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What is the TA like? I really have no Idea I thought it may be a sort of crappy version of the army where they do the jobs that the real army didnt want to do!?!

p.s. I didnt mean this post to sound like I was slagging the TA off! More to do my own ignorance.

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Some of its good, some of its not so good. you’ll come across people who know their stuff (ex regs or specialists mostly) then you’ll come across some real Garath from the office types.

Basically if you think you might enjoy it then do it, if it doesn’t give you enough of what you’re looking for go and join the regs.


Lew

p.s. done join signals its shite!!!

lew wrote:p.s. done join signals its shite!!!

Lew

Cheers Jas, you have just shown up my typo


lew

lew wrote:Cheers Jas, you have just shown up my typo

No problem mate any time

That's a pretty broad question, to be honest. It really depends on what you join. You do get some people who are switched on, and you do get some right knobbers, but it's the same as in the regs and for that matter, any job. Since the 1998 Strategic Review, the TA and the Army work closer together than they used to; to an extent they can almost be called exchangable. My dads served in three different units (Chesire Yeomanry, RMP and now the Specialist Training Team), some he enjoyed more than others, but at the end of the day you can try it and see what you think.

lew wrote: p.s. done join signals its shite!!!

You're a Siggie too are ya?

Choosing a Regiment or Corps really depends on what you want to do in your T.A career. I had the option of Green Jackets or Signals, and chose Signals because i'd probably learn a lot more useful things from a Civvie perspective with the Siggies. Besides which, I'm going to join the Marines after Uni and so i'll have plenty of time to do all the fun stuff the Jackets do in the future.

As for the type of people you meet there. It's a real mixed bag. I've spent time with two different Squadrons in the same Regiment and the two are extremely different! The knobbers are a definate minority - you do get them, but most don't hang around for long. Still, you'll find a lot of odd people throughout the T.A, but thats all part of the fun

My dad was in the TA throughout all of my childhood, so I didn't see him that much.

The stuff he's told me and my brother about it is quite amazing, as you get paid the same as a reg, but don't have to fully commit to the forces.

The only bad point really is that if you do as much time as possible, whilst doing a regular "civvie" job, you won't see your family that much

If you want to experience something really different, challenging, and that pays well, then give it a go

I've considered joining the TA, but the only regiment available to me is the RLC, and I'm not that bothered about becoming a driver, so I've but the idea on the back burner

Suck it and see - it's the only way you'll find out

Si

TA seems quite good crack in arty. Only in training at min. so hardly the voice of experience but from what I've seen the opportunities are limitless. Go on FTRS (full time reserve service) & go away with regulars, but our battery is light gun equipped so when mobilised for war, get to go with the big boys either 29 CDO Regt. or 7 PARA RHA. I'd say go for it mate if you're interested, at least get down to a centre on a drill night to have a look at things, speak to the lads in the know. They are the ones who can give you the real info.

Just started with 4 Para in London. They all seem a tough bunch, and this week some of the guys were running through parachuting drills for this weekend's jump into Arnhem. The first night I was there the PTIs were beasting recruits about to depart for CIC/P Coy in Catterick. No wonder they did a great job with the regs in Iraq. Very switched on, fit and highly motivated.

You get the best and the worst of both worlds.

To be honest, was in REME TA for a while.

These days, if you can read and write you are over-qualified.

Hated it.

I'm looking at joining either infantry (mortar unit) or RMP I'm gonna go and visit both and see which I like more