I'm currently serving in the reserves and have done for nearly 4 years, I agree with some if the aspects regarding training, but I tend to find that there are great reserve soldiers and crappie ones. If you out in the time, go away on exercises especially with the regs you can become a good soldier. I have been to Germany with the regs and have to say you do get shit regs soldiers that can't be bothered, and having just done junior brecon you can embrace and learn from the regs. One of the big differences aswell is that reserve soldiers want to be there and are very keen to learn and develop where some regs lose that drive. I would have loved to ho regs when I was younger but ut didn't work out and with a young family I get a good balance. Lastly I think reserves are a great way to see if an army career is for you before switching to regs and can give you an edge in depot. Good video and like I say I agree with a lot of what you said. 👍
Thanks mate this is a great insight for people thinking of joining the reserves. My experience was very limited so this is helpful for people who want to know more 👊🏻👍🏻
Appreciate this comment as some who is only just too old to join reg, im going for reserves. i guess you get back what you put in same with most things in life
I'm going to take you to task on this, the Difference between Regular and Reserve, ok I am going to refer to the TA as I spent most of the 90s in the TA. The first thing is the Regular Army spent a lot of time in barracks getting really bored, especially those that were based in BFG. During Ex Rhino Replen 94 I watched a complete farse of a regular demonstration company that couldn't work with basic equipment, one Sgt managed to set his Mk 2 stove on fire, and it ended up being kicked into the River Wesser! Regular Army instructors actually liked training the TA because of their outlook, training was seen as fun, so the TA had bags of enthusiasm. The Regular Army spent weeks making recruits march up and down corridors to break them so they could try and mold them, the TA at the same Training barracks may have only been there for two weeks but because the TA squaddie is older and wiser they didn't need to do as much BS, yes we had kit inspections, quick change inspections but we dealt with them so we could crack on for battle skill skills week. What did I get out of the TA, two brilliant weeks at Catterick for basic training, travelled all over north-west Europe on exercises, 6 months in BFG backfilling for Bosnia, went parachuting with JSPC, and sailing with JSASTC, the social side was something else as well, I'm still mates with people from the units I served with, I can honestly say I was never bored in the TA
I was in the reserves for 3 years then went regular in the Grenadier Guards.Basic training in the Guards was 30 weeks compared to my 2 week training cadre in the TA.Regular training was a lot more intense mentally and physically.Like he said in the video you bond more as a team un the regulars.All said though I still respect any man or woman who gives up time as a reserve
Mate can I just say , I was a TA reservist in the 80s and we done every weekend and night we could jump on we don’t signals for all the reserve infantry regiments in the country, are CO was major Locke who served in the Falklands war, and we loved it we were jumping on every exercise we could all over the world, “ and working and with family we were bouncing as a squadron signals we had a para signals attachment to serve para reg , and we were on are game big time everyone was for it !! And we still meet up once or twice a year, only because we are still having to work until we retire!!! 👍
Tbh a great thing to do for students and the like. I came in through the University Officers Training Corps and in two years I got a solid grasp of leadership and soldiering(well the theory part at least) that got me ready for Sandhurst. I think the idea of he reserves is to know the elements and should they be needed quickly put through a refresher course and be way better than any kind of quick conscription. Especially when it comes to the lot who's been in for a fair few years. But yeah terrible idea for most to compare themselves to the regs but especially as students or someone who's got the time to spare its really not bad at all. Love the video mate
I met some right characters in the TA , policemen, ex regulars of all description, ex mercenaries, ex Rhodesian and south African security forces...I even knew a gangland mobster who I knew to keep on my good side ! ...the strangest and most annoying character was an ex french foreign legion bloke who,s slow marching pace of 88 steps per minute compared to our 112 paces really buggared us up when he was leading the squad !
Hopefully going to be starting basic training soon as a full time soldier, this was a good clear up, tbh I don’t know why they don’t have your video on their website, would help out a tone of people on knowing the right choice to make, appreciate this
Just my opinion but the reserves and regs are completely different beasts. However with both, there are high functioning individuals and lizards within units. With regs if they aren’t performing, you can AGAI, put on show parades, remedial PT, weekend duties Ect, to encourage improvement. Where with reserves if they are treated like that they can just not turn up or hand kit back and say see you later, however most reserves I’ve met are keen to learn. Ideally want troops who aren’t up-to it and not showing willingness to improve gone but we all know they are kept just on so numbers look better. For me one issue is trying to get a reservist to cover the same as a reg. For me they would be more useful if they specialised in one skill instead of trying to be multi faceted. With career progression they try to promote in a similar timescale, however many reservists don’t want to promote up the ranks. Reason being, they often have family life, full time job and once you get to full screw or above you are expected to be more involved in organising the training and they just want to be a bod, who turns up and is told what to do. AT is a bit of a joke, reserves get a lot more opportunities. Fair play to them, take advantage but should be going to regs first.
I was REME TA. I did a regular attachment as a Cpl. Best time I ever had and nothing technically I had any problems with or hadn’t been trained to do. Bit weird being in charge of regular troops. Edit. And less BS than TA I found. 7CS Coy 2Bn Reme. Brilliant lads and lasses.
By what your saying i doubt you did much training with the reserves. Did you do a two week ex with them?. You don’t really get to see what they are capable of until you do. If you only do a few weekends you never going to see what it’s really like with them. Most committed reserves do 40-50 days on average. There will be a few people doing 27 day’s or less but there is usually a core who do way more. It’s a shame you didn’t stay longer as I’m sure you could have been a benefit to your unit and brought their standards up if they were low. There is also a big difference in quality from unit to unit. Promotion in the reserves is exactly the same as in the regs. If you do the courses and are a regular attender, you’ll get promoted in a similar time scale if you put the work in. I don’t think you can just do a few drill nights and weekends then claim to know or even give advice on the reserves tbh.
Like I said mate this is my opinion from what I seen, I’m not saying this is the case for all reserve units, it’s just what I observed from my very short stay. I think the reserves is a good option for specific people but I stand with my opinion on the training, it’s more extensive in the regulars and so it should be. Thanks for the comment appreciate your opinion 👍
Do you think that the army will be understanding If I'm a full time student and a full time soldier at the same time? Because I'm aware that joining the OTC may not ne as great if I want to learn really.
I served TA Regular and was fitter than the regs served over sea still beat them happily challenge you any time. Ex Royal Artillery Full screw now 52 but I’ll still beat you if your up to it.
Pretty spot on this mate. I was previously on Navy and now in army reserves. You do get a good standard of solider in the reserves but about 40% ae there for AT and the perks I.e tax free bonus. Some of those make the reserves look worse than they are
@@condog4202 I thought full time reserves are just former regs. We have a few for our unit like the PSIs(permanent staff instructor) mostly Colour Sergeants and training WOs who are reserves but do this full time. But yeah might be wrong. I'll go ask tonight lol
Thanks for sharing. I think one thing you missed out was how to can leave the reserves at short notice if. If your boss is a d-ck, or lets say the culture is just f-uped, you can say bye bye pretty quickly. When reg, you have no choice in anything. People undervalue their loss of freedom when one joins the reg's. You better really want that job in the regular army if you want to relinquish your freedom.
Same medical unfortunately mate, as part of the reserves you could be asked to go on operations so you need to be just as fit as a regular solider. Have you tried to appeal the medical decision, I remember you mentioned it a while back but did you go through with the appeal ?
My two bobs. Only join FT if you going to get training that will benefit you in the civie world. If going combat, at first will be exciting but then you get into a routine. You don't fire the guns as much as you think and if you leave, apart from some soft skills/leadership skills, what else have you got to offer an employer. Join reserves if looking at a combat/adventure role whilst also working on your civilian career. Time management is key and you will learn great discipline to handle both jobs, which employers love. Also remember once in FT, they own you. You hate your boss, tough titties. Reserves you have a bit more control on the a-holes you work with.
Does the TA still have Non Regular Permanent Staff? I did that with 4RGJ before joining the regular army. This was mainly making sure kit was ready for use and general dogs body (GD'S ). With the TA, I asked to work with a few regular regiments so I was able to travel to Canada, Germany and a few more places. But as a regular soldier, there was even more travel
Infantry regular and infantry reserve….. same standard - same fitness requirements in-fact most of the reserve battalion are at higher standards than the regular lot
No one joins the reserves for the money, so no discussion. About the difference in training, i slightly disagree. It mostly depends on the cap badge. In the infantry, for instance I think it isn't that relevant, in my opinion, it just takes more time, that is all. I have serve with good regulars and with good reservists. That on itself may not make a difference.. Im 44, reservist, and now bexause of the RFT i went to a regular co pany to do that "new" test. As referred, my self at 44, reservist, i wasnt worse than regulars half of my age... and this at my rank at the time, lance corporal. If we bring some sargents and staff sargents, then probably it would be even worse for the regulars and their beer bellies...(of course not all of them, but.....)that is why i disagree with you on the training side of it. It mostly depends on the cap badge. After infantry reserves i am now rmp reserves. In this cap badge , yes, the difference in training is clearly visible, except, of course, if the reservist is a real police officer. Then the rmp regulars or reserves can learn a lot about real policing....ironically enough, im not that interested in "real" policing, which is ironic again because i just joined a certain type of law enforcement agency😂...next i might try REME to learn how to use my hands to fix stuff....
@@KyleSmithFIT the leading up anxiety’s horrible my brain’s thinking of all scenarios that could go wrong freezing up for the beep test is the main one my brains focusing on the most.
@@KyleSmithFIT if ireland unites it definitely would not be as part of the UK. However, people from the Republic of Ireland can serve in the British military as its an ex British territory like some Caribbean islands, Fiji etc, so I doubt that would change.
They if you have a passport for the republic of Ireland you can join so I presume you would still be able to join even if the north became part of the Irish republic. Just realised the person above my comment said the same thing
@@KyleSmithFIT ok mate I'm from the commonwealth countries and I apply last month but the portal as a problem so if I have apply again do I have to start from the beginning
I'm currently serving in the reserves and have done for nearly 4 years, I agree with some if the aspects regarding training, but I tend to find that there are great reserve soldiers and crappie ones. If you out in the time, go away on exercises especially with the regs you can become a good soldier. I have been to Germany with the regs and have to say you do get shit regs soldiers that can't be bothered, and having just done junior brecon you can embrace and learn from the regs. One of the big differences aswell is that reserve soldiers want to be there and are very keen to learn and develop where some regs lose that drive. I would have loved to ho regs when I was younger but ut didn't work out and with a young family I get a good balance. Lastly I think reserves are a great way to see if an army career is for you before switching to regs and can give you an edge in depot. Good video and like I say I agree with a lot of what you said. 👍
Thanks mate this is a great insight for people thinking of joining the reserves. My experience was very limited so this is helpful for people who want to know more 👊🏻👍🏻
Appreciate this comment as some who is only just too old to join reg, im going for reserves. i guess you get back what you put in same with most things in life
mate, is alright if i pick your brains about the reserves?
@mmorgangreen
@dannyr6040 yeah sure I'll try and answer your question
I'm going to take you to task on this, the Difference between Regular and Reserve, ok I am going to refer to the TA as I spent most of the 90s in the TA. The first thing is the Regular Army spent a lot of time in barracks getting really bored, especially those that were based in BFG. During Ex Rhino Replen 94 I watched a complete farse of a regular demonstration company that couldn't work with basic equipment, one Sgt managed to set his Mk 2 stove on fire, and it ended up being kicked into the River Wesser! Regular Army instructors actually liked training the TA because of their outlook, training was seen as fun, so the TA had bags of enthusiasm. The Regular Army spent weeks making recruits march up and down corridors to break them so they could try and mold them, the TA at the same Training barracks may have only been there for two weeks but because the TA squaddie is older and wiser they didn't need to do as much BS, yes we had kit inspections, quick change inspections but we dealt with them so we could crack on for battle skill skills week. What did I get out of the TA, two brilliant weeks at Catterick for basic training, travelled all over north-west Europe on exercises, 6 months in BFG backfilling for Bosnia, went parachuting with JSPC, and sailing with JSASTC, the social side was something else as well, I'm still mates with people from the units I served with, I can honestly say I was never bored in the TA
I was in the reserves for 3 years then went regular in the Grenadier Guards.Basic training in the Guards was 30 weeks compared to my 2 week training cadre in the TA.Regular training was a lot more intense mentally and physically.Like he said in the video you bond more as a team un the regulars.All said though I still respect any man or woman who gives up time as a reserve
Mate can I just say , I was a TA reservist in the 80s and we done every weekend and night we could jump on we don’t signals for all the reserve infantry regiments in the country, are CO was major Locke who served in the Falklands war, and we loved it we were jumping on every exercise we could all over the world, “ and working and with family we were bouncing as a squadron signals we had a para signals attachment to serve para reg , and we were on are game big time everyone was for it !! And we still meet up once or twice a year, only because we are still having to work until we retire!!! 👍
Served10 Para late 80s/90s did as much as I could great times and still in contact with a lot of the Guys .Reunion once a year well attended.
Tbh a great thing to do for students and the like. I came in through the University Officers Training Corps and in two years I got a solid grasp of leadership and soldiering(well the theory part at least) that got me ready for Sandhurst. I think the idea of he reserves is to know the elements and should they be needed quickly put through a refresher course and be way better than any kind of quick conscription. Especially when it comes to the lot who's been in for a fair few years. But yeah terrible idea for most to compare themselves to the regs but especially as students or someone who's got the time to spare its really not bad at all. Love the video mate
Great input mate, I never really thought about it as an option for a student.
Thanks man, appreciate you watching 👍🏻
I learned so much from the ACF aged 13-18. Working with SAS 1 to 2 aged 16 was a delight on close target reccies.❤
I met some right characters in the TA , policemen, ex regulars of all description, ex mercenaries, ex Rhodesian and south African security forces...I even knew a gangland mobster who I knew to keep on my good side ! ...the strangest and most annoying character was an ex french foreign legion bloke who,s slow marching pace of 88 steps per minute compared to our 112 paces really buggared us up when he was leading the squad !
Hopefully going to be starting basic training soon as a full time soldier, this was a good clear up, tbh I don’t know why they don’t have your video on their website, would help out a tone of people on knowing the right choice to make, appreciate this
Nice one mate appreciate your comment, congrats and good luck 👊🏻.What are you joining?
Try 4 parra reserves if you want to solider part time
Definitely varies from regiment to regiment
Great video mate. Cheers for taking the time to make this. Very helpful.
Glad it helped
Just my opinion but the reserves and regs are completely different beasts. However with both, there are high functioning individuals and lizards within units.
With regs if they aren’t performing, you can AGAI, put on show parades, remedial PT, weekend duties Ect, to encourage improvement. Where with reserves if they are treated like that they can just not turn up or hand kit back and say see you later, however most reserves I’ve met are keen to learn. Ideally want troops who aren’t up-to it and not showing willingness to improve gone but we all know they are kept just on so numbers look better.
For me one issue is trying to get a reservist to cover the same as a reg. For me they would be more useful if they specialised in one skill instead of trying to be multi faceted.
With career progression they try to promote in a similar timescale, however many reservists don’t want to promote up the ranks. Reason being, they often have family life, full time job and once you get to full screw or above you are expected to be more involved in organising the training and they just want to be a bod, who turns up and is told what to do.
AT is a bit of a joke, reserves get a lot more opportunities. Fair play to them, take advantage but should be going to regs first.
I was REME TA. I did a regular attachment as a Cpl. Best time I ever had and nothing technically I had any problems with or hadn’t been trained to do. Bit weird being in charge of regular troops. Edit. And less BS than TA I found. 7CS Coy 2Bn Reme. Brilliant lads and lasses.
By what your saying i doubt you did much training with the reserves. Did you do a two week ex with them?. You don’t really get to see what they are capable of until you do. If you only do a few weekends you never going to see what it’s really like with them. Most committed reserves do 40-50 days on average. There will be a few people doing 27 day’s or less but there is usually a core who do way more. It’s a shame you didn’t stay longer as I’m sure you could have been a benefit to your unit and brought their standards up if they were low. There is also a big difference in quality from unit to unit. Promotion in the reserves is exactly the same as in the regs. If you do the courses and are a regular attender, you’ll get promoted in a similar time scale if you put the work in. I don’t think you can just do a few drill nights and weekends then claim to know or even give advice on the reserves tbh.
Like I said mate this is my opinion from what I seen, I’m not saying this is the case for all reserve units, it’s just what I observed from my very short stay. I think the reserves is a good option for specific people but I stand with my opinion on the training, it’s more extensive in the regulars and so it should be.
Thanks for the comment appreciate your opinion 👍
Do you think that the army will be understanding If I'm a full time student and a full time soldier at the same time?
Because I'm aware that joining the OTC may not ne as great if I want to learn really.
4 Para deploy every 2nd year and warned off about it.Regarding standards and training this is controlled by Regular Army this rests with them .
Ta like the regs .....you only get out of it what you put into it , good n bad in both regs n ta.
I served TA Regular and was fitter than the regs served over sea still beat them happily challenge you any time. Ex Royal Artillery Full screw now 52 but I’ll still beat you if your up to it.
Beat me at what ?
someone sounds bitter, probably got rejected from the regs
@@kev.i.n1244 If he got rejected from regs he'd get rejected from reserves too.
Pretty spot on this mate. I was previously on Navy and now in army reserves. You do get a good standard of solider in the reserves but about 40% ae there for AT and the perks I.e tax free bonus. Some of those make the reserves look worse than they are
What about in a regiment like thre paras ?
@@stevenjohnson5126 as in 4 para?
@@alexbrown87 Yes mate
@@stevenjohnson5126 I imagine you get less that are a bit useless or there just for adventure training but couldn't personally speak on their behalf
@@alexbrown87 Do you enjoy the reserves for what it is comparisons aside ?
Great video! Can you do an explanation video about the full time reserves
yeah would love to see that!
There is no full time reserves 😂
@@condog4202 I thought full time reserves are just former regs. We have a few for our unit like the PSIs(permanent staff instructor) mostly Colour Sergeants and training WOs who are reserves but do this full time. But yeah might be wrong. I'll go ask tonight lol
@@rafidwaseeuddin3671 permanent staff are full time in a reserve unit. Think they are regulars tho. I could be wrong
Thanks for sharing. I think one thing you missed out was how to can leave the reserves at short notice if. If your boss is a d-ck, or lets say the culture is just f-uped, you can say bye bye pretty quickly. When reg, you have no choice in anything. People undervalue their loss of freedom when one joins the reg's. You better really want that job in the regular army if you want to relinquish your freedom.
What exactly is a drill night? What goes on? Thanks in advance
If your in the reserves and you had a few days off from your normal job can you just go to your reserve unit and work?
It depends if the unit has anything on that day
Great video mate, I was rejected from the main army because of a knee injury. Are the reserves more lenient with things like that?
Same medical unfortunately mate, as part of the reserves you could be asked to go on operations so you need to be just as fit as a regular solider.
Have you tried to appeal the medical decision, I remember you mentioned it a while back but did you go through with the appeal ?
You forgot to mention the loss of 14.5% X factor in terms of pay.
It’s a huge difference.
My two bobs. Only join FT if you going to get training that will benefit you in the civie world. If going combat, at first will be exciting but then you get into a routine. You don't fire the guns as much as you think and if you leave, apart from some soft skills/leadership skills, what else have you got to offer an employer. Join reserves if looking at a combat/adventure role whilst also working on your civilian career. Time management is key and you will learn great discipline to handle both jobs, which employers love. Also remember once in FT, they own you. You hate your boss, tough titties. Reserves you have a bit more control on the a-holes you work with.
How do the reserves have more control on the dickheads they work with? Is it just because you spend less time with them?
Does the TA still have Non Regular Permanent Staff? I did that with 4RGJ before joining the regular army. This was mainly making sure kit was ready for use and general dogs body (GD'S ). With the TA, I asked to work with a few regular regiments so I was able to travel to Canada, Germany and a few more places. But as a regular soldier, there was even more travel
Infantry regular and infantry reserve….. same standard - same fitness requirements in-fact most of the reserve battalion are at higher standards than the regular lot
Wildly inaccurate
No one joins the reserves for the money, so no discussion. About the difference in training, i slightly disagree. It mostly depends on the cap badge. In the infantry, for instance I think it isn't that relevant, in my opinion, it just takes more time, that is all. I have serve with good regulars and with good reservists. That on itself may not make a difference.. Im 44, reservist, and now bexause of the RFT i went to a regular co pany to do that "new" test. As referred, my self at 44, reservist, i wasnt worse than regulars half of my age... and this at my rank at the time, lance corporal. If we bring some sargents and staff sargents, then probably it would be even worse for the regulars and their beer bellies...(of course not all of them, but.....)that is why i disagree with you on the training side of it. It mostly depends on the cap badge. After infantry reserves i am now rmp reserves. In this cap badge , yes, the difference in training is clearly visible, except, of course, if the reservist is a real police officer. Then the rmp regulars or reserves can learn a lot about real policing....ironically enough, im not that interested in "real" policing, which is ironic again because i just joined a certain type of law enforcement agency😂...next i might try REME to learn how to use my hands to fix stuff....
Got my physical in a week I’m bricking it 😳
You’ll be good try not to worry 👊🏻
@@KyleSmithFIT the leading up anxiety’s horrible my brain’s thinking of all scenarios that could go wrong freezing up for the beep test is the main one my brains focusing on the most.
Gl bro - u got this
@@N331_05 thank you mate, got a chest cough n all haha 👊🏽
@@26shailen give em hell
Mate, a super question for you: do you think if Ireland re-unites, the BA won't accept applications from Irish?
Erm I think they will make, just depends if they are still classed as part of the UK
@@KyleSmithFIT I mean, Irish people make up 40% to the BA. It would not be too cool decision..
@@KyleSmithFIT if ireland unites it definitely would not be as part of the UK. However, people from the Republic of Ireland can serve in the British military as its an ex British territory like some Caribbean islands, Fiji etc, so I doubt that would change.
They if you have a passport for the republic of Ireland you can join so I presume you would still be able to join even if the north became part of the Irish republic.
Just realised the person above my comment said the same thing
You were talking about the opportunities in the reserves such as adventure training and so on are you also paid when you do that ?
Yes you are paid when on adventure training, win win 👊🏻
@@KyleSmithFIT cheers for the reply pal, happy days
@@thegooey3241 no worries 👊🏻
Kylie so true 28 days
I am from a common wealth nation,if i get my citizenship through marriage will i be eligible to join d sas reserve?
Ia it easy to transfer from reserve soldier to regular officer?
Umm i wouldn’t say easy you will have to probably wait 6 months+
I hated Regular Army so much racism and idiots so left after 6 weeks then joined Territorials loved it!
when is the British army recruitment for the commonwealth countries
Not sure mate sorry
when doing the application the job u will put in on the application if someone live it empty will it affect the application
@@jadanjules8779 erm I don’t think so mate, fill it out the best you can and someone will hopefully contact you.
@@KyleSmithFIT like your videos mate keep up the good work
@@KyleSmithFIT ok mate I'm from the commonwealth countries and I apply last month but the portal as a problem so if I have apply again do I have to start from the beginning