any of you lot in the 170th royal engineers reserves?

[not_today]

I'll be following this post with interest ... I've been considering the reserves for ages now .. I'm starting my level 2 in the next month also ... I think I may swing past the army careers center in town today ...

 

[dave274]

I'd like to recommend the Royal Marines Reserve to anyone thinking of joining part time. You have to do the whole 32 weeks basic training and the commando tests but you'll be accepted as one of the family and will only be called a rubber dagger for a year or two.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Was you in the corps Gavin? just asking with 40cdo being in Taunton.

No I was RAF, did consider the Royal Marines as they have a good reputation in the west country and people respect them. I did go on a pre selection course at Lympstone, was tough but enjoyable. My interest was more into aviation, so RAF sealed it, I was lucky that i got a grant for flying lessons when in sixth form but due to becoming bored and disillusioned with a-levels i went in in the ranks rather than seeking a commission as an officer. It meant i didnt have to pay the grant back though! I only did 20 hours so never got my ppl. Ended up as a weapons tech. then had a few health issues and got a medical discharge.. i miss the good sides of the job but hated the RAF's petty ocd rules on things to do with kit. A friend of mine who joined same time was a avionics tech and got posted with the red arrows, the lucky so and so spent several months every year in cyprus and travelled the world with the red arrows.

 

[dave274]

I spent a month at RAF Akratiri after a several month exercise in Egypt, I remember the food being fantastic compared to the muck we used to eat, but then I remember even the army's food was better than ours lol.

 

[SparkAndy]

Spent 5 years with 170 Reserves, including a 6 month tour. Feel free to message me direct

 

[Pete E]

I did 11 years in the TA, both Infantry and Cavalry...I would recommend it to anyone, but I would not go into a specialist Unit that was essentially a continuation of my day job...I joined to do something "different" if that makes sense.

Was reading else where on here that members of the Reserves can get some sort of grants/discounts towards training in civvie street...

The discussion was concerning one of the 10 week training providers and however the scheme worked, the costs of the course to the trainee reduced from £6000 to £1000 which is a fantastic saving...