TA Mobilisation Rumours

[Smiler.wales]

Im posting this because everything at the moment is rumour and I cant talk about it with my friends and family as I dont want to worry them unduly.

Ive heard strong rumours that our TA regiment (104 AD )Regt may get mobilised to Basra normally I would put this down to the grapevine rumours but the rumours actually specify a date that the letters will go out (Jan 9th) and that leads me to believe that this may be on the level. The other rumours accompanying it include

60-80 % of the regiment will be mobilised

We will have 2-3 months training in the UK to bring us up to speed as soldiers - Chilwell has been bandied about

Our job out there will be to guard some hospitals, dont think they would specify a specific job for us out there more of help whereever you can

This rumour has made me think seriously about the implications.My personal opinion is that whilst im not going to volunteer to go over there (due to job issues) once mobilised your job is guaranteed on your return.

Once that is taken care of then my view is that this is what we have trained for and that as Soldiers (albeit part time) we have an obligation to go when requested. Coming from a strong military upbringing I view this as a duty and am honourbound to go (sounds so dorky when I say it like that) as Ive willingly accepted the Armys money for the past few years so now its time to ante up.

Ive no particular desire to shoot or be shot at so I know that Im doing this to be gung ho, Rambo etc etc. My main concern would be fiancee and my mum who would worst affected as they will worry regardless.

So what do you think, like I said this is only rumour at the moment but its a strong one and its coming from the higher ranks. I wanted to tell someone but cant really talk to anyone over here as it could leak out and get back to my fiancee and I dont want to worry her on something that may or may not happen. The only thing to do now is wait for Jan 9th/10th and keep checking the mail

[Smilie-man'81]

In my TA regiment i heard a few of the NCO's yesterday talking about the call up in the new year and 'look out for the brown envolope on your doorstep'. I believe they are sending TA soldiers there but i dont know how many or where they're from. I havent finished my phase 1 training so there isnt a possibility for me.

[Smiler.wales]

yep thats part of the rumnour flying around - normally id dismiss this as rumour but for the fact of the specific date

as i said personally Im not against going - it what your trained for but the only aspect I would be concerned about is my job as Ive finally for a job that I love and enjoy and I dont want to lose it. Given that my job is influenced by military my bosses will probably be sympathetic but I just dont want to return and find that im surplus to requirements.

going to be an interesting 2004 thats for sure

[Smilie-man'81]

Good luck if you do get a brown envolope anyway!

[mercury]

I could do with a nice holiday , better stock up on sun tan cream

[lew]

what regiment are you from???


lew

[Sisyphus]

Smiler

Having been through the rumour mill in 'redundancy situations' more often than I care to remember - my recommendation is don't go chasing rumours. It only generates more rumours.

Best bet is to sit back and wait until the definitive answer arrives on your doormat - or doesn't.

In any event, Good Luck whatever happens.

[gunner75]

I know that 4 Para in the gulf war were there attached to either 1 or 3 Para. Now there going over after christmas under their own steam. My friend, along with the rest of the battalion, is currently down south somewhere sharpening up their soldiering skills and will be ready to go come january.

[Tab]

If you are that worried why the hell did you join the TA. Or is it that you just fancy mincing around in a uniform.

[BenChug]

It always amuses me how so many lads are eager to go and how many aren't. And its the ones who don't want to go who end up in the shit.

I wish my regiment was going it beats sitting around here in the damned cold telling people to polish shovels, paint vehicles, and sitting out in the middle of damned no wheres on recce.

[Smiler.wales]

FAO Lew - 104 Regiment

FAO Ben Cehung and TAB

Just for the record guys , I joined the TA for the challenge and I enjoy it - (I do not mince about in uniform). The reason for the discussion is that I couldnt talk to anyone at home about it just in case it leaked to my fiancee or parents.

Believe it or not If called I would go and go willingly as Ive allready stated , this is what Ive trained to do and have been paid well for that training now its time to ante up. My family has a strong military background and I feel that its my duty and honour to go when called. Trust me should that brown envelope turn up I wont be burning it or handing my kit in Ill go as and when Im required.

HOWEVER

Id be a bloody fool if I undertook this lightly without realising the consequences. Personally Ive no desire to shoot or be shot at but that does not mean I wouldnt do so if required. To me thats a better attitude than going out there with a false sense of Bravado , wanting to kill Ragheads. I may only be TA to regular sodiers but Ive have and will continue to treat the TA as I would my job and thats as proffessionally as I can. Im a sodding good soldier and so are many within the TA Im not scared about going but am naturally worried about the effect that it will have on my loved ones.

At the end of it all Im just going to have a fantastic xmas and make the most of it and Ill deal with the future as and when it happens.

Smiler

[Jason The Argonaut]

Ive no particular desire to shoot or be shot at so I know that Im doing this to be gung ho, Rambo etc etc.

Well if you get called up Smiler good luck.

I know the TA regiment I'm joining G Company RGJ, have been mobilised to be sent out to Iraqi next year not sure what date, they are away training for it now.

[Tab]

Smiler mate if you join the TA it must be on the cards that some day you might be asked to go and fight for your country. Killing is what most soldiers do that is why they give you guns and bullets, yes you may be a good soldier and if you are called to go may I wish you well, but I think we have only lost seven soldiers since the end the major part of the conflict. Also you now get flak jackets and a pile of other stuff to help keep you fit and healthy, which gives a greater chance of survival than we ever had. I find it surprising that you read about so many people in the military that complain like mad when they are asked to go and do what they have been paid to for a very long time. If you have read the papers and these threads you would have seen that the government has become so short of soldiers that they intend to use the TA even more to make up for the shortfall in Regulars, so get used to it you could be doing it every year.

[scottishmatt]

Those TA going out on Op Telic 4 (in January) should have already received their call up papers. My unit, 106 Reg RA, was informed through official channels that we are to go out on Op Telic 5, due to deploy next Sep/Oct. If there are any British out there then and parliamentary approval is given in May. Apparently there are only 7,000 TA soldiers left that can be sent to Iraqi, so if your unit hasn’t gone yet it’s looking like you could be getting a holiday in the sand soon.

[goldie ex rmp]

i have some fake tan for sale to anyone who wants to look as if theyve been out in Iraq for ages, only the new guys get shot in the films so try to look like an old hand lol