TA in suspended animation for 6 moths to cut costs

[BennytheBall]

Have read on the internet news site and the sunday papers yesterday that the TA have suspended all drill nights and weekend training for 6 months which will save the defence budget 20 million pounds.

Does this mean that PSAO's NRPS's PSI all go on "gardening leave for 6 months?

Your views please.

BennytheBall

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I'm sure the NRPS and PSI's will be glad of some "time space" to catch up with admin such as equipment checks, PRE pre-inspection checks (stores, weapons, radio equipment and vehicles). Recces for future training exercises and even some personal time for courses and education. It will take the pressure off for a while and I'm sure they will appreciate it. From the TA point of view, I think there will losses in numbers attending when they return. I know that some are in the TA for a hobby (albeit a paid one) and may find something else in the meanwhile to fill their time. It's the hardcore TA lads and lasses I feel sorry for, as many of them have come to depend on the extra income and indeed pay much of their mortgages with the money. How I wonder will this affect the annual "Bounty" if personel have only a six month window in which to meet their commitments?

[Paul Hinge]

Hi Benny and Gwyn

My question would be, is the Army so flush with troops that the TA who until quite recently to my knowledge were training to deploy with Regular Forces so this is something out of the blue!
I sit on RFCA (Wales) and they state they have heard nothing concrete on this (as I write this message).

This government have gone completely banannas!

Hingey

[Barry69]

I suppose its easy to cut TA Hours than pay back false claims, but I agree it will induce losses in numbers attending at a later date, and 6 months none training will have its own draw backs later too?

I Guess times are bad if we have too cut back in the TA,what next ?

[sixties]

If this is true we are going to be the laughing stock of the world.
The Taliban & others will be partying into the night at having to fight part time TA Personnell.
Why cant they get rid of the white collar workers.

[peterlansley]

This is not the first time .In1967 it was proposed to disband the TA except for highly populated areas, The welsh regiments were amalgamated into the Welsh Volunteers who served on limited training until the reformation of the3rd bn RWF and the 3rd and4th bns RRW. Having a involvement with these units in a relitively peaceful time . HOW IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES can they afford to cut back on training and still expect to send reservists to Afganistan is simply amazing. ITS time to mobilize Parliment and tell them to fight there own battles.

[benney]

yes its happend no trg for me untill at least apr 2010, lets face it guys the army is brassic, and tnat is no joke

[keithwill38]

I see on the Welsh news on the Teletext page, that the band of The Royal Welsh have had their future engagments cancelled including playing before and at half time in the WRU forthcomming internationals

[daibeer]

Will,
Its time to find your old drum mate, me and you, Millenium stadium.