Anyone on here in the TA?

[TurboBrett]

I can run at a steady pace (not particularly quick mind you) for 15 mins, and press ups, at the moment I could prob do somewhere around that figure with a bit of work and the pressure of someone stood over me lol. I generally do about 30 when i choose do them.

Sit ups, again, im not to bad, better at crunches to be honest.

As for lifting weights etc im not to bad at that.

So basically what your saying is that ill get a fitness test at the beginning then they will do me a training program to work at in my own time. With a possible fitness session once every 3rd week?

My diet is something I will definetlyt need to work on. At the moment I am fairly unfit - compared to what I used to be like).

 

yeah you got it, they might not give you a 'personal' work out routine maybe a general one for the fitter guys and galls seriously eat healthy for like 2 weeks nothing else and you will be ably to tell the difference.. you will pass... there was guys there when i did mine less than 20 for situps and pressups combined and 19 minutes ws the slowest pass.. the pti at the finnish line when we was streatching said (jordie acccent ) f***in ell i can walk it faster than that...so off we set back to the start and we got there faster than the slowest guy ran it in:d, you have an interview with an officer aswell... just dont say '' and what as made you want to join the TA" well sir i want to go kill some f**in ragheads .... he didnt last long:(

[SupraAyf]

I can run at a steady pace (not particularly quick mind you) for 15 mins, and press ups, at the moment I could prob do somewhere around that figure with a bit of work and the pressure of someone stood over me lol. I generally do about 30 when i choose do them.

Sit ups, again, im not to bad, better at crunches to be honest.

As for lifting weights etc im not to bad at that.

So basically what your saying is that ill get a fitness test at the beginning then they will do me a training program to work at in my own time. With a possible fitness session once every 3rd week?

My diet is something I will definetlyt need to work on. At the moment I am fairly unfit - compared to what I used to be like).

 

 

Dave, you seem concerned about the fiz side of it mate. All I can say is build up your running and CV capability and you will be fine. A regular soldier up to the age of 30 should aim to achieve a 1.5 mile run time of 10 mins and 30 secs MAX. Some will breeze it (i.e. 7 minutes) but others will find it difficult as not all are natural runners. Over 10% of the Regular British Army (i.e. 10,000) is not able to deploy due to their medical condition which says something IMO.

 

As an example but if you were to join the TA Parachute Regiment then your physical capability would have to be tip top - makes sense eh? The likes of the logistics guys and the 'rear-with-the-gear' units don't need the same level of physical capability so you shouldn't worry. If you ensure that your CV and basic running capability is up to the mark then you'll breeze it. You will also find that the TA is desperate for recruits as so many of the guys have resigned due to recent deployment demands placed upon them.

 

To give you an idea but the British MOD has been accepting TA guys for operational service in Iraq/Afghanistan who should effectively be discharged due to their extreme medical condition, but the MOD insists on deploying them due to the drastic requirement to get men in to operational slots. This is the reason why you get a massive number of TA blokes who suddenly find themselves well out of their depth on operations (this also adds to the dislike of TA by the Regs).

 

Oh yes, the Regular guys that serve as senior staff instructors at TA units are not normally up to much as Regular Commanding Officers have an operational need to keep their good guys for their own plans, therefore, all the sub-standard rubbish goes to the TA units (80% of the time).

[colsoop]

Isn't TA P company only 2 weeks ?

[DaveSupTT]

Isn't TA P company only 2 weeks ?

 

whats P company?

[colsoop]

whats P company?

 

Info here: http://www2.army.mod.uk/para/pegasus_p_company.htm

 

+ a cheesy video

 

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=3342083745772979144

[DaveSupTT]

Dave, you seem concerned about the fiz side of it mate. All I can say is build up your running and CV capability and you will be fine. A regular soldier up to the age of 30 should aim to achieve a 1.5 mile run time of 10 mins and 30 secs MAX. Some will breeze it (i.e. 7 minutes) but others will find it difficult as not all are natural runners. Over 10% of the Regular British Army (i.e. 10,000) is not able to deploy due to their medical condition which says something IMO.

 

As an example but if you were to join the TA Parachute Regiment then your physical capability would have to be tip top - makes sense eh? The likes of the logistics guys and the 'rear-with-the-gear' units don't need the same level of physical capability so you shouldn't worry. If you ensure that your CV and basic running capability is up to the mark then you'll breeze it. You will also find that the TA is desperate for recruits as so many of the guys have resigned due to recent deployment demands placed upon them.

QUOTE]

 

Yeah I am slightly concerned, as although I am not to bad fitness wise, and I could eat healthier, its the running side more than anything that bothers me as im not a natual runner. I can do sport for hrs, but when it comes to just running, im c**p to be honest. Its just one thing I have never been great at and always struggled with.

You mentioned the parachute regiment, how do you go about doing something like this. As going off the info that has been supplied to me, the jobs id be looking at are infantry, tank crewman, military police, something in logistics.

What I wanted to do was maybe something like veicle mechanic in REME, but I havent got any engineering background, which when I went into the carrers office they said that if I wanted to do a trade in the TA i would need civi expierence as the army wont train you. Where as on the dvd they send out, they have people on their saying how they joined the TA to do something completly different to their day job and learn new skills. So its confused me a little as to what I can actually do.

[SupraAyf]

Ooops Dave, my laptop battery is low so I'll chat later.

 

Colin will sort you out though with the knowledge side of things.

[DaveSupTT]

Ooops Dave, my laptop battery is low so I'll chat later.

 

Colin will sort you out though with the knowledge side of things.

 

okay cheers, thanks for your help its appreciated.

[Guest willismaximus]

I was in the T.A. RLC for almost 12 months but to be honest it was a huge waste of time because the squadron i was in literally did nothing on there mid-week meets and relied on people getting trained up on the weekend courses that were run with the other squadrons, but because the job i was doing at the time involved lots of weekend work i only managed to attend like three weekends in the space of a year and one of those was the Officer selection weekend (Which i passed) so i never really learnt anything. Didn't even get to go on the two weeks basic training course because work wouldn't give me two weeks in a row off (Gitz!!).

Fitness wise, like the guys on here say, work on your C.V. a bit and you'll be fine mate but depending on which squadron you join, don't expect too much on the mid-week meets because you may find yourself being shown how to iron your shirt (I wish i was joking but we did actually spend an entire night being shown this because they had nothing for us to do.... surprise surprise), this was a couple of years ago now though so hopefully that particular squadron has pulled their finger out now.

 

I'm actually looking for one to join down here now that i'm living in Dewsbury but the only one i've found is an Engineering Para's unit in Wakefield and there is no information about what they do at all so i have no idea if they'd even accept me without some Engineering background (Of which i have none)

[colsoop]

If you want my advice then i suggest a physical training program to get your weak areas up to a good level. The fitter you are the better really, it means you can take in more of what is being said to you and not be hanging out your arse on a tab or run and become a liability !

 

You mention your weakness is running, i have known some big guys 6ft 5 and 18 stone who have struggled with running but after a few weeks of beatup training they are able to get much better times for the mile and a half, start now if you are serious !

[Kranz]

Practice the mile and a half fitness test at your gym. There should be a range of fitness tests on the treadmill. Look for the PEB test, that's the one.

You need to input your weight (either in Kg or pounds depending on what units the machine works on) and your age. Then start it off and ramp the speed up fast to whatever you can sustain

You'll need to aim for 9mph to get a good time, but start off at 6 and work up.

When you finish it gives you a % score. This is your fitness level.

 

I'm currently working my way back up to 98% which is 9 mins 10s at 10 mph

[DaveSupTT]

Not sure what the PEB test is, as its not on the machine at the gym I go to.

There are options such as manual, hill climb, random, fat burn.

I generally choose the manual option, enter my stats and run at about 10kph and sprint at 15kph but for 30secs or so. Looks like i need to go faster if your saying to run the entire lot 9mph = 14.48kph

[Guest Alan S]

Just a question for the TA folks,

when you initially join, you sign on for 3yrs. BUT, in that 3yrs, you can leave at any time aslong as your not mobilised. So what is the point in the sign on for 3 yrs, if you dont have to do the 3 yrs if you get one I mean. Just confused me?

Also is it correct that your training for the 1st 2 yrs, or am i wrong there?

[TurboBrett]

Just a question for the TA folks,

when you initially join, you sign on for 3yrs. BUT, in that 3yrs, you can leave at any time aslong as your not mobilised. So what is the point in the sign on for 3 yrs, if you dont have to do the 3 yrs if you get one I mean. Just confused me?

Also is it correct that your training for the 1st 2 yrs, or am i wrong there?

 

basicaly, if you sign for 3 years and your infantry training with the recruits course of 2 weeks is complete (equivilant of basic) and you leave say 9 months in, then if things get messy they can pull you back in up untill your 3 years are up

 

 

under the new training system in theory you would do 3 weekend 2week course and then 5 weekends and your on to your trade training however the likily-hood of them falling in that order and on them weeks is unlikely i think ours went on roughly a 3 month cycle so the fastest it could be done in 3 months, but dont forget that is attending every training sesion possibe and not takinig into acount weekend you cannot do.. when i joined there was 8 of us who was ready inside 3 months me being one of them but my fitness slowed me down and i was under the old training system where you do your first 3 weekend then your 5 then the 2 weeker

[SupraAyf]

Yeah I am slightly concerned, as although I am not to bad fitness wise, and I could eat healthier, its the running side more than anything that bothers me as im not a natual runner. I can do sport for hrs, but when it comes to just running, im c**p to be honest. Its just one thing I have never been great at and always struggled with.

You mentioned the parachute regiment, how do you go about doing something like this. As going off the info that has been supplied to me, the jobs id be looking at are infantry, tank crewman, military police, something in logistics.

What I wanted to do was maybe something like veicle mechanic in REME, but I havent got any engineering background, which when I went into the carrers office they said that if I wanted to do a trade in the TA i would need civi expierence as the army wont train you. Where as on the dvd they send out, they have people on their saying how they joined the TA to do something completly different to their day job and learn new skills. So its confused me a little as to what I can actually do.

 

Dave, you need to ask yourself a few questions before taking the TA thing further.

 

Fitness - do you want to attain a higher level of fiz for certain units (PARAS etc) or you happy to plod (i.e. if you don't like endurance or intense running sessions then avoid the infantry units like the plague:d

 

Location - which units are available to you in your immediate area? There is no point setting your mind on a specific cap badge if the closest unit is 150 miles away

 

Trades - don't worry about the trade side of things. If you join the REME (as an example) then the relevant unit will take you through the various courses to 'trade-train' you to the desired level required to fulfill you basic job specification. The careers office is talking shit but that's no change there. The Army Careers Offices (ACIOS's) are also full of people that no one wants - trust me!

 

Operational deployments? Is it something you wish to do and do you have a job (or employer) that would allow the MOD to take you away for 9-months. A TA tour can be 4-6 months (normally 6-months) but you will normally need an extra few months for pre-deployment training and decompression requirements (i.e. end of tour stuff to make sure you haven't lost the plot).

 

Specific trade training - What do you do as a job now in civillian street and can you apply your current trade to the military. If not, then what challenge are you seeking?

 

If I was looking at a TA appointment then I would look at either the Royal Engineers or Royal Military Police. Both will give you great exposure to real-time operations while giving you a handy trade to fall back on.

 

Finally, if you wish to convert to Reg service then the TA will give you a solid grounding as long as you have attained the necessary reports during your TA service. TA service does not count for much when you apply to join the regular army and you would have to revert back to a soldier rank prior to you commencing training.

 

Any questions then please ask away;)

[Andy-No-Knee]

Interesting range of answers here....

 

Ok, It has been a few years since I was involved in the recruiting side of like at my TA unit, I'm now on a 2 years RTC posting (teaching potential TA officers all they need to know before they attend RMAS).

 

 

Contracts, you sign up for three years, but are allowed at any time to say 'I'm off' and leave unless a mobilisation letter has been sent to you. When you leave there is no reservist requirement, unless you have a very gucci skill (doctor etc). The main reason for the 3 years is for employment law. The TA is classed as casual labour so you dont get paid pentions (a contentious subject in the TA to some) but get a annual bounty (taxfree) instead. The basic reason why the TA is classed as casual??? Because the TA are not required to go a set amount of hours/days per week. A part time job could be say 8 hours a week, but you have to turn up and do the 8 hours or you are fired. Due to the nature of the TA demands the high command realise that real life can and does get in the way there are no min hours requirement. The TA do it in their spare time, after thier real jobs, the ones that pay the mortgauge, the car bills etc so it is taken into account with time demands.

 

Physical fitness.

 

Basically, you can never be too fit. When I joined as a Para back in 86 I was doing my 3 mile run in 17mins dead. I was still told I was slow!!!

When I left the regs and went to the TA and joined the unit I'm with now I was doing 5.5miles in 30 mins over hilly ground, and again I felt I could do better and there were lots in my unit that were doing better.

 

Get down the gym and out on the roads running. If there are forests and woods near you then that would be better to run on than roads for your knees. But the fitness demands on you will depend on the type of unit you are going to, as said above the requirement for TA Para is higher than TA RLC.

 

Training.

 

You will have to do basic training and then role to arm training. You will be sent to an RTC, for 6-9 weekends, depending on the unit you are joining. 6 weekends for other arms, 9 for infantry. Then the infantry go to Catterick for Combat Infantry Training (CIC) and the other units go to their depot locations for thier stuff, eg Grantham for the RLC.

 

As long as you qualifications are up to it then any join in the TA is open to you if you live near enough to the unit that does it. You will be trained up to do it. Dont decide you want to join the Int Corps if you can bearly read.

 

After the 6/9 weekends and your role to arm training you will be back at your normal unit and useable, then you will go on weekend exercises and 2 week exercises doing your role. If you are unable to fulfill the training requirement to get training up to role then you will find life fairly boreing as you will be unable to do much, so will basically guard the gate, or be on stag all the time.

 

Visit the local TA units to you, ask to speak to the Recruiting Officer at each unit or get his/her number and call them. They WILL want to hear from you as the Army/TA is very low on numbers at the moment. The TA/Army is bad at passing messages on to other units so dont be suprised if the ACIO dont have the correct information. Dont get dispondant, remember that the person you are trying to talk to is like you, a TA Solider and has a normal job.

 

As Andrew says, any questions please ask.

[Tourniquet]

I joined 4 Para which is the TA for the Parachute Regiment because I thought these guys are the elite and I loved the whole 'shock troop' thing. I found out pretty quick that the most important thing with these guys is physical fitness first of all as they train you up to know what you need to know and if you aren't up to scratch you won't pass P Company, simple as that.

 

I signed up for a set period of time which I forget now with the understanding I could leave at any time providing I put it in writing and returned all equipment and attended a minimum of I think 20 odd days a year plus 2 weeks camp which your work must allow under a Reserve Forces act (paid also). I was to attend every Tuesday night at White City and every other weekend for the main training. Tuesday was usually just a group fitness thing such as a heart attack inducing run at pace or circuit training but occasionally we would get a taste of what we would be doing at the weekend such as map reading etc.

 

I loved it but my main problem was my fitness. I went from doing nothing to joining a regiment I think are second only to the SAS. 58% of SAS soldiers are ex-Para which goes to show how good they are. I found the constant training too much as I had to work extra hard to get myself up to the level alot of the Cadre was already at so I could then go on to become that bit better to get through. As a result I didn't finish the Cadre and recently I've been regretting it and I plan to go back. In the Para's you don't get 'given' a beret you have to earn the beret and the right to be in the Maroon Machine and it's something I really want.

 

My only reservations are 1- the rules of engagement are bullshit and 2- I question why I should fight for our dogshite government when funding and equipment etc are so dire and no one cares about the soldiers.

 

If I had finished I would first train up as a infantry soldier as everyone does then after passing CRC which is a two week stint in the field I'd then eventually go on to P-Company. Once through that I'd be a Paratrooper and not just 'in' the Parachute Regiment. After that it would be off to Brize for my wings and I swear if I ever got through all that there would be no way I'd bottle it at the door lol. I would of had the chance to go to Trashcanistan in January of this year in support of 2 Para who have been taking a large number of fatalities recently and it would have been something I would have jumped at. You join to go on operations, otherwise what's the point, it's just an empty promise.

 

That's how it would have been for me. Phys is down to yourself although obviously when you're with them they help, and then the training is down to them so long as you do your homework which I'd imagine is the same for most if not all regiments - the Para's are just that bit tougher due to P-Coy requirements. It's deffinitely true though that the regs, even the 4 Para lads that are through and 'in' deffinitely look down at you and don't want much to do with you in general but I don't see it as so bad. All you have to do is work hard and prove to them and yourself you belong to the Maroon Machine and passing P-Coy is an instant welcome. It's the second hardest soldiering course after only SAS selection and I applaud those that can do it.

 

I admire everyone in the British Army whether they are regs or TA and certainly regardless of Regiment and I believe we have the finest army in the world despite our size. America may have all the gear but they certainly have no idea compared to our lot. If they had the funding and pay they deserve they would be almost invincible lol. I have the Help the Heroes bands and donate to the charities and I think it's important for everone to support them. Regardless if you agree with why they are there, the fact is they are and we should support them.

 

For everyone in the armed forces hats off to you and as I was told by 3 Para's Colour Sgnt anyone who can do this job and hold down a regular job deserves extra respect because he said he certainly wouldn't do it. Full time or nothing so don't let anyone put you off just because it's the TA. One job I would never fancy doing personally though is the engineering such as building sangers and bases from scratch in the desert. I'd rather turn up and shoot the shite out the Taliban once defences are up lol - EXTRA respect to those guys.

[tbourner]

I went from doing nothing to joining a regiment I think are second only to the SAS.

 

What about the SBS?

[ivan]

They're not Army.

[Tourniquet]

SBS are SAS soldiers I think, they just go to and train the boat troop. Originally when they were established at some point David Stirling wanted seperate mountain and boat troops that were cross trained. I'd say the SBS are double 'ard bar stewards as well though lol

[Vaughany]

I have just watched the P company video, funny thing, I served with a couple of the instructors back in the 90's. When I left the forces I was approached by the TA. In my experience as a regular soldier, the TA that we would get attached were not up to the task and these had passed P company and were considered well trained by TA standards.

 

Dont get me wrong some were good and were asked to transfer into a regaular battalion but the most were very poor and I would of rather they were not with us. To be a good soldier you have to live it 24/7 not saturday and sundays.

 

Anybody who wants to join the TA, ask yourself why? If you want a life in the forces, commit and join the regulars, if you want a hobby, buy a supra and mod it. For me the forces is not a hobby, treat it as such as you will come severly unstuck.

[SupraAyf]

I have just watched the P company video, funny thing, I served with a couple of the instructors back in the 90's. When I left the forces I was approached by the TA. In my experience as a regular soldier, the TA that we would get attached were not up to the task and these had passed P company and were considered well trained by TA standards.

 

Dont get me wrong some were good and were asked to transfer into a regaular battalion but the most were very poor and I would of rather they were not with us. To be a good soldier you have to live it 24/7 not saturday and sundays.

 

Anybody who wants to join the TA, ask yourself why? If you want a life in the forces, commit and join the regulars, if you want a hobby, buy a supra and mod it. For me the forces is not a hobby, treat it as such as you will come severly unstuck.

 

I think this post by Vaughany puts the whole TA-thing in to true perspective.

 

Personally, I would rather have my son’s Teddy Bear protecting my arse than have a TA bloke. I know where I stand with the Teddy Bear and he definitely has more operational skills than the TA fella.

[Vaughany]

I think this post by Vaughany puts the whole TA-thing in to true perspective.

 

Personally, I would rather have my son’s Teddy Bear protecting my arse than have a TA bloke. I know where I stand with the Teddy Bear and he definitely has more operational skills than the TA fella.

 

To clarify, like I said some TA guys are good but the majority are well below standard. an example of the good are Chris Ryan (Bravo 2 Zero patrol member, and the one that got away) he was not a regular soldier he was TA, 23 SAS but passed regular selection and joined 22 - he was good.

 

TA in the army for me is the goverment conning us, they are not not doing enough by looking after, offring good pay etc to attract men and woman into the forces.

 

The TA are the same as specials and the PCSO, thay have a role but it is limited and if you were to ask the regulars, in my experience they would rather not serve alongside them.

[tbourner]

SBS are SAS soldiers I think, they just go to and train the boat troop.

 

Yep;

Candidates must first undergo Special Forces Selection with the SAS before continuing to SBS selection.

Not really that relevant I know, just that you were making out that the SAS are the best of everything, and I'm picky so just thought I'd say that the SBS are better.

[DJButler]

Cheers for the info bud, so what is it you are do?

As for the training (fitness etc) is it down to yourself to make sure your fit etc, only as you said said its only one evening a week, which im guessing may be used for other training? How is it stuctured, eg do you spend all your time at the begining working on your fitness or is that expected of you in your own time, and the time spent in the evening is other training.

Sorry for all the questions, only I have been given 2 dvds and a brochure on the TA, ontop of going into the careers office and to be honest, all the details is very vague. It generally just concentrates on what jobs you can do in the army, and very little about the process and training regaurding the TA.

 

Just find your nearest T.A Unit and go along, you will find out more in a very short space of time, also as an ex regular i have every respect for anyone who volunteers and believe we all do our best using the training/equipment we are given, be that by God or the M.O.D. It does however make sense that a full time soldier has had more training and experience and therfore should be able to respond better to difficult situations but as we are all individuals there are bound to be exceptions. However somebody somewhere will know better for sure!!!!!

 

Good luck

 

This is of course only my opinion and according to the wife it aint worth much anyway:innocent: