Originally Posted by brucewillis

If you are thinking of leaving I would suggest first considering a leave of absence (or whatever its called now). And second you have something in place aside from work or family that you can fill your time with.

Have thought about that but I think it would be bad for my TA career, I think I could get away with 'attendance lite', only attending trade training and comms exercises as I probably won't be missed on other training.

Sorted the 2nd already, started taking my eldest to Football/Rugby League

Originally Posted by JPALegend

Spoke to several SNCO's last night and it became apparent that 80% of them attended regularly for the cash (although most appeared to enjoy being in the TA). Although I knew a number weren't quite well off I was still astonished to find such a high percentage and of the remainder I know TA provides a large part of their income.

When did it all go wrong, am I the only one who doesn't rely on TA income. Worse was I found this info out as I am considering leaving the TA and the primary reason I was given to stay in was the cash factor. Only 1 said I should take some time off and then come back (overwork/stress being a reason to leave)

Interesting....

You seem to have the same broad brush and pot of tar as Polar......

Very interesting....

Originally Posted by BuggerAll

It also gives credence to that hoary old lie that the TA is full of people who take the money but won't deploy.

The group I mentioned earlier are constantly on tours (because it pays better than civvie job)

Approx £300 (assuming £30 per day) weekend is generally 2.25 days, drill night is 0.25. Plus bounty at end of the year (£450 year one?) If all relevant targets are met.

There has been a number of times I've been invited into various TAC for a bone weekend/event (folding some maps, carrying chairs back from a Mess do to storage, cleaning gats that should already be clean etc) and the bod at the end of the phone makes it sound like they're doing me a favour by allowing me to come in for some MTDs. The offer of the cash being the sole motivation they can think of.

drillnight is classed as 1/4 of a day X4= 1 days pay
friday classed as 1/2 a day X4= 2 days pay
saturday and sunday 2 days. X4= 8 days pay

total 11days at roughly £31 per day= £341 per month

however its rare to have something going on every wknd. plan for 2 max per month

Just to expand a bit on the "leave of absence" - TA Soldiers can now go Unposted for 2 (methinks) years like Officers have been able to do...

Put it this way - I'm not in any way, shape or form in it for the money, but if it was not for the money, I'd have a much harder time turning up every drill night, due to the travel costs involved. Because of the irregularity and inconsistency of pay, I rely on my part-time civvy job to fund my Military habit!

Originally Posted by JPALegend

Originally Posted by BuggerAll

It also gives credence to that hoary old lie that the TA is full of people who take the money but won't deploy.

The group I mentioned earlier are constantly on tours (because it pays better than civvie job)

Its a shame they didn't/won't take the opportunity deploy everyone. This would have hopefully cleared out many of this (former) type. I haven't deployed through choice however have no problem in going if mobilised.

Originally Posted by Mongoose

Just to expand a bit on the "leave of absence" - TA Soldiers can now go Unposted for 2 (methinks) years like Officers have been able to do...

The TA Unposted List (UPL) is open to all ranks and provides a short term posting solution for TA personnel who wish to remain in the TA but cannot remain on the held strength of their current unit or post, including those returning from FTRS. The UPL consists of 2 lists.

List 'A' involves attachment to units so that bounty can be earned. List 'B' is for individuals who wish to remain in the TA but do not wish to train, and will not involve any form of pay or bounty. Personnel on both lists remain liable for callout. Full details can be found in the TA Regulations 1978, Chapter 3, part 15.

Time Limits of the Lists

List A

List A is a short term list for TA officers and soldiers who for various reasons are between posts. Individuals are posted to the UPL A then attached to a convenient unit for training and bounty earning purposes, it is an individuals responsibility to find a unit willing to have them attached.

Th posting to the UPL A is for 12 months however it is possible to gain an extension to a maximum of 24 months total. Extensions are subject to agreement with the unit and authority from the Colonel TA & Res MCM Div.

List B

Individuals may be posted to the UPL B for a period of 12 months. No bounty earning opportunities exists while on this list. Extension on UPL B, up to a maximum total of 24 months, may be authorised by the Colonel TA & Res MCM Div in exceptional circumstances only.


http://www.army.mod.uk/servingsoldie...ficers_upl.htm

Originally Posted by BillytheBastard

My son is interested in joining his local TA while he is at college, how much would a TA soldier pick up a Month if he done 4 drill nights and 4 weekends? I kow there are countless variables but could anyone shed any light on a rough figure? Cheers.

If your son were to join the TAs he would first be in the New Entrant Rate of Pay until he's finished his training which can take anything between 3 months to a year to complete. At this point he would be paid £32.84 and when he attends training evenings he would be paid 1/4 of this.
However once he passes his training he will get a pay rise to something like £40/45. Also he will be able to claim travelling expenses.

The minimum commitment asked of him and to be able to qualify for the Bounty (couple hundred pounds for the first year given in April im not sure how much) is one weekend a month and one training night a week. Usually this is all the TA Units do but there can be exceptions.

Heres a helpful link to the rates of pay:
http://www.army.mod.uk/linkedfiles/s...08taorspay.pdf