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Territorial Army (TA) - Joining Instructions

Step 3: Choose The Right Path

Territorial Army (TA) – Joining Instructions

The TA celebrated its centenary in 2008, with a history that has seen TA soldiers fighting alongside regular soldiers in major conflicts since its inception – however, it is only in the last decade that the TA has gained similar levels of respect as their Regular Army counterparts.

The Strategic Defence Review of 1998 saw the TA suffer draconian manpower cuts. Previously established with 33 Battalions the Defence Review saw the TA reduced to 15 Battalions comprising a total of 67 Companies!

With the TA’s role seen as a home defence role, and the requirement for them to be mobilised by Royal Prerogative, as was the case in the two World Wars, the TA was not used during the 1982 Falklands Conflict. With the exception of 205 (Scottish) General Hospital RAMC (V), based at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and volunteer TA personnel the Territorial Army was not widely used during the 1991 Gulf War.

The Reserve Forces Act 1996 changed the manner in which members of the Reserve Forces could be used. Individual TA personnel could now be mobilised for deployment with the exception of those in full time education or other compelling compassionate reasons. Employment law regarding the protection of civilian employment for those compulsorily mobilised was also established.

With the Reserve Forces Act 1996 passing into law it was possible for the TA to give greater support to the Regular Army when deployed on either exercises or operations on a world-wide basis – and to such an extent that nearly 10,000 reservists, mainly TA personnel, were deployed on Operation TELIC – the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Operations in Afghanistan, Operation HERRICK, have seen greater numbers of TA personnel deploy on 6 month operational tours in support of the Regular Army.

Various restrictions are placed on the deployment of TA personnel in that personnel cannot be used on operations for more than 12 months in any three year period.

Today the TA is the largest of all the Reserve Forces, operating to the same high standards and providing essential support to the Regular Army. Hence the term ‘One Army’ that brings both parts of the Army together.

People who are in the TA come from all walks of life…

Eligibility

>> To join the TA as an officer you need to:
• Be between 17 and 33 (Parental consent needed if under 18)
• Pass the Army medical test
• A minimum of 35 ALIS points for the best subjects at GCSE or equivalent
• Be either a British citizen; citizen of the British dependent territories; British subject under the British Nationality Act 1981; A citizen of Ireland or a citizen of a Commonwealth country (most Commonwealth citizens need to have been a resident for five years).

>>To join the TA as a soldier you need to:
• Be between 17 and 9 months and 43 (Parental consent needed if under 18) and ex-regulars up to 52
• Pass the Army medical and fitness test
• There are no formal qualifications needed except for technical roles
• Be either a British citizen; citizen of the British dependent territories; British subject under the British Nationality Act 1981; A British Protected Person; A citizen of Ireland or a citizen of a Commonwealth country (most Commonwealth citizens need to have been a resident for five years).

Army, Air Force, Navy, the Royal Marines or even the Special Forces? Read the information and take your pick. What will you be doing with your weekends in future?

Next:

Territorial Army: What commitment is involved?

Territorial Army Training

Territorial Army Pay Scales

Other units:

Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)

Royal Marines Reserve (RMR)

Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR)

The Special Forces Reserve

If you don’t think that the above hold enough of a challenge for you there is always the Special Forces Reserve. Couch potatoes need not apply! If you’re feeling strong, focused and determined enough you can find out more information in the SAS: Special Forces Section.