Useful

**Toysoldier_1967** · 25-09-2008, 12:07

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Originally Posted by interestednovice

I'm thinking of joining my local TA infantry unit (7th btn The Rifles).

I understand that the official upper age limit for joinin the TA is 43, but is 33 too old in practice to join the TA infantry for somebody with no prior military service? I get the impression that youth is more highly prized in the combat arms than it might be in more technical and support roles.

I've been reading various threads here on fitness standards and I believe that I can meet the standards for infantry with consistent training in my own time.

Thanks in advance.

Mate, even 4 Para is recruiting up to 44 with previous Military experiance. For people like yourself with no previous experiance the limit is 34.

Go for it - and good luck! :D

That's not entirely true - age limit is 43 regardless

Quote from TA Regs
TA Group A
1. New Entrants.
a. Minimum Age. Young soldiers aged 17-17½ years may be enlisted into all corps.
b. Maximum Age. The upper age limit for enlistment for all new entrants to Group A, with effect from the 1 April
2007 is 43 years; candidates are to be attested before their 43rd birthday. Exceptions to this ruling for soldiers in
specific employments are shown at paras 9 - 15.
c. Final Approval of Enlistment. The officer in charge of TA & Res MCM Div is the sole authority for the final
approval of enlistments and re-engagements (see paras 5.090, 5.144 and 5.146).

**Outstanding** · 25-09-2008, 12:19

Age is only a factor if it effects your ability to perform your duties. Frankly I think that there is a need for caution as yiour likely peer group will be much younger and you might struggle, but it is your call.

**interestednovice** · 25-09-2008, 15:08

Yeah. Only one way to find out I suppose. Big part of why I'm interested in this is to see if I can.

**Werewolf** · 25-09-2008, 22:29

Originally Posted by Toysoldier_1967

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Originally Posted by interestednovice

I'm thinking of joining my local TA infantry unit (7th btn The Rifles).

I understand that the official upper age limit for joinin the TA is 43, but is 33 too old in practice to join the TA infantry for somebody with no prior military service? I get the impression that youth is more highly prized in the combat arms than it might be in more technical and support roles.

I've been reading various threads here on fitness standards and I believe that I can meet the standards for infantry with consistent training in my own time.

Thanks in advance.

Mate, even 4 Para is recruiting up to 44 with previous Military experiance. For people like yourself with no previous experiance the limit is 34.

Go for it - and good luck! :D

That's not entirely true - age limit is 43 regardless

Quote from TA Regs
TA Group A
1. New Entrants.
a. Minimum Age. Young soldiers aged 17-17½ years may be enlisted into all corps.
b. Maximum Age. The upper age limit for enlistment for all new entrants to Group A, with effect from the 1 April
2007 is 43 years; candidates are to be attested before their 43rd birthday. Exceptions to this ruling for soldiers in
specific employments are shown at paras 9 - 15.
c. Final Approval of Enlistment. The officer in charge of TA & Res MCM Div is the sole authority for the final
approval of enlistments and re-engagements (see paras 5.090, 5.144 and 5.146).

The 4 Para website sets the age limit at 44 with previous military experiance.

The only exception is Them Reserve; 34 is the maximum(again, taken from the UKSFR website).

**LondonCalling** · 26-09-2008, 08:20

Check your PMs (Personal Messages)

**coax-on** · 26-09-2008, 08:30

Originally Posted by Werewolf

Originally Posted by interestednovice

I'm thinking of joining my local TA infantry unit (7th btn The Rifles).

I understand that the official upper age limit for joinin the TA is 43, but is 33 too old in practice to join the TA infantry for somebody with no prior military service? I get the impression that youth is more highly prized in the combat arms than it might be in more technical and support roles.

I've been reading various threads here on fitness standards and I believe that I can meet the standards for infantry with consistent training in my own time.

Thanks in advance.

Mate, even 4 Para is recruiting up to 44 with previous Military experiance. For people like yourself with no previous experiance the limit is 34.

Go for it - and good luck! :D

Actually the upper age for all TA units is 43 whether they have previous or not. The only exception that I know of is UKSF(R) which is 32 (or 34 with previous). Obviously as we don't have any 4 Para on our patch I cannot vouch for them but in line with the rest of the Army shouldn't it be 43?

**angular** · 26-09-2008, 11:39

Just remember that, after 30ish it's harder to recover from a bad injury or illness, so work hard to keep fit and healthy. I was beating the 18-year-olds on CFT's etc until I got to 34, then I fell ill and had to spend a week in hospital. After that, I just couldn't get back my old levels of fitness and speed. Avoid injury and keep healthy!