Originally id always wanted to join the RM but ive decided i want to join the police instead.
Im starting uni in a couple of weeks and for a long time ive been thinking of joining the TA so that i can at least say i had a go at it.
My nearest unit is a signals unit but ive heard some negative stuff about the signals in genral and ive been looking at joining an infantry unit anyway, the nearest one is the RGJ's in south london i think which is a bit of a trek but if im gonna do it i might as well do it right! The other option was 4 para in london - what sort of fitness levels do they really expect of you?
Looking through the forum its answered most of my questions....
but if anyone would be so kind as to have a go at these it would be much appreciated.
1. What happens on parade night at an infantry and signals unit? whats the main difference?
2. in a signals unit can you just train as a normal soldier or do you have to specialise? the electrical side of things doesnt interest me at all. (the signals are 15mins down the road where as the infantry are more like 45mins-1hour away,if i could do an infantry like job at the signals then that would be great, but im more than happy to travel if need be)
3. id definately want to be posted somewehre after i finish uni, which unit would be more likely to send someone thats been there for 3 years doing an average amount of training? (uni and my part time job and other stuff means i wont be able to do every single day possible but ill do as much as i can)
thanks for any help
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Joining the reserves
Have you thought about the RMR? There is a Detachment in Bermondsey. It'll require a little more of your time and a lot more of your energy but it'll be worth it. I did about half the basic training with RMR but came out and decided to leave it for a while, as much as I wanted it, I wasn't ready for it. I'm just now starting with a TA unit in Pompy to get some military experience while I finish Uni. It's an infantry unit and although they are good and I’m not complaining but I do notice the difference between TA and RMR in a number of areas, namely fitness, discipline and syllabus (i.e. the RMR will teach you more and will teach it better, partly because they have more time and a higher standard to addear to). It's another option for you to think about.
I don't know anything about it but 4 Para will probably be similar to RMR except they do 8 weekends and a 2 week CIC/P coy followed by 2 week TA jumps courses, RMR training takes on average of 18 Months of weekends and two week courses, however it has been known to take a lot longer than this.
End of the day its down to what commitments you can make, what you are prepared to work for and what you want to get out of it. It will be good whatever you do but it's still a big decision, one that I’ve had to make myself.
With regards drill nights, during basic training you’ll generally learn on the drill nights what you will cover on the next weekend, i.e. weapons handling, map reading, NBC, first aid, etc. The RMR drill nights usually consisted of an hour of lectures or lessons on whatever, followed by an hour of Phys at the end of which we were usually bleeding out of our eyes and blowing chunks everywhere. From what I’ve seen of the TA so far it’s mostly all lessons and lectures and occasionally a bit of Phys.
There really is loads of info on the forums about both, if not the rest of the web.
Sorry I havn't been able to answer all your questions, some one will i'm sure...
Best of Luck,
JZ.
I don't know anything about it but 4 Para will probably be similar to RMR except they do 8 weekends and a 2 week CIC/P coy followed by 2 week TA jumps courses, RMR training takes on average of 18 Months of weekends and two week courses, however it has been known to take a lot longer than this.
End of the day its down to what commitments you can make, what you are prepared to work for and what you want to get out of it. It will be good whatever you do but it's still a big decision, one that I’ve had to make myself.
With regards drill nights, during basic training you’ll generally learn on the drill nights what you will cover on the next weekend, i.e. weapons handling, map reading, NBC, first aid, etc. The RMR drill nights usually consisted of an hour of lectures or lessons on whatever, followed by an hour of Phys at the end of which we were usually bleeding out of our eyes and blowing chunks everywhere. From what I’ve seen of the TA so far it’s mostly all lessons and lectures and occasionally a bit of Phys.
There really is loads of info on the forums about both, if not the rest of the web.
Sorry I havn't been able to answer all your questions, some one will i'm sure...
Best of Luck,
JZ.
"Nobody said it was gonna be easy!"
I joined the TA at Uni. When I graduated I went to Bosnia and did a few other bits and bobs for a couple of years. Then I became a Copper. I had to resign from the TA when I joined the Met, but I have rcently been allowed to re-join the TA, so I have. Also because I was out of the TA for less than three years, I have retained my rank, seniority and bounty qualifications etc etc.
thanks for your replies theyre really helpful.
what unit did you join hantslad?
im trying to decide between 71 royal signals, london green jackets or the london scottish/irish units. then theres the RMR as well which im considering seriously too. still, just trying to get back to full fitness at the moment!
thanks
what unit did you join hantslad?
im trying to decide between 71 royal signals, london green jackets or the london scottish/irish units. then theres the RMR as well which im considering seriously too. still, just trying to get back to full fitness at the moment!
thanks
