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**Judgekid** · 10-01-2012, 09:52

I've catching parts of the new tv campaign and noticed that there seems to be an emphasis on the TA being something that is done in your spare time.

Do they mean like a hobby?

I thought that the TA were trying to get away from the 'hobby' notion and more to being in the TA is 'a lifestyle choice'.

Thoughts appreciated.

**PrinceAlbert** · 10-01-2012, 10:14

Originally Posted by Judgekid

I've catching parts of the new tv campaign and noticed that there seems to be an emphasis on the TA being something that is done in your spare time.

Do they mean like a hobby?

Well it is.

And yes, exactly like a hobby.

**happy_as_a_hat** · 10-01-2012, 10:34

Interesting that they've rolled all four reserve services into one advert...trying to distace themselves from their regular counterparts?

**One_of_the_strange** · 10-01-2012, 10:37

Well, if you want to recruit people with civvy jobs then it will have to get done in their spare time. And hobby ... well, yes. One you have to take seriously, one that you have to make sacrifices for and be prepared for the brown envelope ... but something done from choice in one's spare time. Now I know the usual suspects will immediately bang on about how it's a second career and all that shite but it won't pay your mortgage or give you a pension, and you can jack it in when you like (short of being warned for or on ops). That sounds like a hobby to me.

The "lifestyle choice" line is wishful thinking peddled by those who want to see the TA become "Regular Lite" in a distinctly USNG style. Regardless of whether or not this is a good idea at the moment there is not the legislation, funding or political will to make this happen. And the more we ask soldiers to do the fewer we will recruit and retain - aka "creeping excellence". If we want to increase the size of the TA then we have to do it with a commitment sized such that more people can provide it.

**Screw_The_Nut** · 10-01-2012, 10:43

Link?

**PrinceAlbert** · 10-01-2012, 10:46

Originally Posted by Screw_The_Nut

Link?

It's a TV advert. It starts with something along the lines of "the average person spends 18 hours a week on the internet, I choose to do something different" or somesuch.

**Arse_Bandit** · 10-01-2012, 12:56

Originally Posted by PrinceAlbert

It's a TV advert. It starts with something along the lines of "the average person spends 18 hours a week on the internet, I choose to do something different" or somesuch.

Does that mean if I join the TA I have to give up lurking on ARRSE talking bollocks and calling BB a cunt?

**Judgekid** · 11-01-2012, 09:43

Is being in the TA not like a second job in the a similar vein to working in Tesco/ASDA/Sainsburys or working in pubs or hotels?

I understand that with the TA you may be warned for ops, but it is essentially the same as these other part time jobs. If you have spare time after that then you do hobbies eg sports, study etc.