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Confusion over what regiment to join

The lack of any existing sigs person as part of the unit would be ringing alarm bells for me. Its likely you would be expected to travel to another location where they are for your regular training. Similarly, where are the units radios? If they aren't at that location you will need to travel to where they are to maintain them. You are also looking at a longer training path - you will need to do CIC then be looking at another 2 weeks for the first signals course, then another for the next one up etc.

Fitness wise, signals in an infantry unit, you need to be very comfortable with the standards, as you will do just as much running about, but you'll be carrying a radio, batteries as well as the stuff everyone else is carrying. After a few courses you might end up spending more time near a command post but even then you'll be handling heavy kit like generators
 
The lack of any existing sigs person as part of the unit would be ringing alarm bells for me. Its likely you would be expected to travel to another location where they are for your regular training. Similarly, where are the units radios? If they aren't at that location you will need to travel to where they are to maintain them. You are also looking at a longer training path - you will need to do CIC then be looking at another 2 weeks for the first signals course, then another for the next one up etc.

Fitness wise, signals in an infantry unit, you need to be very comfortable with the standards, as you will do just as much running about, but you'll be carrying a radio, batteries as well as the stuff everyone else is carrying. After a few courses you might end up spending more time near a command post but even then you'll be handling heavy kit like generators
Thanks for this, that has certainly given me more information about it. I was thinking I would be expected to carry the same and more whilst out on a patrol or fire fight etc, so it would make it even more tough for me. I think I will just have to focus on infantry at this time, perhaps put Signals behind me for now and figure out any sort of further role from thereon. I might just enjoy being Infantry.....

This has really helped thanks all
 
Hi all

Currently a candidate for reserves. My local unit is Infantry with a Field Hospital Detachment. I was looking to join either Signals or RLC. So I attend my local barracks for my recruitment talk and they basically said I can't do RLC but I can do Signals as they have an attachment there however the only way I can join them is to join Infantry, do ITC at Catterick and then do the Signals training. This is obviously another kettle of fish and although my fitness is improving greatly to join, it's not at infantry level yet as was a bit of an unexpected level. As much as I hugely respect this role, I have to be realistic about what level I can train to and also sustain to be useful.

They said they are no longer taking Medics for their Coy as they are full.

The majority of medics at this barracks are female. Does this mean they all did their Infantry training to be able to attach themselves as Medics at this barracks? I can't believe they all managed that fitness level..... I had a female infantry warn me that they are just aiming to get the figures up and if they can get another female in the Infantry for their stats, they won't always tell you the full options available. Whether this is true I don't know but I don't want to be told this is my only option and fail my assessment centre for Infantry on the fitness issue etc.

I've been told I can't be at their barracks unless I take this route and it's 5 mins from home yet any other is over 1.5 hour away minimum, most of which are also Infantry and same issue. So not many options.

I randomly came across a YouTube video of a woman who recently applied as a reserve to to be a medic, is looking to join her local Rifles unit and be attached to them. However she said she only had to reach the fitness level of a medic, not the fitness level for Rifles/Infantry to be able to be in their unit.

I'm not able to attend my barracks due to Covid to have a proper discussion with someone but last time I spoke to them, it was Infantry or nothing and I was quite surprised. Can I not join their attached Signals unit and be attached to them without the infantry ITC route?

Any clarity on how this all works would be amazing help as I am not sure I am understanding the difference etc. Thanks.
Simple, join the Infantry Unit, do your training, do it well & once on the Bn, request a course ie BRU RRU Std2 etc. Become an assett to the Unit, volunteer for many courses, you'll have a great time and be appreciated by the CoC. Good luck.
 
Go Rifles and once your feet are under the table, see if you can opt for a specialisation such as signals platoon or a medical role of some description.

I’m hesitant to try and offer advice on recruitment because my time was well back in the last century so the above is just a suggestion.
 
Our Infantry Reserve unit is different to this...

Our pre-attested recruits attend the Assessment Centre with the sponsor from our Reserve unit. If they fail to meet the infantry requirements in terms of fitness, so long as they pass the minimum requirements to join the army, they are told to accept any job offered to them (chef, driver etc.) and they will still be able to train as an infantry soldier within our unit.

I guess the unit's incentive is to increase numbers.

But going back to the op's question, surely this goes to show that it is purely down to which unit you are joining as they seem to set their own rules.
 
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