TA: earn extra money by joining the Territorial Army
The Territorial Army is expanding, so would you consider signing up? You get paid and you can probably cancel that gym subscription. But how challenging is it? And what are the chances you'll have to go to war?
Joining the Territorial Army (TA) has long been a way for everyday civilians to enjoy a taste of army life and earn some extra money.
And right now is a great time to consider getting involved. The Army is set to lose 20,000 regular soldiers by 2020, and the number of reservists is to double to 30,000 to make up for it.
With the TA about to undergo a huge expansion, now could be a good time to volunteer – for Queen, country, and a little extra cash.
This is of real interest to me, as I’m an army brat. Both of my parents were in the Army and I grew up on military bases in Germany. I often miss the Armed Forces community, so maybe this is a way to earn some extra money, improve my fitness and make life-long friends.
So could the TA (or ‘Terrified Amateurs’ as I’ve heard some regulars call them) be the answer?
What can you earn?
It seems likely that few people join the TA just for the money, but let’s take a look at that first.
Territorial soldiers get paid for each quarter day of training they take part in and the pay scale is based on that of a regular soldier at a similar rank.
New recruits get £35.04 for a full day, but once you’re through basic training you get £43.54 a day. If you’re a graduate officer cadet it’s as high as £62.07 a day, but all these are just starting points. As you gain experience and earn promotion, it can rise.
On top of that, as long as you meet your minimum training commitment (between 19 and 27 days a year) you also earn an annual tax-free bounty. This starts off as £424 but rises. After five years, you’ll receive a bounty of £1,674 – again, tax-free.
In the event that you are deployed to a warzone, you’d receive the same pay and bonus as a regular soldier.
Other reasons to join
There must be easier part-time jobs, so why else might you join the TA? Well, on one online forum, ‘Running Free’ explains: “Joining the TA has got to be the best thing I have done in my life so far.
“In the TA you get to do so many things, some that you probably couldn't do in your civilian life - and get paid for it. I'm in the Infantry and with this you probably get the most varied and exciting training compared with, let’s say, if you joined the Signals.
“As well as your weekend training (not every weekend), each year you get to go on annual two-week training camp abroad.”
He then lists off the places he’s been, including Cyprus, Gibralter and Corsica. I can’t help but wonder when Afghanistan might pop up on that list, but so far ‘Running Free’ has had a great time.
On average, a TA soldier gets £9,000-worth of training a year, so it’s often quite appealing to employers. There’s some guidance on balancing TA and work commitments here.
How fit should you be?
I don’t know about you but I go fairly easy on myself in the gym. In fact, that’s part of the TA’s appeal - providing such a great motivation to stay in shape.
While some forums suggest that you don’t have to be that fit, a quick visit to the ARmy Rumour Service (the splendidly-acronymed AARSE), shows that your fellow recruits might hold you in some contempt if you couldn’t at least do the basics.
It states: “If you need bribing to train for the most basic of skills required of a soldier, you do not deserve to wear the uniform. You volunteer to serve, you understand that fitness is a basic requirement.”
But then, the Army recruitment page states: “You don't need to be super fit to join the Army; all you need is the right attitude and determination to get there."
So unless you’re really out of shape, and as long as you are willing to put in the work, don’t feel you need to become a body builder before applying.
What can you do?
There are so many different roles in the Army itself and some of these are replicated in the TA. You might want to look for a role that uses your existing skills (for example if you’re a nurse) or you might prefer to simply join your nearest unit and learn new skills.
You can find out more by contacting your local Armed Forces Careers Office, or calling 0845 600 8080. If you visit the website, there’s also a live chat option.
Would you have to go to war?
Of course, it’s all fun and games until someone has to go to war. With the UK engaged in an ongoing mission in Afghanistan, on top of its usual commitments, how likely are you to be called up to serve in a conflict zone?
According to AARSE, not very likely - unless you want to. It reports that all mobilisations since 2005 have been voluntary.
The point of the TA is to have a trained, ready fighting force to support the regular soldiers. By joining, you’ve indicated that you’re prepared to take part in active service.
However, unless an extremely serious conflict arose, it seems likely that the Army will continue to invite volunteers to serve abroad. Just don’t rely on that remaining the case.
Would I join?
I can really see the appeal in signing up to the TA. I’d like to feel I was making a contribution to the nation’s safety and I’m never averse to some extra cash.
But I also tend to vomit when faced with strenuous exercise. Many of my friends and family are in the army, and they are all considerably tougher than me.
Despite that, I would be very tempted to apply to the Media Operations Group, a specialist TA force that reports on conflict zones, where my current work experience might actually be useful.
And yet… while my son is so young, I’d have to think very seriously about a part-time job that took me away from him for potentially months at a time.
Putting money to one side
While the TA looks like an amazing experience and something that sorely tempts me, I couldn’t join. Perhaps once my baby is a little older I will consider it again.
I also can’t recommend it as a money-making scheme. The brave men and women in our TA have signed up knowing that they might be called on to fight in a war, perhaps even to be sent to Afghanistan. Just like our regular armed forces, they could be deployed away from their families for months at a time.
So don’t view the TA as simply a money-making opportunity - the potential sacrifices are just too great.
However, if you want to serve your country, get physically fit and make new friends then the Territorials are expanding and there’s never been a better time to apply.
Are you in the TA? Do you think the money’s good? Is anyone you know a member? Would you consider joining? Share your thoughts and experiences with other readers in the comments below.
More on ways to boost your income:
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Can you make money by blogging?
Can you make money by self-publishing?
How to make money in the evening
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Comments
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I agree with everything pickledtink has stated. When I joined the TA, I knew that I was training to be a supplement to our regular forces, not a replacement for them. I think of the TA as agency staff, who are taken on to supplement the full time workforce, not to replace them. How many here remember when the Tories were selling off our fleet? Surely the Falklands must be a reminder that we need an effective fleet to protect our shores, and those of our dependencies. Also, one other thing worth considering. If the government are going to rely heavily on part time soldiers (TA), who is going to replace the workforce at many private companies when these people are called up. Who is going to teach our children, put our fires out, fill our vending machines, repair our cars, and all the other jobs where someone has had to train. Who is going to compensate the companies that may be losing vital staff and skills for a war or conflict?
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Thousands of long term Military are being callously kicked out of their jobs after years of service risking their lives. Mostly highly experienced and due to long service would have soon become eligible for full pension. The sheer waste of their specialised training and ability is monstrous. There are no jobs elsewhere for them and they and their families face an uncertain future. Replacing them with a poorly paid 'hobbyist' force who will certainly not operate effectively if/when plunged into active duty and danger is beyond cynical. Yes. This is happening within my family and the sense of betrayal is bitter indeed. After many tours in Afghanistan, Falklands, Iraq and Bosnia they have now just 3 months left before they must vacate their home with 3 kids and no job. Not even an interview has been forthcoming despite months of making numerous applications. This Government has done absolutely nothing to assist or suggest where they could seek or find employment. Something most major companies would provide as a matter of course when making sweeping redundancies. However the main point is that this country will no longer have an Army or military presence merely a part time defence force yet the fools in Westminster are still engaged in Sabre rattling. One little tin soldier might look like another to them but the cheapies will simply be unable to deliver if seriously deployed. Like everything else. You get what you pay for.
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I spent four years in the TA, back during the eighties. 1) I was put up the the best hotels and taken all over the country to train. Being part of the RAMC meant that the government were throwing money at us, such as the best equipment. If you join a specialist unit, you will find a bottomless wallet, but if you join the infantry, their resources are more scarce. 2) The bounty is TAX FREE, and goes up the longer you serve. Passing the BFT is a cinch, as even those who are unfit are given allowances that mean only the most lazy won't pass. 3) I know of TA who were called up to serve in the first Gulf War, so call up is likely in any conflict. I was put on a reserve list for call up, but it never happened. 4) With the mass reduction in permanent forces that our government plan, the chance of a call up is more likely, as the TA is now taking over responsibility that were previously held by regular forces. 5) No one can opt out. If our taxpayer money is being spent to train young boys and girls to fight, then when the need comes, they MUST fight. To take the money and run is fraud. Besides, when you sign up, you take the Oath to protect Queen and Country. 6) The TA are trained to exactly the same standards as regular soldiers. It just takes longer (6 months as opposed to 6 weeks). TA are often more motivated simply because they view it as a hobby, rather than their bread and butter. 7) Many TA transfer to the regulars, and vice versa. In fact my old Warrant Officer started in the regular army, left and joined the TA, then rejoined the regular because he was bored with civvy life. 8) There is never a boring moment. You learn new skills all the time. And the FUN is there to be had. On an evac exercise in Germany, I got to fly around in the back of a helicopter while picking up casualties. That is not something you often do. I have also climbed Snowdonia, Ben Nevis, Scafell and been across Exmoor, Dartmoor (in thick fog) and the Black Mountains and the Yorkshire Moors. 9) Unfortunately, you still get idiots, even in army life, and some of them have stripes or pips on their shoulders. Yes, even the army can promote idiots.
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04 September 2012