well thank you
alex
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Advice Please?!
I was in the same position as you. I thought of joining the TA whilst I study.
But then I thought that after I study, i'm joining the Army anyway. So I plan to sod the TA, and studying for that matter, and just go for it full-time.
It's not very forward-thinking, but The Army is what I want to do. Why waste years getting qualifications i'll never use?
But then I thought that after I study, i'm joining the Army anyway. So I plan to sod the TA, and studying for that matter, and just go for it full-time.
It's not very forward-thinking, but The Army is what I want to do. Why waste years getting qualifications i'll never use?
I posted this on the TA / OTC page and I still stand by it (and have added to it):
Look, don't even bother with the OTC. Bunch of wanna be officers who do some meaningful trg but you'll cover what you do do at Sandbags anyway.
I commissioned last year and on my trade course we've got an ex RMR bloke, a cracking lad, me, ex int corps for 5 years and also some OTC types. Well, fine but they've not gained anything extra we didn't do at Sandbags. Bit of AT maybe but that's about it
The RMR bloke....nails and a good lad.
Me...spent donkeys doing briefings and using GENFORCE working in all sorts of different HQs and jobs all over the place, including abroad. I held a real NCO rank, got paid more and learnt what it was like to be an NCO. Not to sit around drinking pimms before trying to talk down to soldiers as hppened to me more than once with some OTC punter.
Whatever non-regular unit you go to....TA/reserves is good news. 4 PARA or RMR will test you physically and let you know how far you can push yourself as well as showing you some good soldiering. 21/23....good lads, but you're not used as much as you should be when you're in, you also need to be very committed to it. Int Corps....regs are v understaffed so you'll get used as much as you can give to them. Not everyone's cup of tea as it's not very 'green' in a field soldiering sense. You'll learn shit loads though and be better placed than some staff officers after a couple of years, especially in terms of strategic and operational level warfare.
If you just want to sit on your arse pretending you're in the Army..go OTC. Do a real job mate, get yourself into a unit that'll really teach you something.
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It is true though what has been said by other people. The TA does not now play at soldiers....some units didn't anyway. But as Pasha quite rightly pointed out you will be liable for service. Some units, the Int Corps in particular, try and remain flexible due to the calibre of people they're trying to recruit. If you're a private in the infantry or RLC say I doubt they would make the same effort to accomodate people.
You need to take all this into account. I would say though that my time in the TA whilst at uni has given me a unique specialisation and knowledge that is unrivalled in even some senior officers because I got to turn up, do the job, and miss out on all the faffing about in between whilst working in all sorts of op and trg environments. If you really cannot afford to miss bits of uni then this may not be for you. If you're going to be an officer DEFINITELY get a degree if you have the chance. The pay makes a huge difference as does your promotion UNLESS you join straight out of school. I cannot emphasise that enough.
What ever you do best of luck......It seems a long road but it's all worth it.
Look, don't even bother with the OTC. Bunch of wanna be officers who do some meaningful trg but you'll cover what you do do at Sandbags anyway.
I commissioned last year and on my trade course we've got an ex RMR bloke, a cracking lad, me, ex int corps for 5 years and also some OTC types. Well, fine but they've not gained anything extra we didn't do at Sandbags. Bit of AT maybe but that's about it
The RMR bloke....nails and a good lad.
Me...spent donkeys doing briefings and using GENFORCE working in all sorts of different HQs and jobs all over the place, including abroad. I held a real NCO rank, got paid more and learnt what it was like to be an NCO. Not to sit around drinking pimms before trying to talk down to soldiers as hppened to me more than once with some OTC punter.
Whatever non-regular unit you go to....TA/reserves is good news. 4 PARA or RMR will test you physically and let you know how far you can push yourself as well as showing you some good soldiering. 21/23....good lads, but you're not used as much as you should be when you're in, you also need to be very committed to it. Int Corps....regs are v understaffed so you'll get used as much as you can give to them. Not everyone's cup of tea as it's not very 'green' in a field soldiering sense. You'll learn shit loads though and be better placed than some staff officers after a couple of years, especially in terms of strategic and operational level warfare.
If you just want to sit on your arse pretending you're in the Army..go OTC. Do a real job mate, get yourself into a unit that'll really teach you something.
____________
It is true though what has been said by other people. The TA does not now play at soldiers....some units didn't anyway. But as Pasha quite rightly pointed out you will be liable for service. Some units, the Int Corps in particular, try and remain flexible due to the calibre of people they're trying to recruit. If you're a private in the infantry or RLC say I doubt they would make the same effort to accomodate people.
You need to take all this into account. I would say though that my time in the TA whilst at uni has given me a unique specialisation and knowledge that is unrivalled in even some senior officers because I got to turn up, do the job, and miss out on all the faffing about in between whilst working in all sorts of op and trg environments. If you really cannot afford to miss bits of uni then this may not be for you. If you're going to be an officer DEFINITELY get a degree if you have the chance. The pay makes a huge difference as does your promotion UNLESS you join straight out of school. I cannot emphasise that enough.
What ever you do best of luck......It seems a long road but it's all worth it.
