Transferring between regiments

[Uklad87]

Hello, just a general question which might be common knowledge but I can’t seem to find a clear answer anywhere so any help with this matter would be appreciated.

If you want to transfer regiments within the army do you have to serve at least 2 years at your current regiment before you can be considered transfer?

For example I’m currently in the RLC and am interested in retrading to the Signals regiment but I have only been in for 1 year. Do I have to wait until I have served 2 years within the RLC or am I able to request a transfer already?

Thank you for your time.

 

[The_Poltroon]

Why on earth would you want to transfer from an elite corps like the RLC into something as effeminate as the Royal Signals?

 

[Uklad87]

Because I’m interested in being a cyber warfare specialist then what I am currently which is a communications specialist. Also as I’m a rejoiner I partly look at the army though the eyes of a civie which has its advantages. So the days of “my regiment is better then your regiment” just doesn’t have any impact on me anymore.

 

[Arte_et_Marte]

Can anybody give an up to date and serious answer to this?

 

[A signaller]

Why on earth would you want to transfer from an elite corps like the RLC into something as effeminate as the Royal Signals?

Maybe the lad wants to step up to a more intelligent corps, where he can gain some interesting qualifications, learn a worthwhile trade, see more of the world, and generally better himself. Lets face it the RLC, not exactly dynamic challenging or high on the IQ list. ....... " Royal signals, It made me the man i am today......"

Stands back, ducks, and awaits some serious incoming...3..2..1.......

 

[Wetneck]

Trying to help in a serious way. Not personally but a very good friend of mine has gone through this recently. Transferring to Signals for exactly this reason after about 16 months from joining.

He's had a right nightmare of a time with it to be honest. They effectively made him leave and 'rejoin' but the rejoining process has been taking so long and with the ever present Covid excuse he's been working at a local Tesco for the past 8 months while all the paperwork and things are sorted.

My recommendation would be to try and get at least someone at the unit you want to go to on side and fighting things from their end before you start the process because otherwise you could end up in a mess like my friend.

Huge shame because he's got a lot of enthusiasm for the role he wants to go into and it's being bashed into oblivion by the inaction. He was led to believe it'd be a bit of waiting around for a few weeks then into a unit and do some courses to get him up to spec.

Good luck in it though. I'm sure if it's all organised well it'll work out for you.

 

[Uklad87]

Trying to help in a serious way. Not personally but a very good friend of mine has gone through this recently. Transferring to Signals for exactly this reason after about 16 months from joining.

He's had a right nightmare of a time with it to be honest. They effectively made him leave and 'rejoin' but the rejoining process has been taking so long and with the ever present Covid excuse he's been working at a local Tesco for the past 8 months while all the paperwork and things are sorted.

My recommendation would be to try and get at least someone at the unit you want to go to on side and fighting things from their end before you start the process because otherwise you could end up in a mess like my friend.

Huge shame because he's got a lot of enthusiasm for the role he wants to go into and it's being bashed into oblivion by the inaction. He was led to believe it'd be a bit of waiting around for a few weeks then into a unit and do some courses to get him up to spec.

Good luck in it though. I'm sure if it's all organised well it'll work out for you.

Thanks for the input, can I ask what your friend was in before he requested the transfer? I imagine it would be down the unit and regiment your currently working under and how much of a difficulty they want to make it for you to leave.

I currently don’t know anyone within the signals reg so that would be difficult to get someone to fight for my side of things unless I tried contacting someone directly I guess.

 

[Wetneck]

Thanks for the input, can I ask what your friend was in before he requested the transfer? I imagine it would be down the unit and regiment your currently working under and how much of a difficulty they want to make it for you to leave.

I currently don’t know anyone within the signals reg so that would be difficult to get someone to fight for my side of things unless I tried contacting someone directly I guess.

No problem. Sorry I can't be of any more help, but he was with the Rifles.
Is it worth asking your CO if they can help and support you?

 

[Daxx]

@Uklad87 I'll pm you.

 

[Uklad87]

Yeah I would ask the CO for support and try going through the correct means so it was organised properly but before I started the process I just needed to confirm or not if I had to wait 2 years.

Thanks again.

 

[chimera]

Are your education quals OK? You will need GCSE Maths + English as a minimum.

 

[AsterixTG]

You've put this question in 'Juniors' - you say you were in for a year and then been a civvie for enough time to have a different perspective on things, what sort of Soldiering had you done?

 

[Daxx]

The simple answer to the question is ask your Chain of Command, not a random internet forum

 

[Uklad87]

The simple answer to the question is ask your Chain of Command, not a random internet forum

Not a simple answer to ask my chain of command as if I show my hand that I’m interested in leaving the RLC it would effect my future reports and promotion chances I think. Find out a little info 1st then ask the chain of command is the better way.

 

[Uklad87]

You've put this question in 'Juniors' - you say you were in for a year and then been a civvie for enough time to have a different perspective on things, what sort of Soldiering had you done?

Yes because I’m classed as a Jnr soldier still. If your out for longer then 6 years you have to redo phase 1 & 2 training again. I was out for 8 years but when I served before I was in the infantry and served on Op herrick 6 & 11. Left in 2011 rejoined in 2019 as a RLC comm spec.

 

[Accidental_discharge]

Cyber Warfare? Buy an Xbox and the latest CoD.

 

[Stibbon]

Each cap badge has it's own conditions for transferring in/out.
Go onto MODNET and look up "Soldier Terms Of Service" as a pointer. This is a fairly recent publication in which Chapter 4 should give you all the info you'll need. It can also be found on Defence Connect. It won't list what caveats any particular cap badge applies though. Sadly, you're going to have to visit your RCMO for that sort of info.

If the RLC, having trained you as a Comms Spec don't have a problem with letting you go, then you'll need to fill out an AF B241a which is the application to transfer and submit it via your CoC.

From recent memory, training to be (what used to be called an Electronic Warfare Operator in my day) is long, and I believe they only run about 1 course a year but I could be mistaken.

Anyway, if you don't buy a ticket, you don't win the raffle. Give it a go if you're not happy in the RLC.

 

[cymraeg]

Have a look through current din's or whatever they are called now and see if there is a trawl for cyber ops and that should point you in the right direction without raising your head. Dont know if they are on modnet etc but good luck

 

[The_Poltroon]

Maybe the lad wants to step up to a more intelligent corps, where he can gain some interesting qualifications, learn a worthwhile trade, see more of the world, and generally better himself. Lets face it the RLC, not exactly dynamic challenging or high on the IQ list. ....... " Royal signals, It made me the man i am today......"

Stands back, ducks, and awaits some serious incoming...3..2..1.......

Although you don't have to be overly intelligent to join ANY regiment or Corps in todays modern Army you definitely don't need to be a member of MENSA to sit in the back of a Land rover inside a 9x9 wearing headphones and saying "say again all over" or "Roger Trout" over a net for a week or so.

 

[RangdoOfArg]

Each cap badge has it's own conditions for transferring in/out.
Go onto MODNET and look up "Soldier Terms Of Service" as a pointer. This is a fairly recent publication in which Chapter 4 should give you all the info you'll need. It can also be found on Defence Connect. It won't list what caveats any particular cap badge applies though. Sadly, you're going to have to visit your RCMO for that sort of info.

If the RLC, having trained you as a Comms Spec don't have a problem with letting you go, then you'll need to fill out an AF B241a which is the application to transfer and submit it via your CoC.

From recent memory, training to be (what used to be called an Electronic Warfare Operator in my day) is long, and I believe they only run about 1 course a year but I could be mistaken.

Anyway, if you don't buy a ticket, you don't win the raffle. Give it a go if you're not happy in the RLC.

All sensible advice. Remember - it‘s not about you, it’s about the needs of the service. At the end of the day you are a number on a spreadsheet, and those who look after spreadsheets are good at doing just that.
When you join you are on a spreadsheet. That’s a box ticked for all concerned, from recruiter to platoon sergeant in basic.
If you want to change the path the army has set you on, that’s an embuggerance to the army. They won’t like it, but they can’t stop it (Ok, they can).
The important bit is the ”needs of the service”. You then must go out and persuade the Corps you want to join that they need you. And then persuade the Corps you are trying to leave that they must let you go.
It might not be easy, but it does happen. It just might need more work than joining up in the first place.