You may have some queries or concerns that are not addressed elsewhere on this website. Try browsing our list of frequently asked questions - they may have your answer.

General FAQs
Q. What does the TA do?
Q. What is the relationship between the TA and the Regular Army?
Q. Are there prospects of promotion?
Q. Where will I have to train?
Q. Supposing there’s a national emergency?
Q. Where is CVHQ REME?

Eligibility FAQs
Q. Am I too old/too young to join?
Q. What if I have a criminal record?
Q. Do I need any qualifications to join?
Q. Do I have to be British to join?

Pay and Benefits FAQs
Q. How much will I get paid for training?
Q. Will I have the opportunity for foreign travel?
Q. Is the TA a particularly social organisation?
Q. Will being in the TA improve my employability?

Training and Fitness FAQs
Q. When and how will I train?
Q. Do I have to be very fit?
Q. Can you recommend a training programme?
Q. What will I learn in the way of skills and qualifications?
Q. Why does the TA train its members in adventurous and sporting activities?

Commitment and Mobilisation FAQs
Q. How much time do I have to commit to the TA?
Q. Can I leave at any time?
Q. Could I be mobilised?

Employee FAQs
Q. Should I inform my employer if I'm thinking of joining the TA?
Q. If I am called up, will my civilian job be protected?
Q. What if I earn more in my civilian job than in the TA? Will I receive compensation?

Employer FAQs
Q. Why should I support my employees joining the TA?
Q. What benefits will my business gain from TA trained employees?
Q. How can I find out more about employers relations with the Reserve Forces.

General FAQs
Q. What does the TA do?
A. The TA is a fully functioning part of the British Army, playing a vital role in the nation's defence and peacekeeping operations, both at home and abroad. It is staffed by part-time, voluntary personnel, but still represents one quarter of the Army's total capability.
Q. What is the relationship between the TA and the Regular Army?
A. Since the Strategic Defence Review of 1998, the TA has become a more relevant and useable part of the Army than ever before. The two are becoming increasingly integrated, which is generating a healthy mutual respect.
Q. Are there prospects of promotion?
Of course. It depends entirely on your own work and enthusiasm. We encourage ambition if you want to move up the ranks, right up to being commissioned as an officer. A Commission on entry is also possible for qualified engineers with leadership potential.
Q. Where will I have to train?
A. In most cases, initial training takes place at your chosen unit and at CVHQ REME, Bordon in Hampshire. After that, further training and service could be anywhere in the UK, or even abroad.
Q Supposing there’s a national emergency?
A. This is the liability to call-out on a Queen’s Order in the event of an emergency that could affect our national security. In certain circumstances, the Secretary of State can also authorise call-out for peacekeeping, humanitarian or disaster relief operations, but not for civil disorder in the UK.
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Pay and Benefits FAQs
Q. How much will I get paid for training?
A. You will be paid at the same basic daily rate as soldiers of your rank in the Regular Army. The exact amount you will receive also depends on your particular trade and type of commitment.
Q. What is the Annual Bounty?
A. In addition to your basic pay you will also receive an Annual Bounty tax-free lump sum paid out on completion of your minimum training requirement (including passing basic military tests). The amount of your bounty will vary according to your unit, commitment and experience, but it normally starts at £371 in your first year rising to £1,462 after five years satisfactory service.
Q. Will I have the opportunity for foreign travel?
A. In recent years, members of the TA have travelled all over the world on operational tours, exercises and adventurous training. However, while there are opportunities to travel, this shouldn't be your primary reason for joining the TA. We can't guarantee that you will get that chance.
Q. Is the TA a particularly social organisation?
A. Yes, very much so. You will find plenty of opportunities to let your hair down with your colleagues, from formal balls to informal parties and barbecues.
Q. Will being in the TA improve my employability?
A. It will undoubtedly give you that chance. Many of the skills and qualities you will get from training in the TA, such as negotiation, teamworking, communication, leadership, management and confidence, are transferable across all jobs and work places. In addition you will have the chance to develop specific skills and earn certain qualifications that may be relevant to how you carry out your civilian work.
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Training and Fitness FAQs
Q. When and how will I train?
A. TA training takes place during regular weekend exercises and two-week annual training camps and trade courses.
Q. Do I have to be very fit?
A. You don't need to be a gifted athlete to cope with the demands of TA training. However, you do need a certain basic level of good health and fitness and, more importantly, the willingness to improve by taking part in our graduated fitness programme. An official fitness programme can be provided in advance of your attending a selection weekend.
Q. Can you recommend a training programme?
A. You can obtain a tailored programme online at www.armyfit.mod.uk
Q. What will I learn in the way of skills and qualifications?
A. TA training will give you the opportunity to develop a wealth of practical trade skills relevant to both your civilian and TA jobs. In many cases this can result in the award of recognisable civilian qualifications. You will of course also develop less tangible qualities such as confidence and leadership, which are equally applicable to your professional and personal lives.
Q. Why does the TA train its members in adventerous training activities?
A. While it may look like the perfect excuse to have fun, activities such as climbing, skiing, football, abseiling and canoeing have a serious side too. We believe that they are ideal ways of developing fitness, teamworking skills and confidence, making them perfect complements to the more military aspect of TA training.
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Commitment and Mobilisation FAQs
Q. How much time do I have to commit to the TA?
A. The Army is aware of other commitments in your life and as such is prepared to be flexible in its demands on your time. Generally speaking, if you are a member of an independent unit you need to complete 27 days, which includes 2 weeks annual camp and weekly training evenings. In a Specialist Unit you only need to put in 21 days in your first year, 19 days annually thereafter. You can of course do a lot more than this as your preferences and circumstances allow.
Q. Can I leave at any time?
A. When you first join you sign on for three years. You can apply to leave at any time during this period and after but we strongly recommend that you think carefully about your level of determination and commitment before applying to join.
Q. Could I be mobilised?
A. By joining the TA you indicate that you are prepared to take part in active service, whatever its nature, and there are circumstances under which you may be compulsorily mobilised.
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Employee FAQs
Q. Should I inform my employer if I'm thinking of joining the TA?
A. You do not have to inform your employer of your intentions but it is better for all three parties if your employer is both aware and supportive. They stand to gain almost as much out of your training as you do and you may need to ask for the occasional extra holiday to meet your training commitments.
Q. If I am called up, will my civilian job be protected?
A. If you are compulsorily mobilised, there are procedures for you to follow to protect your job. If you volunteer for an attachment to the regular army then this will usually be in agreement with your employer. Under the Reserve Forces Act 1996, in the event of mobilisation, employers and employees have the right to seek exemption or deferral in certain circumstances
Q. What if I earn more in my civilian job than in the TA? Will I receive compensation?
A. If we take you away from a civilian job that pays more, we will top up your military salary within predetermined limits. If this proves insufficient, and you can demonstrate hardship, you can apply for further increases.
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Employer FAQs
Q. Why should I support my employees joining the TA?
A. The TA could not fulfil the important role it does without the support of its members' employers. Far from 'losing' their staff to the Army, employers find that they stand to gain as much from the arrangement as the individual, the TA.
Q. What benefits will my business gain from TA trained employees?
A. TA trained employees are widely regarded as being more committed, dependable, confident and responsible in the workplace. Some may require a little extra time off to fulfil training commitments, the reward the employer with additional communication, teamworking, problem solving and managerial skills.
Q. How can I find out more about employers relations with the Reserve Forces.
A. Everything you need to know about the triangular relationship between the TA, its members and their employers - including the rights and responsibilities of all parties under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 - is on the SaBRE website.

Next Steps FAQs
Q. I am interested, what do I do now?
A. If you would like to take your interest in the TA further, your immediate next step should be to contact us to find out more about the TA and how to apply. Contact details are here, where you will also find location details of all the units in 101 Battalion REME.
Q. What is the recruitment process?
A. Once you have completed the application stages you will be invited to attend a selection weekend. On successful completion of this weekend you will then commence your recruit training phase.
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