Territorial Army, anyone ever been in it?

[libernian]

Hey folks, I am seriously considering joining the TA. Initially just looked out of interest but seeing some of the things available which you get paid for I thought it sounded pretty good.

Initially I thought I wouldnt want to be "deployed" - as in to Iraq etc - but I actually think being deployed now I've looked into to it wouldn't be all that bad. If I joined think I'd probs want to be deployed seems pointless otherwise. Only thing am worried about is getting time off uni but could always take a year out.

Would like to gain practical skills from it too and specialise in something. Probs mechanics / driving(like heavy goods vehicles). Dont really fancy infantry.

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone had any experience of it? Also, if anyopne joined Royal Marines Reserves, Royal Navy Reserves or RAF Reserves would also be interested to hear from you!

Thanks

[Minder]

Hey folks, I am seriously considering joining the TA. Initially just looked out of interest but seeing some of the things available which you get paid for I thought it sounded pretty good.

Initially I thought I wouldnt want to be "deployed" - as in to Iraq etc - but I actually think being deployed now I've looked into to it wouldn't be all that bad. If I joined think I'd probs want to be deployed seems pointless otherwise. Only thing am worried about is getting time off uni but could always take a year out.

Would like to gain practical skills from it too and specialise in something. Probs mechanics / driving(like heavy goods vehicles). Dont really fancy infantry.

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone had any experience of it? Also, if anyopne joined Royal Marines Reserves, Royal Navy Reserves or RAF Reserves would also be interested to hear from you!

Thanks


I would recommend it. You will meet a great bunch of guys and girls. Not sure if this unit is still open but you could try the TA Para unit if you want a challenge, they used to be based in Chesser Avenue if I recall. Need to be able to run though.

[Toaods]

suggest you direct all questions to this chap (think Windsor Davies :greengrin):

http://www.hibs.net/message/member.php?u=632

[Mikey_1875]

Not answering your question but it could be beneficial to join your Uni army corps if you have one and are concerned about time off etc?

[ginger_rice]

I was once a member of the RNR at Granton just after I left the RN.

RNR possibly a safer bet if you're just looking for some beer money, the chance to learn a practical skill, with the odd deployment, think the nearest unit to Edinburgh now is HMS Scotia at Rosyth ( I was there with a good Hibbie called Stevie Wright)

If you go for the TA I'd recommend one of the corps not the infantry although remember you are classed as a soldier first and foremost, and can be called upon to do soldierly things!

[libernian]

Not answering your question but it could be beneficial to join your Uni army corps if you have one and are concerned about time off etc?

you have to wait until freshers week to do that again. its all soldiery stuff too i think (like tactics). am more interested in a practical skill from it, i.e. mechanics, welding etc. also, they have to see leadership potential in you i think, and you must be actually selected i think as having the potential to be an army officer.

noticed scottish transport regiment dunno yet tho. gonna give em a call.

cheers for all replies!

[libernian]

I was once a member of the RNR at Granton just after I left the RN.

RNR possibly a safer bet if you're just looking for some beer money, the chance to learn a practical skill, with the odd deployment, think the nearest unit to Edinburgh now is HMS Scotia at Rosyth ( I was there with a good Hibbie called Stevie Wright)

If you go for the TA I'd recommend one of the corps not the infantry although remember you are classed as a soldier first and foremost, and can be called upon to do soldierly things!


is it not a bit clautraphobic being stuck on a boat all the time tho? and do you ever get to go off the boat? plus what kind of practical skills can you learn?

who would you says got the soundest folk at it?

lol, so many questions! cheers

p.s. how come you think its a safer bet?

[AndyP]

you have to wait until freshers week to do that again. its all soldiery stuff too i think (like tactics). am more interested in a practical skill from it, i.e. mechanics, welding etc. also, they have to see leadership potential in you i think, and you must be actually selected i think as having the potential to be an army officer.

noticed scottish transport regiment dunno yet tho. gonna give em a call.

cheers for all replies!


IF you think you're just going to be doing "un military" things like fixing trucks or wiring circuits etc then seriously think again. Support arms guys (REME, Logistics, Signals et al) have to do twice as much soldiering skills as the infantry because it's not their main skill set.

[libernian]

IF you think you're just going to be doing "un military" things like fixing trucks or wiring circuits etc then seriously think again. Support arms guys (REME, Logistics, Signals et al) have to do twice as much soldiering skills as the infantry because it's not their main skill set.


point i was making is that you wont for example gain a driving license (i have one anyway) or be doing anything practical. like i'd like to drive big trucks or do something cool aswell as all the soldiering stuff. the otc doesnt do stuff like that to my knowledge. its all about learership courses about tactics, hand guns n whatever.

is infantry not basically a front line soldier? if so how can they do less soldiering skills than others??

[ArabHibee]

point i was making is that you wont for example gain a driving license (i have one anyway) or be doing anything practical. like i'd like to drive big trucks or do something cool aswell as all the soldiering stuff. the otc doesnt do stuff like that to my knowledge. its all about learership courses about tactics, hand guns n whatever.

is infantry not basically a front line soldier? if so how can they do less soldiering skills than others??

:wtf:

:bitchy:

[marinello59]

point i was making is that you wont for example gain a driving license (i have one anyway) or be doing anything practical. like i'd like to drive big trucks or do something cool aswell as all the soldiering stuff. the otc doesnt do stuff like that to my knowledge. its all about learership courses about tactics, hand guns n whatever.

is infantry not basically a front line soldier? if so how can they do less soldiering skills than others??

Perhaps this isn't for you. No matter what your speciality is you would be a soldier first and foremost. Your basic training would be the same as somebody joining up as an infantryman. It's not just at Officer level that they require leadership skills, it's important in the lower ranks as well. It really isn't something to be entered in to halfheartedly.

[ginger_rice]

is it not a bit clautraphobic being stuck on a boat all the time tho?

I never found it to be, I served on Frigates and Mineswepers

and do you ever get to go off the boat? Depends on where you are and what you are doing at them time, also on the type of ship, the RNR now are an integral part of the regular RN and reservists serve at sea for two weeks continuous training, if you are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time you'll get a run ashore.

plus what kind of practical skills can you learn? It would be best to check on the RNR website, I was in the weapon engineering branch, but that was disbanded within the reserves in '96 when we all moved across to Scotia, however I beleive that things have changed since then

who would you says got the soundest folk at it?not sure I understand the question sorry!

lol, so many questions! cheers

p.s. how come you think its a safer bet? Get shot at a lot less :timebomb::shocked:#

Hope that helps

[AndyP]

point i was making is that you wont for example gain a driving license (i have one anyway) or be doing anything practical. like i'd like to drive big trucks or do something cool aswell as all the soldiering stuff. the otc doesnt do stuff like that to my knowledge. its all about learership courses about tactics, hand guns n whatever.

is infantry not basically a front line soldier? if so how can they do less soldiering skills than others??

They don't, do less skills they just don't need to work as hard at them as guys doing the rear ech jobs.

And as for front line jobs, the front line is so blurred in modern warfare that EVERYBODY is in the front line.

[Brizo]

point i was making is that you wont for example gain a driving license (i have one anyway) or be doing anything practical. like i'd like to drive big trucks or do something cool aswell as all the soldiering stuff. the otc doesnt do stuff like that to my knowledge. its all about learership courses about tactics, hand guns n whatever.

is infantry not basically a front line soldier? if so how can they do less soldiering skills than others??

:faf: :faf: Yeah that would be awesome dude.

Students ... dont you just love em

[ArabHibee]

:faf: :faf: Yeah that would be awesome dude.

Students ... dont you just love em


NO! BLOODY STUDENTS!!:grr:

:cool2:

[Hibbychick]

Hey folks, I am seriously considering joining the TA. Initially just looked out of interest but seeing some of the things available which you get paid for I thought it sounded pretty good.

Initially I thought I wouldnt want to be "deployed" - as in to Iraq etc - but I actually think being deployed now I've looked into to it wouldn't be all that bad. If I joined think I'd probs want to be deployed seems pointless otherwise. Only thing am worried about is getting time off uni but could always take a year out.

Would like to gain practical skills from it too and specialise in something. Probs mechanics / driving(like heavy goods vehicles). Dont really fancy infantry.

Anyway, I just wondered if anyone had any experience of it? Also, if anyopne joined Royal Marines Reserves, Royal Navy Reserves or RAF Reserves would also be interested to hear from you!

Thanks

I've been a TA medic with an Infantry unit for past 19 years.

If you are serious thinking about it the best advice I can give is to go along to the Army Careers office on Shandwick Place as they have information on all the different regiments. Tell them what you want and they will point you in the right direction.

The recruitment process can be very time consuming but as a student, summer challenge is the way to go as all your training is done during the summer holidays.

If you have any other questions, just ask.