What's in it for me?

The range of experiences and benefits that can be gained from the TA will reward you with a lot more than just money

It may sound surprising, but many TA soldiers find that their training is a great way of reducing the stress they encounter in the workplace. Being in the TA may be demanding, but it's also a great way of leaving all the pressures of your day job behind and getting immersed in something completely different.

Why think about work when you've got a completely different range of tasks to perform in the TA? These could include stripping down and cleaning rifles for the weekend's training exercise, or diagnosing a technical problem in one of your unit's four-tonne vehicles.
The unique challenges on offer in the TA will help you view your day-to-day life from a different perspective and offer a valuable insight into how the Army works.

Employers and the TA

TA-trained employees are widely regarded as being more committed, dependable, confident and responsible in the workplace, and while some may require a little extra time off" to fulfil their training commitment, they pay it back with interest thanks to the additional skills they gain.

Having membership of the TA on your CV is therefore a major advantage in today's increasingly competitive job market.

Your involvement in the TA reveals that you're a committed individual who can work well in a team. You're someone with a flexible outlook and an imaginative approach to problem solving. You will also possess proven leadership skills honed through the wide range of comprehensive training courses that the TA offers to its members.

But the benefits don't end there - every TA member has access to a Continuous Professional Development Plan and Personal Development Record. Together, these will help you to identify and develop your own particular skills and then translate them into universally recognised civilian qualifications - perhaps a diploma in management studies, an NVQ, a first aid certificate, or membership of a professional body.

To date, more than 6000 employers, accounting for over 70 per cent of the UK workforce, have recognised benefits such as these and have pledged their support to Britain's Reserve Forces. These include such names as Abbey National, Next, Powergen, Unilever and The NHS.

Pay and Bounty

As a member of the TA, you'll be paid for every day you serve. See below for current rates.
If you achieve the required standards, you'll also receive an annual tax-free bonus, known as a bounty.
The TA also pays its members a travel allowance, to cover the cost of travelling to and from TA centres. In addition, your uniform is free and the TA pays for any food you eat at its centres or whilst on training exercises.

Learning to be the best.

TA training is in-depth and comprehensive - it'll help you become a soldier, gain valuable trade skills and improve your fitness.

Basic Recruit Training

If you have no previous military experience when you join the TA, then you will need to learn the basics of being a soldier. Spread over a number of training weekends and, for Independent Units, midweek training evenings, your training will culminate in a two-week recruits course at one of the TA recruit training centres. Here, you will learn a range of skills including field craft, first aid, map reading and weapon handling.

Trade Training

Once you've mastered the military basics, you will be able to start your trade training. Here in the Barnstaple TAC you will train as a Tank Crewman, you can train on real and simulator Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks to become a tank Gunner or Loader, ready to reinforce Regular Army tank crews in battle.
Your trade training could mean learning to adapt your civilian skills to a military context and passing on that knowledge to the rest of your unit, developing entirely new skills or expanding on your area of expertise.

Adventurous Training

There are lots of opportunities for sport and adventure training within the TA that are open to everyone. Besides the usual sports such as football, rugby, orienteering, golf etc. that are available, there are also skiing, sub-aqua and many other sports that you will get the opportunity to take part in.

The Regiment takes part in Exercise Snow Fox each year, which is held in Verbier in the Swiss Alps. This is skiing for all levels from complete novices to potential Frans Clamers. It is all downhill skiing with the culmination of Slalom and Giant Slalom races at the end of the week. All instruction comes from the Swiss Ski School Instructors, and all equipment is provided.

While such activities are a great way to have fun and keep fit, there are other reasons the TA places such emphasis on them: adventurous training will build your self-confidence and help develop vital teamwork skills.

Who are we looking for?

• Men and Women between the ages of 17½ and 32 years of age. If you have had previous military service you may be allowed to join over 32 years of age.
  
  
• Young people who are looking for fun, adventure, friendship and a challenge.
  
  
• We are looking for:
  
  
  1. Tank Crewman i.e. Gunners and Loaders
  2. Land Rover and Bedford Drivers
  3. Radio Operators
  4. Medical Assistants
  5. Clerks
  6. Chef

You must be:

• Physically and medically fit with good eyesight.
  
  
• Able to pass a simple written entrance test.
  
  
• Aware that the Territorial Army’s role is to support the Regular Army, and therefore you may be called up for full time service in times of National Crisis.
  
  
• Sure that you can fulfil the commitment.

Your Commitment to the Territorial Army

THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF DAYS PER YEAR ARE:

In your first year

• 16 days, usually in the form of 1 specified weekend per month, plus an Annual Camp or Course in lieu of 15 days giving a total of 31 days.

In subsequent years

• 12 days, usually in the form of 1 specified weekend per month, plus an Annual Camp or Course in lieu of 15 days giving a total of 27 days.

When do we train?

Training is held every Wednesday evening at the TA Centres in Barnstaple and Paignton, between 7.30 and 9.30pm.

THE TERRITORIAL ARMY’S COMMITMENT TO YOU!

PAY AND EXPENSES:

You are paid for every day, or part day that you attend for training. Pay is in line with Regular Army Rates of Pay and at present are:

TROOPER ON ENLISTMENT	£31.32
TROOPER AFTER INITIAL TRAINING	£33.21
TROOPER WITH TANK QUALIFICATIONS	£36.88
LANCE CORPORAL	£47.23
CORPORAL	£60.78
SERGEANT	£69.09

If you live more than 2 miles from the TA Centre you will be paid travelling expenses for your return journey.

TAX FREE BOUNTY:

If you complete the correct attendance commitment, and pass all the necessary Training Directives, a tax-free lump sum is paid annually in April. The current Bounty payable is:

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR ENTRY?

Firstly you will need to attend the TA Centre and meet the Regimental Recruit Training Team who will explain the full process of recruitment. The next stage is:

• RECRUIT SELECTION WEEKEND

This is held at our Regimental Headquarters in Bovington Camp Dorset. The aim of the weekend is for you to get a flavour of what the TA is about, and for us to see if you are suitable for training. At the end of the weekend you will know if you are selected for training, or you may make the decision that it is not for you.

• MEDICAL

After selection a medical is arranged for you to attend at a local surgery in Barnstaple. On completion a hearing test is carried out, and if all is favourable you will be fully attested into the TA.

• ATTESTATION

This is where you are sworn into the TA and give your commitment to serve Queen and Country. From this point on you will be paid for all training carried out.

• WEEKEND 1 & 2

During these two weekends you will carryout basic military training including fitness, basic field craft, map reading, first aid, nuclear, biological and chemical defence. These two weekends will prepare you for your two weeks with the Regular Army.

• COMMON MILITARY SYLABUS RECRUIT (CMSR)

This is a two-week course held at one of the three Regular Recruit Training Centres, where you will deal in depth with the finer points of soldiering. Here you will cover in more depth the subjects learnt on weekend 1 & 2 plus other subjects.

• GAP TRAINING (Weekend 3 & 4)

This training is again carried out at Regimental Headquarters Bovington, and finalises all the training you have been taught. It can be carried out as a full week or split over two weekends.

Now that you have completed your basic training the fun starts and you can get down to some serious training as a tank gunner or loader, signals operator, driver, medical assistant, clerk, or chef. It is not all training; there is time for fun, sport and adventure training.

Click this link and provide your name, age, address including post code, telephone number and email address then send it to us and an Information pack complete with a DVD will be sent to you. Or you may wish to contact the Squadron by telephone on 01271-345471 and someone will be able to give you help and advice.