TA Direct officer entry

[tn201]

Does anyone have any information about this new scheme? The TA website is pretty useless on the subject. Im also interested in timescales, apparently you start your training to be officer straight away now if you want to, do you have to attend the TCB first before you do anything?
Anyone know how long it takes to go from visiting local TA centre to getting a place on TCB?

Thanks. TN

[mercury]

Usually potential officers join as recruits, they then become officer cadets and go down the commisioning route. All the officer cadets I have met are students on a degree course , I know a couple ( at least ) of trips to Sandhurst are involved.


I reckon you are looking at between 12 months to 2 years for your first pip

[chrisfow]

I heard (from a mate in the TA who was looking at being an officer but is now going to Iraq in 8 weeks as a squaddie) that you spend, in total, 2-4 weeks at RAMS, in comparison with 44 weeks for the proper CC.

[df2inaus]

The TA Commissioning Course is 3 weeks long, the Commissioning Course is 42 weeks long. The Gap Year Course is 4 weeks long (SSLC).
Once you're an officer in the TA you can do FTRS, it will take longer to get there though.

Mercury and I were in the same TA Regiment and the officers joined as recruits first.

df2

[AdamR]

As it happens I've got a little flyer here telling me all about it with a nice flow chart of what you do...


Arm or Service Basic Recruit Course(14 days or 6 weekends)

8x Potential Officer Weekend Modules

TA Commissioning Board (2.5 days)

Military Training Qualification No 2 (14 days)

Leadership and Development Course (8 days)

RMA Sandhurst: TA Preparatory Course (7 days)

RMA Sandhurst: TA Commissioning Course (14 days)

Regimental Service Annual Camp (14 days)

Special to Arm or Service Course (14 days)

Quite a hefty commitment in terms of time but worth it in the end if it's what you want.

[tn201]

Cheers for the info. I'm just wondering if its quite up to date. On the website link below it says:

'Officer training:
The new direct entry officer training scheme allows you to commence your officer training right from the very start of your time in the TA. Initial Officer Training is designed to produce officers with the generic qualities to lead soldiers both on and off operations and includes three weeks spent on the TA Commissioning Course at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.'

http://www.ta.mod.uk/officer/training_indepth.html#1

Does this mean that you incorporate the basic training (MTQ1) into an initial officer training course? As i understand it you go into a specialised officer training wing now when you join the TA unit through this new scheme.
Anyone got some more information??

Thanks.

[jlitt]

I'm joining the TA as prep for the regulars next Jan and I will be attending basic with everyone else and hpofully get a TCB booked soon as well as some PO courses