RMR and University

[Big_Chris]

Morning all,

Just a quick one really. I was wondering that if you go to university and attempt/succed at joining a RMR detachment/currently serving is your place at university "secure", for want of a better word, if you are deployed anywhere?

For instance, I have read in TA flyers/pamphlets that if you are deployed your employer basically can't get rid of you for being deployed. Does a similar kind of deal extend to university students?

Just want to see if anyone knows the lie of the land on it.

[borisimo]

yes if you're in full time education you are exempt from the mobilisation process

[mfat_man]

Morning all,

Just a quick one really. I was wondering that if you go to university and attempt/succed at joining a RMR detachment/currently serving is your place at university "secure", for want of a better word, if you are deployed anywhere?

For instance, I have read in TA flyers/pamphlets that if you are deployed your employer basically can't get rid of you for being deployed. Does a similar kind of deal extend to university students?

Just want to see if anyone knows the lie of the land on it.

Hi Chris

Welcome to the board

As I understand it if you were mobalised at work you can go back to your job but the reality might be different if you look at the end of the book "Weekend Warrior" the writer was TA/REME and was got rid of when he came back to the UK.

However if an employer really wants to move you on I suppose there is no much you can do, but others might disagree with that statement!

[pablo]

I've been recently thinking about the same thing, although with college rather than uni. I'll be turning 17 soon after getting into college so I think I'll have enough time (just over 2 years), I was just thinking if there could be any downsides.

I've heard about people getting so caught up in the RMR/TA that their education suffers, and even though I feel that I could handle both it's still a potential problem. If I'm going to end up ditching college in favour of RMR then I may as well scrap college and go straight for RM.

Life's decisions, eh?

[Big_Chris]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Borismo I'm not concerned with being mobilised (if so, why join? ), and if I'm going to put myself through rigorous selection and training I'd rather hope to one day have the opportunity to test myself and my training. I'm more concerned that if I was mobilised, whether my uni place would still be secure (even if I had to resit a year) upon my return or whether I'd be cut loose and have to start again.

I've heard about people getting so caught up in the RMR/TA that their education suffers

These are things we can not plan for. If I get in and love it...well there are far worse things that can happen in life.

[borisimo]

Then Id think you'd have to ask your university about their policy on it, I don't think you would get the same cover as employees do though, hence why you get the exemption.

Plus it could be an admin nightmare, e.g. if you are on old fees system then you'd have to probably start paying the new system, what if they stopped doing certain modules/courses etc etc.

If I get my lid I intend to volunteer for a deployment or FTRS after I finish university (2008). I figure Im at university to get a degree and I can make university and RMR and my job work alongside each other, they're all important. If I was in the mindset they I have no quarms about restarting university then I'd personally probably leave, as it wouldn't be worth it. Granted im only at uni to fill time but the course does have relevance to my future occupation and I have to think long term as well as short term.

[mfat_man]

Thanks for the responses guys.

Borismo I'm not concerned with being mobilised (if so, why join? ), and if I'm going to put myself through rigorous selection and training I'd rather hope to one day have the opportunity to test myself and my training. I'm more concerned that if I was mobilised, whether my uni place would still be secure (even if I had to resit a year) upon my return or whether I'd be cut loose and have to start again.

I've heard about people getting so caught up in the RMR/TA that their education suffers

These are things we can not plan for. If I get in and love it...well there are far worse things that can happen in life.

Chris

I think it's a big 50/50. Yes your education might suffer 'cos some TA units will want you around every other weekend and that could mean your studies will suffer along with your friday night beer sessions

However the plus side is you will get some military experience that could be useful, well very useful if you are going for RMR and the Corps afterwards.

A friend of mine knew he wanted to join the Army when he graduated and last time I spoke to him he was still in the Army Air Corps (without doing TA etc first) the mad fool and still loving it I think!

[letsrole]

What det. and Uni. are you going for? I'm looking to combine the two aswell, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not at Uni to get my green beret, I'm there to get a degree!

If you definately want a military career after Uni then it may be worth seeing how you get on at Uni first to see if you can fit it all in (at a later intake so you can get seteled if you get me). If you just want an experience it may be an idea to go for UOTC as this is more student friendly and is pretty green so I'm told.

Id say go for UOTC if guci kit and (questionable) woman is more your thing, but if you want a real challenge go RMR.

[Mike_222]

Big Chris

It all depends entirely on your university and your department. My uni's been a real bugger when i missed exams due to TA training, lord knows what they will be like if i get mobilised. But that's life and i'm not too fussed - as you say, why join if you don't want to test yourself and do the job

Letsrole

Firstly, this bloke is in no indecision about what he wants to join, his motivation is clear. His question was whether his place would still be at uni if he were mobilised (a great attitude might i add).

'Managing' university and various elements of the TA/RMR is NOT difficult and it jolly well shouldn't be. TA/RMR is designed so that guys who have full time jobs, and families to look after can join. So students; who do very little during the week and NOTHING on weekends should have no excuses. The hardest thing so far I have found is resisting the peer pressure to booze from uni mates because i know i have to train the next day. Honestly, it really is no problem, and don't make it one.

Fair enough, I've no experience of RMR and no particular ambition to gain any. But shop around and make sure you join the right unit for you: RMR is clearly a sterling unit and far be it from me to criticise (being a 'mere' TA Infantry soldier) but think about 131, 4 para, 144 etc. Or if you like a bit of a challenge then give 21/23 a ring.

[Sonne]

'Managing' university and various elements of the TA/RMR is NOT difficult and it jolly well shouldn't be. TA/RMR is designed so that guys who have full time jobs and families to look after can join. So students, who do very little during the week and NOTHING on weekends, should have no excuses. The hardest thing so far I have found is resisting the booze from uni mates because i know i have to train the next day. Honestly, it really is no problem, and don't make it one.

Fair enough, I've no experience of RMR and no particular ambition to do so. Shop around and make sure you join the right unit for you, RMR is good but think about 131, 4 para, 144 etc. Or if you like a bit of a challenge then give 21/23 a ring.

Depends on the course. Those undertainking medical studies need to have flexible weekends for hospital placements etc.

If you're putting i nthe required amount of independant study then you shouldn't have a massive amount of free time.

Sonne

[Mike_222]

Rubbish. Are you at university?

I know people in OTC who put in far more MTDs a year than most TA (21/23 excluding). MOST are medics/engineers etc. The 'non-green' social life take a battering but that's the price you pay.

[borisimo]

yep, depends how seriously you take it, id happily settle for a 2:1 or 2:2 but if you want a first then obviously you are going to have to put a significant amount of work in, which i can't really, with working 22 hours a week plus overtime, 10 hours mimum at university and training for RMR (then official training once you're in) and special constables, all adds up.

not all students spend all day/weekends doing nothing

[Mike_222]

Fair one Borisimo, you have a job as well as RMR and Uni. Take that out of the equation and how much spare time do you have? The answer would be a fair amount no?

And still, you prove it's doable WITH a job!

[borisimo]

yeah i agree with ya for the vast majority of degrees its easily do-able and should prove no problem managing the 2, unless as sonne says you are doing something badass like medicine, im only doing BA sociology so it's not too stressful.

also should note im only in holding troop at the moment, but its still a case of training 5 days a week.

[Mike_222]

Well good luck mate, you have a LOT on your plate...

Special C-UNT-stubble as well eh? Sorry i couldn't resist.

That is a lot to take on though, if you manage a 2:1, pass commando course, keep your job and serve as a SC and still not be impotent, you have my vote for PM as you will be a better man than I good sir!