I wouldn't sign on to the TA (well, not now anyway).
I got called out to Iraq in 2006/7. I went to apply to the Paignton Reserve Unit. Saw a Sgt, who was some painter and decorator. He was keen, until I told him I had just done a tour (got called out, after I joined civvie street). His complete tone changed, kept putting up obstacles in the way. A few months later, I was in the pub. My mate's brother asked me to come over as there was some potential trouble. I went over and I shit you not there was a guy in his mid thirties dressed in full CS95 kit on a Saturday night, telling a couple of chavs that he was a solider, a TA soldier. After getting rid of the piss takers, I asked him what he was doing in full combat kit, but the guy said he was hoping to get some pussy by getting dressed up in his uniform. The guy even had his webbing on FFS. After speaking to my mate's brother, apparently the unit like to get dressed up in combats, but thought ex regulars were arrogant assholes. Despite my comment that some actual operational experience might be useful to the unit and actually legitimize it, it sounded like a bunch of Walter Mitty characters, so probably just as well I didn't enlist.
Having said that, I then went to join another TA unit recently. It got to the point that dealing with COVID and greasing the palms of local trusts to get PPE equipment in and ensuring we were getting all the monies due to us from COVID was taking up the majority of my time. The recruiting officer asked me what was more importing, enlisting in the TA or doing my regular job. To be fair it was a straight question, so he got a straight answer, but I think he wasn't expecting the answer he was given.
I think it is difficult for the TA to get quality recruits. I'm sure there are good units out there, I couldn't give the TA my full attention to be fair. Hopefully it has moved on from being a Walter Mitty club now.
