew... and breathe.
1. Dont delay for fitness - apply and then work on fitness. You could walk through the door this week, and not go on your first weekend until the Autumn, there is a lot of paperwork to do first, a medical etc.
You can get advice from the resident PTI on fitness. I am completing my recruit weekends now, and run 10k twice a week cross country and do a short fast run once a week, and do sets of push ups and situps while watching telly etc! Not too strenuous, but running 3 times a week is ideal, a short run (1-2 miles) and a couple of longer runs (5-7 miles) is advised in the bumf I got given. You will find many people dont though. The fitter you are the easier it is. People brick themselves over the PT on the programme its easier just to get fit, and then you dont have to worry about it! But dont delay your app. It takes flocking ages to "get in". If you are healthy you should pass the medical.
2. Commission. If you're suitable your unit may approach you about it. Obviously you can express an interest in it. You would attend potential officer weekends, and then go on your recruit training as a TAPO, which means you are expected to show leadership during your recruit training. A difficult thing to do when you're learning the ropes yourself, and even more difficult to make other recruits who see themselves as your peers understand that too! My unit approached me - I dont think its appropriate to even think about until finishing recruit training. Plus I dont really know what that would involve yet, committment, role etc. I think I may prefer life as a gunner.
3. What other people think? I dont tell anyone I dont have to. You will never make a fat coont civi understand that its not playing soldiers! Especially one who finds you intimidating due to Dr Johnsons maxim.
Some A.R.A.Bs will give you stick too. Fork them. Do it for yourself, and fork your employer and what they may or may not like about it!
Good luck. Go in this week, and report back.
Tom
PS. Loads of opportunities to play footy! And loads of other sports.
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 intense too. If I tried that in my current state I`d be lucky if I didn`t pass out. But hopefully I`ll be able to match that very soon
And I take your point about commisioning - not to think about it until after basic training. I`ll look into it at a later stage when I`ll also know more about it.
Thanks again.
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Scooby
- Guest
By the way A.R.A.B isnt a racial reference! Its Arrogant Regular Army B4stard! An affectionate retort to S.T.A.B Stupid Territorial Army B4stard! All obviously now redundant now we are "one army" 
Commissioning - I think it is more sensible and less presumptuous to look into it after basic, there is an argument of course that by doing it at entry you are throwing yourself in at the deep at end, and taking the bull by the horns, which theoretically shows more leadership and courage I suppose. Up to you. That said I think a few TAPOs thought they'd be sipping G&Ts and reading the Telegraph rather than mixing it with us recruits in their initial training!!
Forget the flat! No-one completes on a property at 8pm on a wednesday! Seriously, it s a good idea to get the paper work out of the way, and get a medical booked in ASAP, can all take ages.
Commissioning - I think it is more sensible and less presumptuous to look into it after basic, there is an argument of course that by doing it at entry you are throwing yourself in at the deep at end, and taking the bull by the horns, which theoretically shows more leadership and courage I suppose. Up to you. That said I think a few TAPOs thought they'd be sipping G&Ts and reading the Telegraph rather than mixing it with us recruits in their initial training!!
Forget the flat! No-one completes on a property at 8pm on a wednesday! Seriously, it s a good idea to get the paper work out of the way, and get a medical booked in ASAP, can all take ages.
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 described (I can easily travel up there and back from where I am now in the meantime).
And I happened to notice the ARAB/STAB lingo on another thread where I got the very first of my basic training, hehe
But I want to know what 'TAPO' stands for - TA officer of some kind I get, but the 'P'?
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 described (I can easily travel up there and back from where I am now in the meantime).
And I happened to notice the ARAB/STAB lingo on another thread where I got the very first of my basic training, hehe
But I want to know what 'TAPO' stands for - TA officer of some kind I get, but the 'P'?
Hello,
I misunderstood I thought you meant you were buying a flat and the stress of that was delaying your application! I didnt realise you meant that you were not in close proximity to your unit.
Good luck, when you start your training its well worth obtaining an additional water bottle, either from stores or ebay!
I misunderstood I thought you meant you were buying a flat and the stress of that was delaying your application! I didnt realise you meant that you were not in close proximity to your unit.
Good luck, when you start your training its well worth obtaining an additional water bottle, either from stores or ebay!
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 into a place like that before. Just seeing a few guys in the uniform standing outside the recruit's room where I was waiting, discussing training schedules, that alone interestingly made me more in-tune of what I was signing up to. By the end I met those guys, as they gave me a tour of the place. The others were all together in a room in the middle of theory physical training. It does look good I have to say, a few dozen soldiers sitting at desks all in uniform, such a clear symbol of discipline.
During the actual interview with a Corporal, I received the introduction, asked a few questions, and now I've got to fill in the formal application form and provide some extra information such as my medical history (vacinations), and go back next week to submit it.
They said, subject to the medical, that the earliest I would start my training - would be the end of June, which I'm happy with considering I'd prefer to have some time to setup my new home before I start.
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 into a place like that before. Just seeing a few guys in the uniform standing outside the recruit's room where I was waiting, discussing training schedules, that alone interestingly made me more in-tune of what I was signing up to. By the end I met those guys, as they gave me a tour of the place. The others were all together in a room in the middle of theory physical training. It does look good I have to say, a few dozen soldiers sitting at desks all in uniform, such a clear symbol of discipline.
During the actual interview with a Corporal, I received the introduction, asked a few questions, and now I've got to fill in the formal application form and provide some extra information such as my medical history (vacinations), and go back next week to submit it.
They said, subject to the medical, that the earliest I would start my training - would be the end of June, which I'm happy with considering I'd prefer to have some time to setup my new home before I start.
sounds strenuous, no I know what you mean, training plans, injury advice, diet etc etc. Cool. Commission ? 
Better to undertake your basic training first.
However on formal interview with your Pln.
officer indicate an interest. Possibly even the
Adjt. might be better. You will soon note if they
register.
Prior to joining RM, I was a reservist for 2 years.
I joined up and did not apply for a commission
but after basic was instructed by my Sgt and finally
the RSM to apply. The rest is history.
Good luck either way.
Chas.
RM & Queen's 6/7(V)HSF officer.
Better to undertake your basic training first.
However on formal interview with your Pln.
officer indicate an interest. Possibly even the
Adjt. might be better. You will soon note if they
register.
Prior to joining RM, I was a reservist for 2 years.
I joined up and did not apply for a commission
but after basic was instructed by my Sgt and finally
the RSM to apply. The rest is history.
Good luck either way.
Chas.
RM & Queen's 6/7(V)HSF officer.
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Worthers Original
- Member
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- Joined: Sun 22 Feb, 2004 5:48 pm
- Location: London
They invited you for a visit and interview at another time or that evening?cmendes11 wrote: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.
What did they tell you about training? Did they say there is a two week alternative to the 9 weekends for Phase 1?
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Leslie-RMLY-
- Member
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Tue 08 May, 2007 3:09 pm
- Location: Bolton
Hiya matey
The way it works is you go down have your induction were they will tell you what there all about. They will give you a bumf of paperwork at this time. Fill it out asap sooner you get it sorted the better.
You then get a medical which is just a basic thing nothing to worry bout unless you have a wooden leg hehe
After this you normally get sized up and once you have all your paperwork in you will then be atested. This is basicly swearing you self to queen and country.
After this you will should receive you kit. Sometimes comes in 2 parts but if you lucky will come in a oner. Your RRTT staff should then get you booked on and RTC ( recruit training coarse ). This is a series of 6 weekends normally 1 weekend in 1 off depends on the reg/brg. On these weekends you will learn alot of basic skills from fitness to CBRN (nbc) and from skill at arms to map reading and first aid. These a pretty easy so dont worry to much.
After you have completed the RTC you will then get booked on to a ATR/CMSR which is a 2 week basic training coarse were you will put all you skills into practice and learn new ones. This is normally more strict as it is run by regs were the RTC weekends are TA run so be on the ball at all times.
Once you have completed the ATR/CMSR you will have a pass out parade and when you get back to your unit you will be a fully fledged TA soldier.
The entire process can be as quick a 6 months dependant on the RRTT training staff at your unit however some drag there feet and sometimes it can be upto 12 months.
Anyway there you go start to finish lol
I only no all this coz im part if the RRTT team at my Unit
The way it works is you go down have your induction were they will tell you what there all about. They will give you a bumf of paperwork at this time. Fill it out asap sooner you get it sorted the better.
You then get a medical which is just a basic thing nothing to worry bout unless you have a wooden leg hehe
After this you normally get sized up and once you have all your paperwork in you will then be atested. This is basicly swearing you self to queen and country.
After this you will should receive you kit. Sometimes comes in 2 parts but if you lucky will come in a oner. Your RRTT staff should then get you booked on and RTC ( recruit training coarse ). This is a series of 6 weekends normally 1 weekend in 1 off depends on the reg/brg. On these weekends you will learn alot of basic skills from fitness to CBRN (nbc) and from skill at arms to map reading and first aid. These a pretty easy so dont worry to much.
After you have completed the RTC you will then get booked on to a ATR/CMSR which is a 2 week basic training coarse were you will put all you skills into practice and learn new ones. This is normally more strict as it is run by regs were the RTC weekends are TA run so be on the ball at all times.
Once you have completed the ATR/CMSR you will have a pass out parade and when you get back to your unit you will be a fully fledged TA soldier.
The entire process can be as quick a 6 months dependant on the RRTT training staff at your unit however some drag there feet and sometimes it can be upto 12 months.
Anyway there you go start to finish lol
I only no all this coz im part if the RRTT team at my Unit
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 you when you come in?
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 you when you come in?
Last edited by cmendes11 on Wed 30 May, 2007 12:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
