A bit of advice?

[louis07]

Hi all,

I was originally planning on trying out for the regulars once fit, however, I had a set back with a leg injury which took forever to heal but now all sorted, and I’ve also had a good career opportunity (job and qualification) on civvie street come up that I would be silly to not take.

The above has made me consider trying to join RMR instead of the regulars, as this is the only way of being able to achieve everything that I want (providing I have what it takes, of course).

My questions in regards to RMR are:

1 - Are they respected by the regular guys?

2 - Is there scope to go regulars after a few years? If not, how do the 12 months contracts work that you can do.

3 - Do you actually do everything that’s in the 32 week course on your reserve course?

4 - Will the reserves get the same ‘new’ kit as the regulars? (bit of a bones question I know, but who doesn’t want the best kit?)

5 - Do you get the same sense of ‘brotherhood’ in the reserves as you do in the regulars?

6 - What specialisations can you do? I’ve seen the few listed on the website but I’m assuming that’s not exhaustive.

7 - Do you get to go on many exercises overseas, or is that only if you’re attached to a regular unit for a year.

8 - Are most training sessions done at your local unit as the nearest detachment for me is Merseyside, but I live about 2 hours away from there.

9 - What is life like at a RMR unit once you’ve got your green lid?

10 - Do you get to do adventurous training in the reserves?

Thanks all for taking the time out to read my post and hopefully answer some of my questions.

 

[Dragonsden]

Hi all,

I was originally planning on trying out for the regulars once fit, however, I had a set back with a leg injury which took forever to heal but now all sorted, and I’ve also had a good career opportunity (job and qualification) on civvie street come up that I would be silly to not take.

The above has made me consider trying to join RMR instead of the regulars, as this is the only way of being able to achieve everything that I want (providing I have what it takes, of course).

My questions in regards to RMR are:

1 - Are they respected by the regular guys?

2 - Is there scope to go regulars after a few years? If not, how do the 12 months contracts work that you can do.

3 - Do you actually do everything that’s in the 32 week course on your reserve course?

4 - Will the reserves get the same ‘new’ kit as the regulars? (bit of a bones question I know, but who doesn’t want the best kit?)

5 - Do you get the same sense of ‘brotherhood’ in the reserves as you do in the regulars?

6 - What specialisations can you do? I’ve seen the few listed on the website but I’m assuming that’s not exhaustive.

7 - Do you get to go on many exercises overseas, or is that only if you’re attached to a regular unit for a year.

8 - Are most training sessions done at your local unit as the nearest detachment for me is Merseyside

9 - What is life like at a RMR unit once you’ve got your green lid?

10 - Do you get to do adventurous training in the reserves?

Thanks all for taking the time out to read my post and hopefully answer some of my questions.

Just to point out, there will be regular exercises some may be longer than a couple days so you need to make sure that your able to go and do that it’s not really a case of weather your free or not it’s a case of if yiu need to go in exercise you go on exercise

 

[louis07]

Just to point out, there will be regular exercises some may be longer than a couple days so you need to make sure that your able to go and do that it’s not really a case of weather your free or not it’s a case of if yiu need to go in exercise you go on exercise

Is that one a year? Or could it be like 3-4 2 week exercises per year?

 

[Dragonsden]

Is that one a year? Or could it be like 3-4 2 week exercises per year

it really depends but def more than one a year. Just because it’s reserve doesn’t mean you won’t be doing anything. Some exercises will be a few weeks. Reserves needs you 100% commitment and if you can’t do that then don’t join

 

[louis07]

it really depends but def more than one a year. Just because it’s reserve doesn’t mean you won’t be doing anything. Some exercises will be a few weeks. Reserves needs you 100% commitment and if you can’t do that then don’t join

Fair enough. From what I’ve read, you have to do 14 days non-continuous training which can be accumulated over drill nights and weekends, and then 14 days continuous training which can be done over 2 1 week block periods. Not seen anything about multiple exercises though, will have to look more into that.

 

[Jaykay2343]

In my company there are a few reserves lads on FTRS. They are good lads, good at their job and get on well with everybody else, to the point you forget they are reserves , and are essentially 'one of the lads'.

They don't get singled out or given the crap jobs, and if anything I respect the fact they could have a cushy home/work life but still dig out like everybody else on ex when things get uncomfortable. You will get your green lid, but then do a field firing package for 2 weeks with a nod troop who are towards the end of their training.

You can now do reserves then transfer into full time I believe after a 2 year FTRS. This is something I disagree on as I feel in someway it's a sidewards, and easier way in. Nod training is nod training for a reason. Reserves training will not replicate the anxiety and sleep deprivation when the training team really decide to test you.

 

[Rob20]

it really depends but def more than one a year. Just because it’s reserve doesn’t mean you won’t be doing anything. Some exercises will be a few weeks. Reserves needs you 100% commitment and if you can’t do that then don’t join

To clarify this, is this based on experience or hard fact?

From friends I know in the reserves, in order to get their annual bounty, they'd need to complete a 2 week exercise or occasionally 2x 1 week blocks. And then they're usual weekends and drill nights. I think its 28 days to qualify for the bounty but would need to double check.

 

[louis07]

In my company there are a few reserves lads on FTRS. They are good lads, good at their job and get on well with everybody else, to the point you forget they are reserves , and are essentially 'one of the lads'.

They don't get singled out or given the crap jobs, and if anything I respect the fact they could have a cushy home/work life but still dig out like everybody else on ex when things get uncomfortable. You will get your green lid, but then do a field firing package for 2 weeks with a nod troop who are towards the end of their training.

You can now do reserves then transfer into full time I believe after a 2 year FTRS. This is something I disagree on as I feel in someway it's a sidewards, and easier way in. Nod training is nod training for a reason. Reserves training will not replicate the anxiety and sleep deprivation when the training team really decide to test you.

That’s good to hear, from an outsider looking in, you could assume that because one bunch of guys has done their training differently that they may be looked at differently. Good to hear that as long as you’re squared away, you’ll be treated as one of the lads.

Interesting that you can transfer over, but that’s something to look into once I get there.

Thanks for the informative reply!

 

[Jaykay2343]

That’s good to hear, from an outsider looking in, you could assume that because one bunch of guys has done their training differently that they may be looked at differently. Good to hear that as long as you’re squared away, you’ll be treated as one of the lads.

Interesting that you can transfer over, but that’s something to look into once I get there.

Thanks for the informative reply!

I don't look at them differently, or treat them differently and neither does anybody else.

They chose to go reserves for their own circumstances regarding home life or personal reasons etc and couldn't commit full time. Like all across the Tri services ,they are called upon/volunteer when needed to supplement the numbers.

It's the bit about transferring to full time after FTRS

It's just my personal opinion(and a few others) that if going full time, you used to start day 1 like a nod. It's hard to explain on here mate, but the mental hardship side of recruit training isn't replicated in reserves training which I believe , arguably, is the true marker if you can cut it or not.

 

[louis07]

I don't look at them differently, or treat them differently and neither does anybody else.

They chose to go reserves for their own circumstances regarding home life or personal reasons etc and couldn't commit full time. Like all across the Tri services ,they are called upon/volunteer when needed to supplement the numbers.

It's the bit about transferring to full time after FTRS

It's just my personal opinion(and a few others) that if going full time, you used to start day 1 like a nod. It's hard to explain on here mate, but the mental hardship side of recruit training isn't replicated in reserves training which I believe , arguably, is the true marker if you can cut it or not.

That’s a fair point. I’m sure both routes have their advantages and disadvantages. I get what you’re saying though, as with regular RT you’re at the mercy of the TT 24/7 whereas they only have you part-time on reserve RT.

Either way, like you said, both play an integral part to the units to which they serve, and when called upon they do their respective jobs and duties just like anyone else.

 

[R4Robotics]

Take 2 of a reply as I lost my first attempt seconds prior to posting.

1 - Are they respected by the regular guys?
It is good to have a view from Regulars. Personally, I think a reservist is judged on the experience of the last reservist a regular has had dealings with and visa versa. I have known of a lot of frosty moments and situations where reservists have been treated differently and many the opposite. Reservists are sometimes seen as an advantage given their life skills.. admittedly they need the soldiering element to back this up.

2 - Is there scope to go regulars after a few years? If not, how do the 12 months contracts work that you can do.
This is a dynamic situation. I have known people be promised transfers at the end of FTRS to then be blocked. I have known lads with tour experience have to go back to week 1 day 1 of training to gain entry into the Corps. Ultimately, it depends on the needs of the Corps. If they are toppers with blokes you won't stand a chance. If you think c20 lads every 2 week pass out of training - you need 40 plus lads with their chits in and a budget to provide the demand for transfers. Hence there being a carrot for regulars to join the reserves.

3 - Do you actually do everything that’s in the 32 week course on your reserve course?
In simple words - No. All the weekends bar assessments are carried out over a weekend. you do the fundamentals and touch on most elements of the training but you aren't immersed. There was an understanding that a reservists will be trained to a state of readiness ie. provided with the foundations so that with x weeks of training at a unit they would be ready to deploy. I will stress that all fitness tests are to Regular standards. There is/was a requirement for you to join regular nod troops to complete elements of training eg. Live firing.

4 - Will the reserves get the same ‘new’ kit as the regulars? (bit of a bones question I know, but who doesn’t want the best kit?)
Elements of the new kit ie. Uniform will no doubt make there way to the reserve units promptly. Higher priced elements - once regular nods get the kit generally RMR will. You see where RMR is in priorities (understandably). However, if you join a unit/deploy you will use the kit either issued by your parent unit or the sponsoring unit. What and whether you get keep any - will depend on the kit and the TQMS and how many packs of biscuits you are willing to part with.

5 - Do you get the same sense of ‘brotherhood’ in the reserves as you do in the regulars?
At face value yes after all you are looking out for each other. I think those bonds grow if you deploy and fight for each other. If not - I think the bonds can wither away. That said - regular or reservist if you bump into a Boatneck there is always that connection and common interest that forms quick bonds.

6 - What specialisations can you do? I’ve seen the few listed on the website but I’m assuming that’s not exhaustive.
Heavy Weapons (Tank) (Bristol), Mortars (Mersey), Assault Engineers (Tyne) LC (London and Pan-RMR). Additional SQ would be hard to achieve although rumour has it if you are willing to attend courses unpaid and there are spaces on course then you can attend. There have been Sniper reservists and MLs though these are historical and like hen's teeth. Again, expect to be tied into the above.

7 - Do you get to go on many exercises overseas, or is that only if you’re attached to a regular unit for a year.
Not really - there was black alligator. Now the main exercise is Norway. Sometimes the RMR annual camp is overseas. However, apart for that there are limited chances - though attachments do come up occasionally. You have to remember that the RMR is a different beast to the Army Reserve. The AR deploy as units whereas the RMR - generally - you have to be "substituted" into units to deploy. The LCs - historically - tend to have more opportunities.

8 - Are most training sessions done at your local unit as the nearest detachment for me is Merseyside, but I live about 2 hours away from there.
Week nights are your local det. Weekends will be at the unit's chosen training area. Though some units have mixed up the training locations to spice up training. You will meet at a central location and then be bussed to the training. Assessments will be at CTC.

9 - What is life like at a RMR unit once you’ve got your green lid?
Socially - with or without a lid life is pretty much the same. The regular division of Nod/trained rank doesn't exist within a detachment.

Soldering wise - units tend to be geared up to getting lads trained. There is/was very little opportunity for trained ranks continuation training. Instead trained ranks would join nod weekends (usually the Gucci weekends) to help bolster their training days. Over the years the 2 weeks camp have started to be challenging and training. Obviously you have the chance to do a lot more adhoc tasing to support units, etc, etc.

10 - Do you get to do adventurous training in the reserves?
Due to budget the RMR do not do AT weekends or week aways. However, there is the navy ski champs you can attend (limited spaces) and you can also join the Navy sports societies (there is website with them listed). Membership is self funded, however, if the unit contribute to any time away this is a bonus. Sports include (and not limited to) Varies motorsports, climbing, football, hockey.. the list goes on.

 

[R4Robotics]

That’s a fair point. I’m sure both routes have their advantages and disadvantages. I get what you’re saying though, as with regular RT you’re at the mercy of the TT 24/7 whereas they only have you part-time on reserve RT.

Either way, like you said, both play an integral part to the units to which they serve, and when called upon they do their respective jobs and duties just like anyone else.

This is valid.. when the Regulars are at the mercy of the TT 24/7 (and paid). They also have a PTI and facilities to support them. The Reservist doesn't have TT 24/7 instead they have a job, family/girl friend 24/7 (unpaid) and have to find time in the schedule to train and find training sessions/equipment to meet their needs. You need very understanding family

As you correctly say they both have advantages and disadvantages and both should be respected for the challenges - be it a TT or an irate girl friend/wife or training/injury.

As has been suggested both bring a different toolset to the party and when called upon - once you are in the mix - how you got there gets forgotten.

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

Hi all,

I was originally planning on trying out for the regulars once fit, however, I had a set back with a leg injury which took forever to heal but now all sorted, and I’ve also had a good career opportunity (job and qualification) on civvie street come up that I would be silly to not take.

The above has made me consider trying to join RMR instead of the regulars, as this is the only way of being able to achieve everything that I want (providing I have what it takes, of course).

My questions in regards to RMR are:

1 - Are they respected by the regular guys?

2 - Is there scope to go regulars after a few years? If not, how do the 12 months contracts work that you can do.

3 - Do you actually do everything that’s in the 32 week course on your reserve course?

4 - Will the reserves get the same ‘new’ kit as the regulars? (bit of a bones question I know, but who doesn’t want the best kit?)

5 - Do you get the same sense of ‘brotherhood’ in the reserves as you do in the regulars?

6 - What specialisations can you do? I’ve seen the few listed on the website but I’m assuming that’s not exhaustive.

7 - Do you get to go on many exercises overseas, or is that only if you’re attached to a regular unit for a year.

8 - Are most training sessions done at your local unit as the nearest detachment for me is Merseyside, but I live about 2 hours away from there.

9 - What is life like at a RMR unit once you’ve got your green lid?

10 - Do you get to do adventurous training in the reserves?

Thanks all for taking the time out to read my post and hopefully answer some of my questions.

1- If you are a good egg, know your stuff, willing to learn and aren’t a throbber, then yea you will be respected, expect some slight ribbing though for being a “rubber” dagger.

2- You can sideways transfer into the regulars now without redoing regular recruit training. This will be dependent on your SJARs (annual reports), how your chain of command feel about you as a Marine, whether it’s a good fit or not.
If you are pinged (chosen) for a deployment then your civilian job is protected by law, you are then paid by the RM matched at your civilian wage, you do your deployment, you return have your leave and go back to your Civilian employment. They are required by law to leave it open, they can’t fire you.
There is some discrepancies with wages if you are self employed, or run a business or if your wage is too high for the threshold to be paid.

3- You do the contents of the 32 weeks recruit training in about a year. The Reserve Commando Course is the Commando tests. You will be required through that year to attend and pass certain parts of the Reserve training. These will be in the form of long weekends.
Be advised that should you be backtrooped or injured you will take a lot longer than a year to pass out.

4- No. A lot of the kit is old kit, it works and does the job, but we arent required to have the latest Gucci kit. That being said, there is newer bits of kit, weapons, optics filtering down.
If you take a deployment you will be issued with the latest kit that is being issued to the rest of the Unit you deploy with.
Some of it is classed as PPE and you may be able to keep with you when you return to your RMR unit as it shouldn’t be reissued. However this isn’t always the case.

5- Yes, obviously there’s a bit of ribbing and banter between ex regulars and full rubber daggers. But everyone gets stuck in, I have known some RMR lads who are considerably better than regular counterparts.

6- At the minute specialisations for RMR are sort of on pause. A lot would be General Duties, however there may be a chance for you to get an SQ, not all SQs are open to RMR ranks though.
There are also other courses you could take, to make you more valuable to your RMR unit and to help it to run smoothly.

7- There is an annual 2 week camp for Reserves to complete. There is also options to deploy for 3 weeks to Norway, and potentially attach to regular units for trips.
There is rare chances to get Gucci trips to places like the Jungle, unless the Permanent staff decided to swipe it and see the RMR lads off.

8- Yes. Drill nights are done at your Unit, the training weekends will be done at specific places, you will need to just worry about turning up at the Unit and they will provide transport to the Weekend.

9- This depends on your unit. It’s very much geared towards recruits, so any trained rank activities can and usually will be binned off to cover the recruits. You can volunteer to help with recruit weekends if they are low on numbers. Other than that, you should do continuous training for your SQ and or training for whatever is on the syllabus.

10- You can, however I won’t lie to you, it depends on the Unit and the Staff. It’s available but I’ve never done any or heard of anyone doing anything. Unless it’s organised off your own back. It’s sort of taken a back seat.

RMR relies on your own free time and self discipline. It’s a very big commitment and not to be taken lightly.

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

To clarify this, is this based on experience or hard fact?

From friends I know in the reserves, in order to get their annual bounty, they'd need to complete a 2 week exercise or occasionally 2x 1 week blocks. And then they're usual weekends and drill nights. I think its 28 days to qualify for the bounty but would need to double check.

You are correct. You have a set number of days for the year. Then a 2 week annual camp.
Which could be signed off as a Norway trip or any other 2 week continuous training.

 

[louis07]

Take 2 of a reply as I lost my first attempt seconds prior to posting.

1 - Are they respected by the regular guys?
It is good to have a view from Regulars. Personally, I think a reservist is judged on the experience of the last reservist a regular has had dealings with and visa versa. I have known of a lot of frosty moments and situations where reservists have been treated differently and many the opposite. Reservists are sometimes seen as an advantage given their life skills.. admittedly they need the soldiering element to back this up.

2 - Is there scope to go regulars after a few years? If not, how do the 12 months contracts work that you can do.
This is a dynamic situation. I have known people be promised transfers at the end of FTRS to then be blocked. I have known lads with tour experience have to go back to week 1 day 1 of training to gain entry into the Corps. Ultimately, it depends on the needs of the Corps. If they are toppers with blokes you won't stand a chance. If you think c20 lads every 2 week pass out of training - you need 40 plus lads with their chits in and a budget to provide the demand for transfers. Hence there being a carrot for regulars to join the reserves.

3 - Do you actually do everything that’s in the 32 week course on your reserve course?
In simple words - No. All the weekends bar assessments are carried out over a weekend. you do the fundamentals and touch on most elements of the training but you aren't immersed. There was an understanding that a reservists will be trained to a state of readiness ie. provided with the foundations so that with x weeks of training at a unit they would be ready to deploy. I will stress that all fitness tests are to Regular standards. There is/was a requirement for you to join regular nod troops to complete elements of training eg. Live firing.

4 - Will the reserves get the same ‘new’ kit as the regulars? (bit of a bones question I know, but who doesn’t want the best kit?)
Elements of the new kit ie. Uniform will no doubt make there way to the reserve units promptly. Higher priced elements - once regular nods get the kit generally RMR will. You see where RMR is in priorities (understandably). However, if you join a unit/deploy you will use the kit either issued by your parent unit or the sponsoring unit. What and whether you get keep any - will depend on the kit and the TQMS and how many packs of biscuits you are willing to part with.

5 - Do you get the same sense of ‘brotherhood’ in the reserves as you do in the regulars?
At face value yes after all you are looking out for each other. I think those bonds grow if you deploy and fight for each other. If not - I think the bonds can wither away. That said - regular or reservist if you bump into a Boatneck there is always that connection and common interest that forms quick bonds.

6 - What specialisations can you do? I’ve seen the few listed on the website but I’m assuming that’s not exhaustive.
Heavy Weapons (Tank) (Bristol), Mortars (Mersey), Assault Engineers (Tyne) LC (London and Pan-RMR). Additional SQ would be hard to achieve although rumour has it if you are willing to attend courses unpaid and there are spaces on course then you can attend. There have been Sniper reservists and MLs though these are historical and like hen's teeth. Again, expect to be tied into the above.

7 - Do you get to go on many exercises overseas, or is that only if you’re attached to a regular unit for a year.
Not really - there was black alligator. Now the main exercise is Norway. Sometimes the RMR annual camp is overseas. However, apart for that there are limited chances - though attachments do come up occasionally. You have to remember that the RMR is a different beast to the Army Reserve. The AR deploy as units whereas the RMR - generally - you have to be "substituted" into units to deploy. The LCs - historically - tend to have more opportunities.

8 - Are most training sessions done at your local unit as the nearest detachment for me is Merseyside, but I live about 2 hours away from there.
Week nights are your local det. Weekends will be at the unit's chosen training area. Though some units have mixed up the training locations to spice up training. You will meet at a central location and then be bussed to the training. Assessments will be at CTC.

9 - What is life like at a RMR unit once you’ve got your green lid?
Socially - with or without a lid life is pretty much the same. The regular division of Nod/trained rank doesn't exist within a detachment.

Soldering wise - units tend to be geared up to getting lads trained. There is/was very little opportunity for trained ranks continuation training. Instead trained ranks would join nod weekends (usually the Gucci weekends) to help bolster their training days. Over the years the 2 weeks camp have started to be challenging and training. Obviously you have the chance to do a lot more adhoc tasing to support units, etc, etc.

10 - Do you get to do adventurous training in the reserves?
Due to budget the RMR do not do AT weekends or week aways. However, there is the navy ski champs you can attend (limited spaces) and you can also join the Navy sports societies (there is website with them listed). Membership is self funded, however, if the unit contribute to any time away this is a bonus. Sports include (and not limited to) Varies motorsports, climbing, football, hockey.. the list goes on.

Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions, really appreciated. It all sounds really interesting and definitely something I’m going to try and pursue.

Another question, how much firing / range time do you actually get? I only ask this as I would assume that marksmanship is an important skill to be on top of, regardless of if you’re a regular or reservist, right?

Going to look into the recruitment process now and try and gauge when will be best to apply.

Thanks again!

 

[louis07]

1- If you are a good egg, know your stuff, willing to learn and aren’t a throbber, then yea you will be respected, expect some slight ribbing though for being a “rubber” dagger.

2- You can sideways transfer into the regulars now without redoing regular recruit training. This will be dependent on your SJARs (annual reports), how your chain of command feel about you as a Marine, whether it’s a good fit or not.
If you are pinged (chosen) for a deployment then your civilian job is protected by law, you are then paid by the RM matched at your civilian wage, you do your deployment, you return have your leave and go back to your Civilian employment. They are required by law to leave it open, they can’t fire you.
There is some discrepancies with wages if you are self employed, or run a business or if your wage is too high for the threshold to be paid.

3- You do the contents of the 32 weeks recruit training in about a year. The Reserve Commando Course is the Commando tests. You will be required through that year to attend and pass certain parts of the Reserve training. These will be in the form of long weekends.
Be advised that should you be backtrooped or injured you will take a lot longer than a year to pass out.

4- No. A lot of the kit is old kit, it works and does the job, but we arent required to have the latest Gucci kit. That being said, there is newer bits of kit, weapons, optics filtering down.
If you take a deployment you will be issued with the latest kit that is being issued to the rest of the Unit you deploy with.
Some of it is classed as PPE and you may be able to keep with you when you return to your RMR unit as it shouldn’t be reissued. However this isn’t always the case.

5- Yes, obviously there’s a bit of ribbing and banter between ex regulars and full rubber daggers. But everyone gets stuck in, I have known some RMR lads who are considerably better than regular counterparts.

6- At the minute specialisations for RMR are sort of on pause. A lot would be General Duties, however there may be a chance for you to get an SQ, not all SQs are open to RMR ranks though.
There are also other courses you could take, to make you more valuable to your RMR unit and to help it to run smoothly.

7- There is an annual 2 week camp for Reserves to complete. There is also options to deploy for 3 weeks to Norway, and potentially attach to regular units for trips.
There is rare chances to get Gucci trips to places like the Jungle, unless the Permanent staff decided to swipe it and see the RMR lads off.

8- Yes. Drill nights are done at your Unit, the training weekends will be done at specific places, you will need to just worry about turning up at the Unit and they will provide transport to the Weekend.

9- This depends on your unit. It’s very much geared towards recruits, so any trained rank activities can and usually will be binned off to cover the recruits. You can volunteer to help with recruit weekends if they are low on numbers. Other than that, you should do continuous training for your SQ and or training for whatever is on the syllabus.

10- You can, however I won’t lie to you, it depends on the Unit and the Staff. It’s available but I’ve never done any or heard of anyone doing anything. Unless it’s organised off your own back. It’s sort of taken a back seat.

RMR relies on your own free time and self discipline. It’s a very big commitment and not to be taken lightly.

Thanks for answering my questions, much appreciated!


Yeah I’m definitely going to look a lot more into it before making any big decisions, but I’ve always had this itch to try and join, and whilst I’m only 21 I feel like the longer I leave it the less likely I’ll be of joining (I.e. more commitments on civvie street).

Do you get given a training plan to stick to when not on drill nights or weekends throughout the training process, or do you have to sort your own fitness plan out?

Thanks again!

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions, really appreciated. It all sounds really interesting and definitely something I’m going to try and pursue.

Another question, how much firing / range time do you actually get? I only ask this as I would assume that marksmanship is an important skill to be on top of, regardless of if you’re a regular or reservist, right?

Going to look into the recruitment process now and try and gauge when will be best to apply.

Thanks again!

You would be surprised how little firing even the Regulars do.

For RMR There’s various shooting weekends covering rifle and GPMG, a 2 week live fire package after the reserve commando course.
There’s annual shooting packages that need to be passed to earn your bounty.

Regulars have a 2 week range package during training and a 2 week live firing package towards the end of training. Then when you go to unit you will take part in various training and range packages for the various weapon systems you will use.
There’s the same annual shooting package to complete aswell.

 

[ThreadpigeonsAlpha]

Thanks for answering my questions, much appreciated!


Yeah I’m definitely going to look a lot more into it before making any big decisions, but I’ve always had this itch to try and join, and whilst I’m only 21 I feel like the longer I leave it the less likely I’ll be of joining (I.e. more commitments on civvie street).

Do you get given a training plan to stick to when not on drill nights or weekends throughout the training process, or do you have to sort your own fitness plan out?

Thanks again!

As a young lad I would lean more towards regulars but RMR can fit into certain peoples lifestyle, it’s just a big commitment.

You will have a training plan for the year, you will know the training weekend, the aims of the weekends. And the drill nights.
There are various ways of tracking your fitness training and there’s programmes written out to follow, you usually get a brief each week on what to work on in build up to the next training weekend.

The weekends work out every fortnight, with a few exceptions. Some weekends will be long weekends starting on Thursday night or ending Monday afternoon. But you should be given plenty of warning.

 

[R4Robotics]

You would be surprised how little firing even the Regulars do.

For RMR There’s various shooting weekends covering rifle and GPMG, a 2 week live fire package after the reserve commando course.
There’s annual shooting packages that need to be passed to earn your bounty.

Regulars have a 2 week range package during training and a 2 week live firing package towards the end of training. Then when you go to unit you will take part in various training and range packages for the various weapon systems you will use.
There’s the same annual shooting package to complete aswell.

As said not much firing is done. There are a couple of weekends through training where you’ll live fire. Sometimes there will be DCCT time (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) - a PlayStation with adapted issued weapons - to hone skills. Also, as said there is the annual ACMT (Annual Combat Marksmanship Test), along with the small matter of the shoot included in the endurance course.

With the comment re: “as a younger lad I would lean towards regular” - I initially find myself disagreeing *but* quickly tending to agree, the right circumstances. Without those circumstances RMR is good and if you can get time at a unit - be it an FTRS or mobilisation - then I think the “itch” will be scratched - depending on your reasons for joining.

 

[louis07]

As a young lad I would lean more towards regulars but RMR can fit into certain peoples lifestyle, it’s just a big commitment.

You will have a training plan for the year, you will know the training weekend, the aims of the weekends. And the drill nights.
There are various ways of tracking your fitness training and there’s programmes written out to follow, you usually get a brief each week on what to work on in build up to the next training weekend.

The weekends work out every fortnight, with a few exceptions. Some weekends will be long weekends starting on Thursday night or ending Monday afternoon. But you should be given plenty of warning.

Ah right, that sounds pretty decent then.

I did originally want to go down the regular route, but to be honest, I’m kinda torn between accepting a guaranteed all paid for higher education qualification whilst working (which will take probably 3-4 years to complete), or go for it full time and risk getting injured and then not have anything!

I don’t hate what I do / will be doing in my current career, but I have always wanted to be part of something more purposeful at the same time, that being the Marines in my case.

The only realistic way I could potentially do both would be to go down the reserves route from the looks of it.

Thanks again.