Useful

**walrusboy** · 08-01-2012, 11:12

As we have Int Corps TA Lt Cols and WO1s, could a STAB take on the role of CO or RSM in a TA MI Battalion, on a two year contract, say?

If so what would be their TA and/or civvy career profile?

As I hold neither of the stated ranks I have no personal interest in this, other than to see the venom and outrage of the usual deranged suspects.

Please carry on.

**ironrations** · 08-01-2012, 11:34

Yes. Ability is in no way a limiting factor in the Corps.

**The_Duke** · 08-01-2012, 11:38

Ability, or lack thereof?

**tiger stacker** · 08-01-2012, 11:42

TA INF have had CO(v) past present and possibly in the future.

**Hobo-Ken** · 08-01-2012, 11:58

In principle yes (although I must add that I am not from an MI background). But, to do it properly, the issues of ABILITY and AVAILABILITY are critical. The people selected need to have both.

The strongest TA candidates are usually too busy with serious civvy commitments (senior job, own business, whatever) to be able to put in the necessary time. I have served under both Reg and TA COs and in most cases (but not all) the former have been the pick of the bunch.

**The_Duke** · 08-01-2012, 12:54

With FTRS not an option for a TA CO, you are left with the need to find someone who is able to do well over 100 days per year around their normal occupation, many of which will be during the normal working week.

Whilst possible, this seriously limits the number of applicants. Once quality is then factored in, you may not have a genuinely viable TA candidate very often. Does a second rate TA CO trump a good quality Regular one just because they have a better knowledge of the TA?

Again, not Int Corps, but I have never had a TA CO or RSM, and am very happy with that state of affairs.

**Colonel_Ranter** · 08-01-2012, 13:18

I wasn't in MI either. Unfortunately, the offer (in the Infantry anyway) used to be that instead of paying you Lt Col's pay 24/7/365 for the tenure of your appointment (which still made you cheaper than a Regular) they would pay you for 4 days a week, the idea being that you could do all your COing from Friday to Monday. Not really a good enough deal to make you think about resignation/sabbatical from a civilian job. OK for those with the flexibility of self-employment, though. I don't know if that has changed, but I would have thought that the Infantry (and probably the Int Corps) now needs all its TA commands for regular officers.

**swampmonster** · 08-01-2012, 13:22

Originally Posted by tiger stacker

TA INF have had CO(v) past present and possibly in the future.

Yes we have had....But what was the outcome of the CO(v) when compared with a Regular CO?..Most i have seen end up with the Trg Major running the show, not all, but Most.

**rebel_with_a_cause** · 08-01-2012, 13:53

Could only work on an FTRS type basis. I know in the past it was done purely on days but frankly those days are thankfully long behind us and cannot and should not return. Having said that, I am open to offers.

**slipperman** · 08-01-2012, 15:07

Ex R SIGNALS, but have served with the TA, so feel qualified to comment. There are certainly opportunities for TA Officers to achieve Commanding Officer status, subject to them achieving the usual qualifications and having the ability (hopefully not gained purely on time served and no other options being available!). However, in the case of the RSM being found from within the TA ranks; this would seriously impact on the Regular Army A1 promotion board across all cap badges and would further reduce the opportunity for quality WO's to achieve the ultimate rank. I believe a number of quality TA Warrant Officers are serving/have served as SVWO or similar, so I personally would retain the status quo.