territorial army (aka TA)

[puppy]

can i make a thread about it here, looks like i already have but anyway...

is anyone here a member of the ta, is the ta active in other countries others than the uk ?

ive thought about joining but im so unfit, disorganised and unmotivated at times and reality kicks in, im also too old i think ?

but it looks interesting, tell me about it please, your experiences and assignments etc

 

[jhollas]

I'm a member of the TA while at University, and am planning to go regular once done with my degree.
I've been in for a little over 8 months now, so I'll be more than happy to answer any more questions you might have.
But first, is the TA active in any other countries? Yes, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. We took a lot of our TA medical services out with us to Gulf War II because regular medical services are stretched so far, for example.
If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Yes, the TA do have an age limit, but they will get you to the level of fitness you need to be (with a little work in your free time), and you'll learn self-discipline, etc. from being a member.
Incidentally, whereabouts do you live, because I'm interested to know what Regiment?Corps of the TA you'd be joining?
Hope some of that helps.

 

[Soldier_GJ]

I am in the TA. I have been in for 3 years, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Members of my unit have served in the Gulf on Op Telic 1 and 2, and also in Bosnia and Kosovo.

My Unit is Royal Signals, but I'm a vehicle mechanic in the REME, attached.

Personal fitness can be an issue, but the scale of the issue is down to the type of soldiering you do - infantry - hard work. Spanner bashing - not so hard...

 

[Soldier_GJ]

I'm a member of the TA while at University, and am planning to go regular once done with my degree.

Which Unit are you in?

 

[puppy]

im 32 :o and theres 2 units quite near me in glasgow, i found this on the website


'Eligibility FAQs
Q. Am I too old or too young to join?
A. You need to be at least 17 years old in order to join the TA. The upper age limit depends on what you have to offer but it is normally 30 for those joining as an officer and 32 as a soldier. There are exceptions to the upper age limit for those with certain specialist skills or previous military experience.'

 

[jhollas]

Which Unit are you in?

Err... The one which isn't really considered part of the TA at all. I suppose I should 'fess up. Technically (on paper), I'm TA, but wouldn't really compare myself to a TA soldier in any way, shape or form, because we simply don't have the same training standards.
I'm OTC. Shocking, I know. But, I've done my fair share of recruiting for the TA, so I guess I can run off the spiel, but couldn't really comment on operations, etc.
Apologies for confusion!

 

[Soldier_GJ]

OTC?

That's OK, some of our ruperts came from OTCs...

 

[Soldier_GJ]

As you're close to the top end of the scale, I'd suggest getting in touch with either unit's recruiting office, and seeing what they have to say - they may well say it isn't a problem...

 

[jhollas]

OTC?

That's OK, some of our ruperts came from OTCs...

How did you find them? Were they pretty quick to adapt to what is obviously a major change in pace/professionalism/etc., or did they need some "encouragement?"

 

[Soldier_GJ]

To be honest, once they'd been through Sandhurst, they were OK...