T.A. being shut down/pensioned off?

**Command_doh** · 10-06-2009, 11:17

I've heard from RHQ sources that there is no money left for the T.A. in the current economic climate, with ongoing Op's and now that the Regular Army is supposed to be fully manned now for years to come (backlog for basic training courses at the ATR's, Infantry courses being sent to T.A. bases to complete training), there isn't really a need for "old, fat, undeployable wasters" to be paid to do nothing ( the way I was told, not my opinion, obviously).

We are being told that 19 days training (Specialist) is all thats being allowed now, and bids have to be submitted for additional manned training days. Planned weekends (Adventure training, shooting, anything deemed non - essential) have been sacked - in some cases after TSI's have been sent out, and there is talk about no money for Sports/Competition involvement either. Heard that recruitment has been seriously scaled back too.

So is this a reverse of the age extension to 55 and a sure sign that the axe will fall sooner rather than later? An end to seniors/biffs/Officers troughing at their doss weekends and claiming for doing Fcuk all? Will it now be 'deploy or leave'? Until the economic situation improves and people go back to 'proper' and less dangerous jobs and the manning crisis returns as is inevitable - only there may not be a Reserve at that point...

**msr** · 10-06-2009, 11:19

Originally Posted by Command_doh

I've heard from RHQ sources that there is no money left for the T.A. in the current economic climate,

[snip]

and there is talk about no money for Sports/Competition involvement either. Heard that recruitment has been seriously scaled back too.

I presume they are referring to the LM from Gen Parker of 22 May.

It lists some mandatory spending cuts and some discretionary ones and is intended to address this year's budget.

It is not all doom and gloom, but some of the 'nice-to-haves' will be C1 or scrapped.

MSR
P.S. TSIs?

**Command_doh** · 10-06-2009, 11:25

Training Support Instructions, sent with the W.I.'s/call ins.

**msr** · 10-06-2009, 11:28

WIs?

**Command_doh** · 10-06-2009, 11:29

Warning Orders.

**msr** · 10-06-2009, 11:31

Used to be simple:

Warning Order -> Admin Order -> Exercise Orders.

MSR

**saladdoger** · 10-06-2009, 14:36

Looks like people will have to do some army stuff at weekends. Might put an end to the track suit soldiers that you never see but have done seventy days of skiing, and parachuteing.

The question is will these C1 days extend to regimental shooting teams.

**Barrack Room Lawyer** · 10-06-2009, 14:42

Originally Posted by saladdoger

The question is will these C1 days extend to regimental shooting teams.

We have been told shooting is safe for next year, I wonder if the number of teams fielded will magically multiply? :D

**The_Duke** · 10-06-2009, 14:53

As AOSP has moved towards competition shooting being closer aligned to operational shooting, I see no reason for it not to.

I never had time for the old style of competition shooting as it favoured the technically competent shot over the effective battle shot, but it is now moving towards the balance being rectified. That said, range time and ammunition spent gaining awards for the select few still does not balance with spending the same time/ammunition for the general improvement of the masses.

More LFTT less DivSAAM for me, thanks very much.

**msr** · 10-06-2009, 14:56

Originally Posted by The_Duke

More LFTT less DivSAAM for me, thanks very much.

I think we will see more of the former and a less of the latter.

MSR

**Bravo_Bravo** · 10-06-2009, 15:05

Been speaking about the budget cuts; given that RTCs seem safe, watch the number of units that, all of a sudden, find that they *can* send blokes to train their own recruits... ( cough, SLIME, splutter MONKEYS... )

**One_of_the_strange** · 10-06-2009, 15:09

Originally Posted by Bravo_Bravo

Been speaking about the budget cuts; given that RTCs seem safe, watch the number of units that, all of a sudden, find that they *can* send blokes to train their own recruits... ( cough, SLIME, splutter MONKEYS... )

I can't speak for the monkeys but you're not going to see a sudden influx from us - the bodies don't exist, as you should know by now. If anything it will get worse as we start to push everyone into operational taskings at weekends.

**saladdoger** · 10-06-2009, 15:12

So there is no more money in the kitty for carrots. Looks like it will be all stick from know on. It used to be a nice scratch behind the ears to do something fun and get some of your tax back as you did it.