Speaking to a lad in 4 Yorks this weekend, he mentioned you now had to be class 1 before you can deploy???

So if he is correct infantry training is rather longer than I'd seen posted on here and you have to be trained on all weapon system.

Which would imply any TA Signals soldier needs to be class 2 before they can be deployed (I'm not talking about the class 3-2 workbooks crap but the not yet implemented modular training system). [In Sigs this means they are trained - in theory - to the same level as a fresh out the factory recruit, I've not seen anything say they must be class 2 to deploy but expect it]

Any other corps changed their training along these lines??

Originally Posted by polar

Speaking to a lad in 4 Yorks this weekend, he mentioned you now had to be class 1 before you can deploy???

So if he is correct infantry training is rather longer than I'd seen posted on here and you have to be trained on all weapon system.

Mate, there have been numerous references to this on these boards. Came in at the back end of last year from DInf that all TA Infantrymen coming out of training be Class 1 standard before they can be deployed to Afghanistan. This effectively means that they will have to achieve the same training as their Regular counterparts and so realistically will require at least a year to a year and half of dedicated training.

To give you an example of how this has impacted TA Infantry units, our battalion is down to provide IRs for our Regular battalions on Herrick 15. To that end, the next year is entirely geared towards training the Riflemen up to the requisite standard. This change has come about by the intensity of close combat faced by Infantrymen in theatre and is frankly a welcome development.

Originally Posted by RP578

Originally Posted by polar

Speaking to a lad in 4 Yorks this weekend, he mentioned you now had to be class 1 before you can deploy???

So if he is correct infantry training is rather longer than I'd seen posted on here and you have to be trained on all weapon system.

Mate, there have been numerous references to this on these boards. Came in at the back end of last year from DInf that all TA Infantrymen coming out of training be Class 1 standard before they can be deployed to Afghanistan. This effectively means that they will have to achieve the same training as their Regular counterparts and so realistically will require at least a year to a year and half of dedicated training.

To give you an example of how this has impacted TA Infantry units, our battalion is down to provide IRs for our Regular battalions on Herrick 15. To that end, the next year is entirely geared towards training the Riflemen up to the requisite standard. This change has come about by the intensity of close combat faced by Infantrymen in theatre and is frankly a welcome development.

Same in my lot (and our sister Battalion), for 13,14 & 15!.........The Jocks are in for a busy couple of Years...

I dont see a bad side to the PDT levels...can only be a good thing compared to some PDT ive seen in the past...

Well, I can say with utmost frustration that this is certainly the case, and it is precisely this which is holding me back from getting on a tour.
It's only frustrating as the guys I went through training with were deployed almost straight afer CIC, whereas I was "Left off the list" thanks to admin error. That was almost a year ago, and It seems I'll be waiting another year again to deploy. (As per the grade one training coming in for our battalion from April onwards, with Herrick 15 in 2011)

So that will make it 3 years from attestation to deployment, in my case.

Should have just joined the bloody regulars

Originally Posted by Hedphelym

Well, I can say with utmost frustration that this is certainly the case, and it is precisely this which is holding me back from getting on a tour.
It's only frustrating as the guys I went through training with were deployed almost straight afer CIC, whereas I was "Left off the list" thanks to admin error. That was almost a year ago, and It seems I'll be waiting another year again to deploy. (As per the grade one training coming in for our battalion from April onwards, with Herrick 15 in 2011)

So that will make it 3 years from attestation to deployment, in my case.

Should have just joined the bloody regulars

can you not head out with another Unit ? if your on PDT you get the funding...means you could get out this year...

Ping! Know who you are now :P

Didn't you believe me or something?! I'm hurt you had to get validation from arrse!

Edited to add:
Atleast you got the Regiments name right when you made this post!

Originally Posted by Hedphelym

So that will make it 3 years from attestation to deployment, in my case.

Should have just joined the bloody regulars

Yes, this has already been identified as being a potential problem for recruitment. As much as this may surprise the doom-mongers (ARRSE TA Boards passim) the prospect of deploying as an IR with the Regs to Afghanistan has become a major incentive in attracting young recruits.

Many chose the TA over the Regulars as they didn't want to have an Army career (although of course many change their minds once in) and some had already started on other careers. They just wanted some action and to be a part of the war that they've been watching on their evening news/Ross Kemp for the past few years. The advantage of the TA was of course that it could get you out there quicker with the minimal fuss.

With the current training package though, a recruit is looking at about two years training before being mobilised when he will then undergo a further three to four months PDT with his deploying battalion. As off putting as this might be to the young guns, I honestly believe that it is the right thing to do that will directly assist in saving lives and limbs.

Originally Posted by RP578

Originally Posted by Hedphelym

So that will make it 3 years from attestation to deployment, in my case.

Should have just joined the bloody regulars

Yes, this has already been identified as being a potential problem for recruitment. As much as this may surprise the doom-mongers (ARRSE TA Boards passim) the prospect of deploying as an IR with the Regs to Afghanistan has become a major incentive in attracting young recruits.

Many chose the TA over the Regulars as they didn't want to have an Army career (although of course many change their minds once in) and some had already started on other careers. They just wanted some action and to be a part of the war that they've been watching on their evening news/Ross Kemp for the past few years. The advantage of the TA was of course that it could get you out there quicker with the minimal fuss.

With the current training package though, a recruit is looking at about two years training before being mobilised when he will then undergo a further three to four months PDT with his deploying battalion. As off putting as this might be to the young guns, I honestly believe that it is the right thing to do that will directly assist in saving lives and limbs.

As a side note standards for promotion have changed also. You need to be a class 1 rifleman, completed Matts for that year, and completed a Combat Sigs Cadre to promote to lance jack and must have SAAI for Corporal - this is our Battalion atleast, i'd imagine this is happening across the whole TA Inf also?

In additon to the PJNCO cadre for Pte - LCpl and SCTC for LCpl to Sgt, presumably?

Originally Posted by The_Duke

In additon to the PJNCO cadre for Pte - LCpl and SCTC for LCpl to Sgt, presumably?

Of course! These were in addition to the normal courses previously required.