How far is too far?

[flatfoot77]

I'm looking to join the army reserve in the near future and am looking at potential units in my area. Local choices are limited to infantry or REME. However, infantry at 37 might be a stretch in any case (but willing to corrected).

One that has caught my eye is an RA unit which seems to have everything I'm after. The downside is that it is an hour away. I think this is doable but is this too far to be really integrated into the unit?

Is there anyone here with experience of belonging to a distant unit?

Also, with work and family commitments I could usually manage 2 evenings and a weekend a month (as well as the annual camp). I know this meets the minimum of 27 days but what is the norm? If I'm going to do this I want to do it properly.

Any advice (or well intentioned piss takes) appreciated

 

[putteesinmyhands]

I suspect that you'll struggle if you can only be available for 2 evenings and a weekend per month; there's not much call for people who can only manage the "minimum" attendance.

Look out for a nationally-recruited unit which requires "only" Annual Camp and 2 weekends (no Drill Nights) - though you'll find that you'll be asked to attend rather more than that. Find a unit that can employ your civilian trade - units are pretty diverse in their requirements so there's probably one or more that fits. The downside is that you could have to travel a long distance - a couple of hundred miles is not unknown. Then again, you may be lucky and have one on your doorstep.

Despite the less frequent training commitment, nationally-recruited (or specialist) units are among the most sought-after units in a conflict so don't equate the fewer training days to a lesser liability.

 

[usmarox]

Well, I commute from Bristol to Cardiff for drill nights, and I only manage two drill nights out of three on account of my shift pattern. Never heard a murmur of complaint about my attendance. Or, indeed, my travel claim...

 

[Bravo_Bravo]

However, infantry at 37 might be a stretch

Its about the average IQ. Don't worry.

 

[The_Duke]

An hour is nothing if the role is what you want - 10 minutes is too much if you hate it. Over a number of TA centres, my shortest journey has been 30 minutes outside of rush hour, and up to 2 hours pretty standard. I would guess the average at my company was around an hour.

Most OCs will be happy with someone doing two training nights and one weekend per month, as long as you kept them informed and tried to do the priority weekends.

Your challenge will be the time commitment required for recruit training.

 

[lacrabat]

The REME will welcome you with open legs, they are really desperate to recruit people to replace the trained ones they are currently losing because of their empire building scheme.
What's more important to you though? Role or location?

 

[flatfoot77]

Gents,

Thanks for all yor replies.

Putteesinmyhands; had a look at specialist units and being a civilian bobby (I know, I know but believe it or not I'm actually not an officious twat) the only option is something called the ARRC MP Bn. Sounds a bit like a busman's holiday

Usmarox, the duke and lacrabat; based on what you've both said this sound doable so I'll give the unit a call and get the ball rolling. Appreciate your comment about the commitment for recruit training but I think I can make it work. Apart from the summer challenge(?), how quickly can the initial training be done?

Bravo bravo; would love to disagree but havering worked witha few ex infantrymen on my shift.............

 

[putteesinmyhands]

Putteesinmyhands; had a look at specialist units and being a civilian bobby (I know, I know but believe it or not I'm actually not an officious twat) the only option is something called the ARRC MP Bn. Sounds a bit like a busman's holiday

You're looking at it too logically. Can you drive? Yes? Then you can join any of the specialist units as a driver. In doing so, you'd release a specialist to get on with his specialism instead of having to drive another specialist somewhere. As a force multiplier, that's just as good to the unit as having another specialist join. Then you get some signals training, opening another slot for a driver.

Before you know it, you're a PTI, Expedition Team Leader, Directing Staff and goodness knows what else.

 

[lacrabat]

Behave.....