For many years the TA was regarded as the ‘Reserve of last resort’, a force to be called upon only when the nation’s back was against the wall.

Today, it is the ‘Reserve of first choice’, an integral part of Britain’s land forces, using much of the same equipment, operating to the same standards and providing indispensable support to the Regular Army. Indeed, the expression ‘One Army’ is what drives current recruitment and selection, and encapsulates the role of today’s Territorial Army.

TA 100
On 1st April 2008, the TA will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its formation.

SaBRE
Informing employers about the benefits of employing Reservists, and seeking their support for the Volunteer Reserve Forces.

RFCA
Promoting the Volunteer Reserve Forces within the community.

 

It is fair to say that throughout its history, almost every major operation has seen TA soldiers operating alongside their Regular counterparts.

The TA is the largest of all the Reserve Forces, the others being the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR).

Covering the United Kingdom, the TA is divided into three types of unit; National, Regional and Sponsored. Anyone thinking of joining usually has a choice of at least two types of unit, depending on how far they are prepared to travel to attend training.

These units do broadly the same kind of work as the Regular Army.