your guide to becoming an officer in the territorial army

territorial
army officer
skills for business, leadership for life
 fitness
opportunity “the Army
“the training makes it
gave me a easy to
chance to get fit and
learn more to try new
about myself activities”
skills for business, and to test
my limits”
carl pates
page 27

leadership for life Nicola hemsworth

page 32
Are you looking for something extra? Maybe you want a new
challenge, a way to improve your fitness or an opportunity
to test and develop your leadership skills. You can get all of
these things by joining the Army as a Territorial officer.
Territorial units make up a quarter of the Army’s strength.
Unlike the Regulars, Territorials train in their spare time so
they can combine military life with their existing careers.
As an officer your training takes the form of an extensive
leadership and management programme to prepare you for
leadership
the responsibilities of leading soldiers. It is accredited by
the Chartered Management Institute and conducted by staff “Iwas looking
for a way
from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. to develop
Whatever you do in civilian life, becoming a Territorial officer my skills as
is a great way to expand your horizons. You get paid for your a leader”
time and gain skills that are valued in business and in life. Keith cahill
Page 14 People
qualify as a leader “The Best part
All Territorial officers of being an
contents gain the Chartered officer is
Management Institute’s working with
people 4–9 fitness 22–27 Level 5 Certificate in the soldiers” challenge
06 How to become a TA officer 24 H
 ow military training can Management and
06 Face to face with TA officers boost your fitness Leadership. This is Simar singh “combining
07 The basic entry requirements 24 Expert advice to help you widely recognised by page 6 my role in
get ready for selection civilian employers. the army
leadership 10–15 27 T
 ake your sport further on with a
12 B
 enefits to you
14 B
 enefits to your employer
an Army expedition civilian job
15 W hat your employer needs opportunity 28–40 keeps me
to know 30 S
 election and training motivated”
32 O fficer training at Sandhurst leanne christmas
challenge 16–21 34 Y
 our route to becoming page 21
18 S erving on operations an Army officer
21 A
 pplying your military skills 36 W
 here to use your skills

Employer? officers to your organisation page 15

to your civilian job 37 F
 ive years on... Find out about the value of Territorial
21 Territorial pay and benefits 38 T
 aking the next steps

2
 people
There’s no such thing as a typical Territorial officer. They come from all walks of life
and they all have their own reasons for joining. Meet them, and find out more
06 How to become a Territorial Army officer
06 Face to face with TA officers
07 The basic entry requirements
 people

“i wanted to be 
part of a team”
There are many reasons to become a Territorial officer, and
four ways to join. Meet four officers and read their stories
The Territorial Army’s greatest strength is its
people. As an officer, your job will be to get the
best out of them, turning a diverse group with
a wide range of skills and experiences into an
effective team able to tackle any task that it’s
assigned. There are four main routes you can
take to become a Territorial officer.
have no previous military experience. Once you
have passed officer selection, you will be able
to go straight into officer training at a Regional
Training Centre (RTC).
Unit potential officer
After serving in a Territorial unit as a soldier you
because you’ve already got basic military skills
you won’t have to start right at the beginning.
UOTC officer
There are 19 University Officer Training Corps
across the country. Officer cadets are students
and take part in military and other activities, but
have no obligation to join the Army and cannot
deploy on operations. After graduating, if you
aren’t joining the Regular Army, you can choose
to transfer to a TA unit.
TA Sponsored officer
A TA Sponsored Officer (TASO) is a student who
has been provisionally accepted and sponsored
by their chosen Territorial unit, but who does
most of their officer training through a UOTC.
If you choose this route, you’ll return to your
Territorial unit after you have graduated to
complete your officer training.
the direct
entry officer
tim lillie
engineering student /
troop commander
Tim joined the Territorial Army as it gave
him the opportunity to combine military
training with his academic work. He chose
to join the Royal Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers and is currently studying for a
degree in engineering at Imperial College.
Why did you become a TA officer?
I chose the Army because you get to do a
massive range of activities, from soldiering
to adventure sports. I was keen to get into

Direct entry
Most Territorial units accept officers who can
demonstrate leadership potential, even if they
might choose to apply for officer training, or
you could be identified as a suitable officer
Served as a Regular? a leadership role so I chose the Direct Entry
route, which allows you to become an officer
Find out how you can transfer your
candidate by the staff at your unit. You will without serving as a TA soldier first.
commission. See page 35 for details
need to pass some selection courses, but What does being a Territorial give you?
You get an intense sense of comradeship
from your unit. It’s like being part of a very

the UNIT potential officer
Simar singh
lawyer / platoon commander
Simar joined the Territorial Army
as a soldier shortly after starting
a new job. “I was working in an
office,” he says, “and was looking
for a way to bring more adventure
into my life.” He has recently
been selected for officer training.
Why do you want to be an officer?
I see it as a way of developing my
civilian and Army careers at the
same time. Both of them rely on
sound administrative and man
management abilities, as well as a
talent for leadership, so I’ll be able
to develop skills that I can transfer
between the two worlds.
large, very diverse family. There are people
there who have been in the Regulars, others
who are running their own businesses and
others who are just starting out. It’s the
officer’s job to make them into a team.
What does your job involve?
Are there advantages to serving I help with the running of my unit and deal
as a soldier first? with any welfare issues that come up. It
Yes. It’s the soldiers on the ground would take me a long time anywhere else
who make things happen. If you to get the level of responsibility I get as an
understand their mindset because officer, and it’s a great way to meet people.
you’ve been in the same position,
I think it makes you a better leader
and enhances your credibility. basic requirements
Was it easy to apply? To become an officer in the
When I decided that I wanted to
become an officer I spoke to my Territorial Army you must:
platoon commander and he n Be over 18 and under 35
helped me with the application n Be a UK, Irish or Commonwealth citizen
process. I’m due to start my officer who has been living in the UK for five years
training in a few weeks. It feels like n Have achieved 35 ALIS points in your best
a natural step after all the work seven subjects at GCSE, and 180 UCAS
that I’ve done as a soldier. tariff points at AS and A level

6

the ta sponsored officer
nicola hemsworth
strategic buyer / troop commander
Nicola’s local Territorial unit
sponsored her officer training
while she was at university. The TA
helps her strike a balance between
Army life and a civilian career.
How do you benefit from being
a Territorial officer?
It’s really helped me improve my
people skills. I work as a buyer, so
I spend a lot of time negotiating
with clients. I need to be able to talk
to them in an authoritative way and
use my confidence to make sure I
get a good price. I’m sure my Army
training has played a part in that.
8 9
What kind of people do you meet?
There isn’t a particular type but no
matter what you do, you’ll always
find people you get on with. I
became friends with a lot of the
people I met in officer training and
we’re still in touch with each other.
What do you want to do next?
In the long term I’d like to get some
more experience with my unit, and
maybe get a training post so I can
give something back to the Army.
It’s not too long ago that I got my
commission, so in the short term
I’m looking forward to going on
exercise with my new unit.
the uotc officer
calvin smith student / platoon commander
Calvin Smith joined the University
Officer Training Corps (UOTC) in
his first year at university. “It’s not
a tough choice,” he says. “You learn
new skills, there’s a great social life
and you get paid as well.”
Is the UOTC like the Army?
The training gives you a taster of Army
life, but it isn’t really tough and the staff
aren’t looking for people who are super
fit. It’s about being enthusiastic and
“Your job is to
turn a diverse
group of people
into a team“
getting involved. People often say that
they’re surprised by what they’ve been
able to achieve. If it wasn’t fun, they
wouldn’t keep coming back.
What kind of people join?
There’s a huge range. Some want to go
on and join the Army, others just want
to do activities that are beyond the reach
of the other clubs and societies.
Does it clash with your studies?
No. The staff know that university is
about getting a degree and everything
people
else comes after that. If you can’t get to
training because there’s an essay due or
an exam to revise for, all you have to do
is tell your platoon commander.
What sort of activities do you do?
As well as the classic military stuff such
as weapons handling and tactics, you
get the chance to try things like diving
or skiing. We’re going skydiving in
California later this year – we’ll be paid
for the whole two weeks we’re away and
everyone will get a qualification.
 leadership
You don’t have to work in management to become an officer. All you need is
leadership potential. If you’ve got it, Territorial officer training will do the rest
12 How leadership training benefits you
14 How your leadership training benefits your employer
15 What your employer needs to know

“if you can 
make 30 Tired
soldiers listen,
teaching 15
kids is easy”
The employee
Mani Sodhi
Teacher / platoon commander
Mani Sodhi did his officer training while he
was also completing his teacher training
course. He had been working in a bank and
wanted a total change. “Becoming an officer
felt like the logical extension of what I wanted
to do as a teacher,” Mani says. “Both of the
jobs are about people and both have helped
me to develop as a leader.”
YOU LEARN HOW TO TALK TO PEOPLE
“I take a lot of skills from my training as
a platoon commander into the classroom,
especially around communicating and
presenting your ideas. If you can make 30
tired soldiers listen to an hour-and-a-half
leadership
of orders while you’re on an exercise, then it’s
easy to get 15 kids to pay attention when you’re
teaching economics.
YOU DEVELOP A ‘CAN DO’ ATTITUDE
“People in the Army never say, ‘I can’t do this.’
If there’s a problem, they find a way to solve it,
and that’s an approach I’ve taken with me into
school. A few weeks ago a class were due to go
on a school trip but their teacher had called in Mani’s Skills CV
sick at the last minute, so I agreed to take the Army training and experience gives TA
trip instead. When you’re leading soldiers on officers the following transferable skills:
an operation, excuses aren’t an option. n Presentation skills
n Communication skills
DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT n Self-discipline
HELPS YOU FOCUS n Self-motivation
“It’s good to get away from the academic world n Planning skills
sometimes, and the training we do is so far n Instruction techniques
removed from school life that it’s really helpful. »
 leadership

» When I did my teaching qualification, some employers:

of the people on the course were struggling
with it and finding the classroom environment
what you need to know
really tough. But I was coming back to the TRAINING get involved
classroom from weekends where I’d been TA officers train in their spare time. Research Maintaining a regular dialogue with your
crawling through mud and doing live firing by Leeds Business School shows that the employees in the TA will help you get the best
exercises. I’d got rid of all my stress and felt training received by the average TA member out of them. Your Territorial employees may be
pretty much ready for anything. would cost an employer £9000 a year. able to invite you to social occasions and other
events that give you the opportunity to take a
IT HELPS YOUR WORK/LIFE BALANCE QUALIFICATIONS first-hand look at what life is like as a Territorial.
“There’s a very good social side to the TA, from Training and development provided by the
barbecues to formal events such as regimental Territorial Army can count towards a range what the TA offers you
balls. It helps remind you that you’re part of of civilian qualifications. These may Military training and experience focus on
a community, and you can bring your partner complement your own existing employee developing skills that are as important in
or your friends along as well so you don’t feel development programmes. All officers who the workplace as they are on exercises or
like you’re being asked to choose between complete their training gain the Level 5 operations. These include teamwork and team
the two. In fact, both parts of my life seem to Certificate in Management and Leadership leadership, self-confidence and adaptability.
complement each other really well. from the Chartered Management Institute. There are some qualities that are less easy to
quantify, such as loyalty, integrity and reliability,
YOU CAN DO A LOT OF NETWORKING MOBILISATION that underpin everything the Army does.
“There’s a real social mix in the TA. You get The process of calling TA members into full-
people who are lawyers, shop workers and time service to support military operations is where to find out more
students in civilian life, which means there are known as mobilisation. Everyone in the TA is Supporting Britain’s Reservists & Employers
plenty of different perspectives. There’s even committed to the possibility of mobilisation if (SaBRE) is a national campaign set up by the
a sergeant in my platoon who is a teacher and required, under the Reserve Forces Act 1996. MoD to enhance the relationship between
works as a department head at another school.” Employers have the right to seek exemption or Territorials and their employers. SaBRE advises
deferral if necessary. The MoD recognises the all Territorials to be open and honest with their
impact that the mobilisation of a TA member employers about Army commitments, in order
training that makes a difference can have on a civilian employer and provides a to help your business plan ahead. It offers
range of advice and support services, including you impartial advice, support and information
keith cahill financial assistance (see below). on everything from training obligations to
Manager / troop commander employers’ legal rights and responsibilities.
EMPLOYER NOTIFICATION SaBRE can put you in touch with contacts at
I’m a team leader with HM Revenue and All TA recruits who joined after 1 April 2004 a regional level who will be able to help you
Customs. The officer training I’ve done is are obligated to give the MoD permission with specific queries, and can arrange for you
useful in my civilian job, especially with to contact their employer directly. Employer to visit TA units at home and overseas.
things like admin and communicating ideas Notification is designed to encourage honesty
to other members of the team. between a TA member and their employer, To find out more about SaBRE and how they
Learning how to apply your leadership The employer’s verdict competitiveness. If he’s teaching two different minimising possible problems if they should help you make the most of your Territorials,
skills in practical situations makes you feel Maggie bolton headteacher groups he’ll get them competing against seek leave for training or in the rare event of visit sabre.mod.uk or call 0800 389 5459.
more confident. It’s a steep learning curve each other, and that’s a very effective way of compulsory mobilisation.
but it’s very rewarding. Maggie Bolton, the headteacher of the school motivating students. It motivates him, too.
The better you get, the more doors open where Mani teaches, thinks Mani’s experiences “Mani is also very good at setting goals, and financial support
up for you. Last weekend I went to an event in the TA help him perform better at work. I think his Army background has a lot to do with An employer can claim financial assistance to
where I met officers from other countries, that. He has a clear routine for his own form and cover the cost of replacing an employee who
and next year I’ll be representing British “Mani did a placement here and we could see he sets standards for them to meet, which makes has deployed on operations. Fees for using
officers at a conference in Norway. was a very good teacher. We recognised Mani’s them very confident in him. a recruitment agency or advertising for a
I’m still the same person I was when I leadership skills and when the position of Head “I wouldn’t employ someone solely because replacement can also be claimed. Employers
joined, but I’m much more ready to push of Business Studies came up, we appointed him. they were in the TA – you can’t stereotype people do not have to continue paying an employee
myself forward and take on leadership roles. “As well as being a good leader, he’s a great like that. But it gives Mani real presence and while they are away.
team player and understands the value of healthy confidence, and those are important qualities.” ▪

14 For more information go to sabre.mod.uk 15

 challenge
As an officer there’s always a new way to test yourself, from serving on operations
overseas to applying military skills in your civilian career
18 Serving as an officer on operations
21 Applying your military skills to your civilian job
21 Territorial pay and benefits
 challenge

Mike Cumming completed

his officer training in 2004.
He commissioned into the
Parachute Regiment as he
wanted the opportunity to
command combat soldiers on
operations. “They’re well known
for getting in the thick of the
action,” he says, “so I knew my
first operational deployment
could be just around the corner.”
Mike got notice that he was
going to deploy to Iraq in 2007,
and started his preparatory
training shortly afterwards.

“You spend two-and-a-half months training

in the UK, and that prepares you physically as
well as mentally for everything you’re going to
face while you’re away. It’s all about getting you
in the right frame of mind.

arriving on operations
“I was a bit scared on my way over to Iraq – you
really just get the fear of the unknown. But while
your training back home goes a long way to »

my challenge

“i wanted to
serve on
operations”
mike cumming
Business owner / platoon commander
18 19

» equipping you for what you’ll face on operations,
you learn far more spending just one day in
theatre. Before you go out on the ground you
spend two weeks with the Operational Training
Advisory Group (OPTAG). This training is based
on situations that are taking place there, so it’s
more realistic and puts everything you’ve learned
into context. You see how things work and what
you need to be looking out for, so you feel much
more ready for the challenges ahead.
acclimatising to iraq
“Getting used to mortar attacks every night was
the first thing we had to deal with, but as the
tour goes on you get used to the stress levels
and no situation fazes you. We’re a tight unit
anyway but out on operations everyone helps
themselves and each other. It’s the camaraderie
that really gets you through.
20
getting out on the ground
“It was doing foot patrols through villages and
vehicle checkpoints that I enjoyed most. We’d
get to meet the local people all day, every day,
and that was the best bit. I didn’t really know
what to expect at first, but units who had been
working there before us had spent time building
up relationships, so every village welcomed us.
We were their security. They were always happy
to see us. The more time you spent with them,
the more they’d be willing to talk to you so you’d
start to learn what life is really like there.
“We did really well in Iraq and I honestly
believe that it was because of the variety of skills
“If I didn’t have my business 
to run I’d be back out there”
that you find in TA units. Our unit had doctors,
barristers and engineers working as soldiers
every day. What they all brought to the melting
pot was amazing; we were in the position to
deal with any situation. By the end of our tour,
OPTAG wanted to shadow our unit to learn
more about the way we did things. That was a
real pat on the back.
“After the tour some guys were signing up to
go to Afghanistan. Officially you can’t be called
up for another two years, but you can voluntarily
mobilise yourself. If I didn’t have my own
businesses to run and have so many other
responsibilities, I’d be straight back out there.” ▪
my challenge
“To apply officer
skills to my career”
Leanne christmas
Banker / platoon commander
Leanne Christmas became a Territorial
because she wanted a different set of
challenges to the ones she experienced in
her career. She’s found that many of the
skills she’s learned are just as relevant in
the boardroom as on battlefield.
“The corporate world and military world
have very different values, but they have more
For more information go to armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits
in common than you might think. In both
cases you’re given an objective and a team
of people whose skills you need to draw on in
order to get there, so my two jobs complement
each other well.
“One of the most valuable things I can take
from military life is that I’ve become much
more self-reliant. I know that if someone gives
me a job, I can get on and do it.
“Being a Territorial officer has been very
good for my career. Job interviews are often
competence-based, so you’ll be asked to give
examples of your team-building skills or
decision making skills, and being an officer
gives me loads of ready made examples.
“I got promoted at work recently, and I’m
convinced that officer training and my Army
experiences played a key part in that.” ▪
CHALLENGE
territorial
pay and benefits
PAY
You are paid for all the time you spend
at your Territorial unit. The daily rate is
equivalent to that received by a Regular
officer of the same rank and experience and
in a comparable role. You are also paid for
each quarter day of training you do. To find
out what you could earn in you spare time
as a Territorial officer go online and visit
armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits/pay/
ANNUAL BOUNTY
Every year when you satisfy the minimum
annual training requirement (19 days in a
National TA unit and 27 days in a Regional
TA unit) and pass the relevant training tests
you receive a tax-free lump sum known as
a bounty. Find out what bounty you could
receive at armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits/pay/
EXPENSES
You’ll be paid for your travel to and from
your unit and to any other locations where
your training takes place. Meals taken while
you’re on duty, your uniform and other key
items of kit are all provided free.
OPERATIONS
If you deploy on operations and your civilian
salary is higher than your Army pay, you can
claim the difference in pay up to a certain
amount. You can also claim for the cost of
replacing certain benefits that your employer
provides while you’re away, such as health
insurance or school fees.
legal protection
If you are deployed on operations, your job
is protected under The Reserve Forces
(Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985. Under
this Act, employers are guilty of an offence
if they terminate your employment solely or
mainly because of your liability to be called
up for military service.
For more information visit SaBRE online at
sabre.mod.uk or call 0800 389 5459.
21
 fitness
With amazing rewards and a wealth of opportunities waiting for you in your
spare time, a career as a TA officer means that you get out more
24 How military training can boost your fitness
24 Expert advice to help you get ready for selection
27 Take your sport further on an Army expedition
 fitness

“fitness is a
key part of
army life”
zayne crow
NURSE / troop commander

Zayne Crow joined the TA in a bid to get fit.
Since then she’s served in Iraq and run 14
marathons, two double-marathons and ‘the
toughest foot race on earth’ – the Marathon
des Sables, 151 miles across the Sahara Desert.
“Fitness is so important in the Army as you
never know what job or challenge you’ll face
next. You need to make sure your fitness is
good. That way you’re ready for anything.
“Goals are really helpful. I’ve been running
long distances for 20 years and I still need to
set myself goals. If I don’t, I get lazy and fall off
the pace. They help to keep exercise interesting
and enjoyable. A target could be as simple as
completing a 5km fun-run, but it will really help.
Once you’ve done that run you can tick the box
and move on to the next challenge, which could
be a 10km fun-run. That’s how I trained for the
ultra-marathon, the Marathon des Sables.
“I used to say to myself, ‘Right, the Marathon
des Sables is in a year, so I must maintain my
fitness.’ My targets were always marathons and
I ran eight in the six months before the big race. »

get in shape now – 40-60 minutes, four times a week

preparation » stamina
WARM UP and
cool down
It’s important to warm up
before any exercise to loosen
the muscles and get your
joints moving. You must
Running
Running should be a key
part of your exercise
programme when preparing
for Army training. Plan a
running route, ideally on
» upper body and trunk
Swimming
Swim as many lengths as you
can without stopping in half
an hour. Alternatively,
go for a 40-minute
swim once a week,
Sit-ups
n  ecure feet under fixed
S n  ith bent knees and
object (or get a friend
to hold them)
n Keep knees bent at
90 degrees
» lower limbs
TricepS dips Press-ups Pull-ups/ Squats Step-ups Alternate
W n  eep hands shoulder-width
K heaves n F rom a standing position n  tep up from the floor onto
S squat thrusts
straight arms, rest hands apart and body straight (Only if you have lower body by bending a low chair or bench n  lace hands flat on floor
P
on a sturdy chair or bench n Bend elbows and lower access to a beam knees slowly until they n Stand up straight with both with legs straight out
behind you body until chest is about that can hold reach a 90-degree angle feet on chair or bench behind you
n Lower body until arms are an inch off the floor your weight): n Straighten back up to n Step back down n Bend one leg up beneath

also cool down afterwards flat grass or a mixture of trying to increase the n From a lying position raise bent at 90 degrees n Push back up to the n Hang from the standing position to the floor the body, then shoot it
to help get rid of the waste surfaces (road running number of lengths your body to 45 degrees n Push up to return to start position beam with arms n Knees should
Good for backwards while the other
products in your muscles. puts a strain on ankles, each time. n Lower back down slowly the start position Good for fully extended not push forward Strengthening leg comes up
To warm up jog gently knees and hips). and in control n Pull up until chin over the front n Alternate legs in a quick,
Good for Good for Upper arm and chest the thighs and
for about five minutes, do Good for Exercising all major Good for Building strength strength clears top of beam of your toes getting the thrusting movement
some stretching and then n Return to start
Endurance and stamina; muscles, heart Strengthening the trunk in the upper arms Good for heart pumping Good for
repeat your jog. To cool exercising the heart and lungs position under Building strength Leg muscles,
down after your session, do and lungs control in the thighs heart and
the same thing – a mixture Good for lungs
of light jogging and some Biceps and upper
stretching exercises. body strength

24 For more information go to armyfit.mod.uk 25

 fitness

» It paid off because I completed the Marathon

des Sables and finished in 155th place out of
879 athletes. It took me 29 hours and I was
the 11th female to finish.
adventurous training in the TA
keeping fit with the army carl pates
“Life as a TA officer is very active and you soon Student / platoon commander
find yourself feeling fitter. But it’s important to
maintain that fitness, which takes dedication and
focus. The Army tests your fitness every year with
Carl Pates was a
commissioned officer
or improving teamwork in
a different environment. “Through
the Personal Fitness Test and the Annual Fitness
Test to help you keep in shape.
before he started a
Masters degree in civil
The objectives influence
whether or not you get the the Army
“You enjoy the TA more if you’re fit. If your
fitness levels aren’t good you feel anxious about
engineering, so the UOTC
was the obvious choice
funding to go so you have
to set them wisely. I qualified
the tests, and exercises can be tough. But if you’re
on top of your game they’re really something to
for him. Now he’s the
Regimental Adventurous
Where have you planned
trips to so far? as a ski
enjoy and look forward to, and you know you’re
doing your job to the best of your ability.
“If you’re trying to get fit enough to join the
Training Officer.

What is your role at

Army, there’s no need to force yourself to do the UOTC?
things you hate. Start with just a couple of jogs I work closely with the
per week, get on the bicycle, have a swim or go Commanding Officer. I
look after everything to do
I’ve planned and led trips
around the UK and to
Bavaria in Germany.
INStructor”
Why do you do adventurous
training in the TA?
It encourages physical and
moral courage, improves

“keeping fit is with planning adventurous

training trips. I then lead
leadership qualities and
team working – it’s a good

easier because the officer cadets once

we’re out there.
way to bring out the
qualities in your soldiers

you’re around How do you go about

planning an expedition?
that you need on operations.
What have you got out of

active and You have to think

about everything from
your current role?
Through the Army I have

driven people” accommodation and food,

rock climbing if that’s what you like to do. Use
the rower, cross trainer and treadmill at the gym
­– don’t do the same road run over and over
again because you’ll get bored and demotivated.
“One thing I’ve found is that once you join
the Territorials, keeping your fitness up is made
much easier because you’re always surrounded
by very active and driven people.
“The Army helped me to get really excited by
physical challenges. I’m off to America with my
TA unit to do high-altitude mountain trekking
next week. We’ll be getting paid to climb Mount
Whitney – it’s 14,500 ft high and I can’t wait. I
would usually want to speed off into the distance
and do it at my own pace but I know there’s
nothing like doing it as a team – it makes it
even more rewarding when you’ve finished.” n
How fit do
i need to be?
You need to meet basic fitness requirements
to pass the Army Officer Selection Board (see
page 31). There are also further fitness tests
which you need to pass to qualify for your
annual bounty and to progress in your career.
The basic requirements
n 4 4 press-ups in two minutes for men and
21 press-ups in two minutes for women
n 50 sit-ups in two minutes for both men
and women
n A 10.2-level bleep test for men and an
8.1-level bleep test for women
to finances and finding
qualified instructors. You
qualified as a ski and
mountaineering instructor.
I’ve dived in the Red Sea,
n Youmust also complete an obstacle course set objectives such as walked Europe and rock
to the best of your ability reaching certain peaks climbed in Costa Blanca.
Annual Fitness Test
Your fitness is tested each year, and you will
be expected to complete a six-mile march in
under one-and-a-half hours. To be eligible
for operational tours you must do an eight-
mile march carrying full kit in two hours.
Personal Fitness Assessment
You must run 2.4km (1.5 miles) and do
a set number of press-ups and sit-ups to
pass the PFA and to qualify for your tax-
free annual bounty. The pass levels vary
according to age and gender.

26 For more information go to army.mod.uk/events/training 27

opportunity
From soldiering to the principles of leadership, officer training equips you
with the skills you need and gives you the chance to develop new ones
30 Selection and training 32 Officer training at Sandhurst
34 Your route to becoming an Army officer 36 Where to use your skills
37 Five years on... 38 Taking the next steps

selection
4
and training
From the initial interview to the final training module,
learning to be an officer will put all your skills to the test
The aim of the selection process is to check
that you’ve got the potential to become an
officer, and that you’re ready to learn all the
necessary skills at officer training. If you’re
already in the Territorial Army and have applied
or been selected for officer training, you can
go straight to step four. Direct entrants start
by having an interview.
30
1
Interview
having a chat
This can be set up by the unit you hope to
join or by the staff of your local Army Careers
Information Office. You will be able to discuss
the options available to you, and if an officer role
is right for you, you’ll get help to select a unit to
sponsor you through the training process.
After your interview you will be contacted by
your sponsor unit. They will organise a medical
check and book you on the Recruit Selection
Weekend where you complete the next stage
of the officer selection process.
2
Recruit Selection Weekend
test your skills
As an officer, you will be expected to
master the same military skills as the soldiers
you command. The Recruit Selection Weekend
tests your ability to learn those skills. You’ll do
some basic skills and fitness tests, as well as a
medical assessment. If you pass you formally
join the Territorial Army, a process called
‘attestation’. From this point onwards you’ll
be paid for each training session you attend.
3
Module 1
recruit training
This takes place over several weekends
or a two-week course. Module 1 teaches
the same skills that are covered in soldiers’
basic training including weapons handling,
communications and foot drill as well as how
to live in the field.
Module 2
leadership Skills
Delivered over 10 weekends at a Regional
Training Centre (RTC), Module 2 helps apply your
leadership skills in a military context through a
range of practical and theoretical exercises. As an
officer cadet you will now wear the cap badge and
beret of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
5
Module 3
Tactical Skills
You apply the skills you learned in Module
2 in the intensive environment of a nine-day
battle camp. The camp allows instructors to
assess your performance and gives you the final
opportunity to practise all the skills that will be
put to the test when you move on to Module 4.
»
turn to page 32 for module 4
Royal military academy sandhurst
For more information go to army.mod.uk/aosb
the officer selection process
“the selection process
is very intense but
massively rewarding”
After passing your interview
you will be contacted by a
Regional Training Centre
(RTC). The RTC will arrange
for you to do Modules 2 and
3 and to meet with the Army
Officer Selection Board
(AOSB). The AOSB Briefing
and AOSB Main Board take
place while you are training.
You must pass both before
progressing to Module 4.
AOSB Briefing
All officer selection is the
responsibility of the AOSB.
Before you complete the Main
Board, you attend the AOSB
Briefing to prepare you. This
lasts for one-and-a-half days
and includes a series of
mental aptitude tests, an
informal discussion, leaderless
tasks, command tasks, a
planning exercise, a fitness
test and an obstacle course.
You’ll also be briefed on what
to expect at the Main Board.
AOSB Main Board
This runs for three-and-a-
half days. You take written
tests, give a presentation and
take part in some outdoor
exercises similar to the ones
at the AOSB Briefing. All the
tests are assessed and staff
will be looking to see how well
you work as part of a team,
evidence of your leadership
ability and how you react
under pressure. There is no
single test by which you pass
or fail. If you succeed here,
you’ll continue training at
the RTC and will be eligible
to go on to Module 4 – the
TA Commissioning Course.
opportunity
university
officer
training corps
The University Officer Training Corps (UOTC)
gives university students the chance to develop
their leadership skills through military activities.
You’ll be paid for all the training you do, but
you won’t be asked to go on operations and you
can leave the unit whenever you want. Students
are chosen based on their mental aptitude and
physical fitness at a selection weekend.
Year one
As an officer cadet you’ll learn basic military skills
and you will complete part one of the management
and leadership development programme. You
train at weekends and in the evenings, so it’s easy
to fit around your studies. You’ll test your skills at
the annual camp and you may decide to take part
in a Summer Leader and fast track to a commission.
Year two
Your leadership training will culminate in a series
of tests, including a mock attack. You’ll also do
part two of the Management and Leadership
Development Programme. You might then go on
to get a commission.
Year three
You’ll have the chance to join the UOTC’s
training team, or take on responsibility for leading
groups of other officer cadets. In Scotland you
can serve a fourth year with your UOTC.
31
 opportunity

6
Module 4 what happens
royal military
academy sandhurst after sandhurst?

“you have
The commissioning parade at Sandhurst
recognises all your hard work, but it doesn’t
mark the end of your training. Officers keep
learning throughout their careers and the

these skills
next stage starts at your unit.

your first job

As a newly qualified Second Lieutenant,
you’re ready for your first command

for life”
appointment with your unit. Depending on
its role, you can expect to take charge of up
to 30 soldiers. You’ll be responsible for their
career development, their welfare and their
effectiveness in completing whatever task

nicola hemsworth Strategic buyer / Platoon commander

Nicola Hemsworth’s Territorial unit sponsored “For most of week one you go back over
her to train as an officer at her UOTC. She the basics, such as weapons handling and how
completed the Territorial Army commissioning to deliver orders to your soldiers. You also
course at Sandhurst in 2009 after graduating, complete a basic fitness test to make sure that
as it gave her the chance to continue her you’re ready for the physical challenges.
military training and combine it with her new “In the second week you start putting into
job as a buyer for Nestlé. practice the skills that you’ve learned in the
previous months. Communication skills are
“By the time you get to Sandhurst, you’ve particularly important when you’re issuing
already completed three modules of officer orders. As you come under more pressure and
training, so you’re very well prepared. The aim you realise that you can cope with what’s being
isn’t to teach you loads of new skills but to apply asked of you, it boosts your confidence. they’re assigned. It can be a steep learning
what you’ve already learned in a practical context. “At the end of the second week you do a
the territorial commissioning course – module 4 curve but the organisational skills that you
“Sandhurst is almost a mystical place. Before
you go, you hear all sorts of urban legends about
seven-day exercise. Sometimes it feels as though
you’re permanently running everywhere or
week 1 key military skills » week 2 leadership training » week 3 commissioning » learned at Sandhurst will help you, and there
will be experienced senior soldiers as well
what the course involves. And although it’s crawling through the mud and the cooked You revisit some of also be a series of Your performance is The field exercise comes ceremony is the as other officers on hand to give you advice.
very, very intense, once you get there you realise breakfast we had on our final morning is the key military skills briefings and lectures continually assessed to an end. For the staff culmination of all your
that it’s not so bad after all. The standard of probably one of the best things I’ve ever seen. training from previous to cover some of the through weeks two of Sandhurst it’s hard work, and marks post-commissioning training
instruction there is just amazing. “The ultimate reward is the parade on the last modules. There are theoretical aspects and three. There will decision time as they the point at which you You will be expected to serve for three years
day when you get your commission. It sounds a number of individual of life as an officer, be a combat fitness choose which of the go from officer cadet with your unit before your are eligible to
tests that you will need including the law of test and the chance to intake will go on to to Second Lieutenant.
like a cliché, but when we marched up the steps deploy on operations. You also need to
to pass, including armed conflict. practise foot drill, as get a commission.
of the Old College at the end of the parade it weapons handling well as an assessment If you’ve made the complete some further training to give you
made me think about just what I’d achieved. and fitness tests. of your ability to concludes in week grade there will be the skills you will need. Most of these courses
“Getting the chance to do officer training and A two-day exercise compile and issue a three, where you’ll a short navigation take place at a Regional Training Centre and
to go to Sandhurst is an awesome opportunity gives you an early set of orders – a vital have to use your exercise and plenty include sessions on managing soldiers, how
in itself, but it’s also a chance to boost your opportunity to test part of your future role. leadership skills under of foot drill to get to plan training and the mobilisation process
confidence and develop skills that you can carry your core military The second half of the the same demanding you ready for the as well as CBRN (operating in an environment
with you into your civilian life. Leadership is one skills under field week is taken up with conditions that you’d parade at the end where chemical, biological, radiological and
of the most important, but presentation and conditions. There will a six-day exercise which face on operations. of the week. This nuclear substances may be present).
planning skills are just as useful in my day job.” n

32 For more information go to www.sandhurst.mod.uk 33


your route
to a commission
DIRECT ENTRY
You might have no previous military
experience, but are interested in
joining the TA as an officer. You need
to attend an interview to decide if you
are Army officer material before you
start the officer training process.
UNIT POTENTIAL OFFICER
You’re already a soldier in a Territorial unit and have been
selected or have applied for officer training. As you’ve already
completed a Recruit Selection Weekend and the Basic Recruit
Training Module, you start at Module 2. Some units will only
accept officer candidates who have served as soldiers first.
TA sponsored
officer
You go to university having
been accepted by your chosen
Territorial unit as a potential officer,
but train with your UOTC.
uotc officer
cadet
You join the UOTC at university
as an officer cadet. You should
have at least two years left of
your course when you apply.
34
Module 1
Core Skills
You learn the basic soldiering
skills which underpin the rest
of your training. The module is
taught over several weekends or
a two-week course at a Regional
Training Centre (RTC).
mldP 1
CORE SKILLS
This takes place over a series of
weekends and evenings in your
first year with the UOTC. The
module equips you with the
same skills you’d need as an
infantry soldier including
weapons handling and how to
live in the open, or ‘fieldcraft’.
Everything you learn has a
military application, but some
of the skills such as first aid and
communication have a wider
value. You’ll also do some work
to raise your level of fitness.
There are four ways to become
a Territorial officer, each with a
training programme that fits
around your civilian life
module 2
leadership skills
The principles of leadership and
management are taught over 10
weekends at an RTC. You learn
how to apply them in the field,
and master other key skills such
as navigation and the process of
composing and issuing orders
to your soldiers.
mldP 2
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Once you’ve mastered the basics
of soldiering, you spend the
second year learning how to
demonstrate leadership in a
military context. Just like the
previous module the training
is delivered at the weekends
and in the evenings. You’ll be
assessed on your signals and
map-reading skills, but the key
part is a tactical exercise where
you’ll master the process by
which orders are issued and
apply it to a simple tactical
problem. The assessments will
all be carried out by serving
soldiers and officers.
Module 3
tactical skills
You apply the theory learned in
Module 2 to a series of practical
exercises held during a nine-day
battle camp. These include
patrols, ambushes and other
activities where you will be
expected to demonstrate your
ability to lead larger groups of
soldiers and your understanding
of basic infantry tactics. Your
performance during the camp
will be assessed by the exercise
staff and you will need to pass
in order to progress. You must
also make sure that you’ve
completed the AOSB Briefing
and AOSB Main Board.
module 3
tactical skills
You can now take a leadership
role within the UOTC. You
can also take a third module,
preparing you to command
larger groups and to gain a
commission from Sandhurst.
UOTC members are under no
obligation to attend Sandhurst.
MODULE 4
royal military
academy
sandhurst (RMAS)
The Territorial Commissioning
Course takes place at the Royal
Military Academy Sandhurst and
represents the highlight of your
officer training. You can opt to
complete the Course as a single
block of three weeks, or you can
just do the first week and return
to complete the other two at a
later date. You must have passed
the Army Officer Selection Board
before you can start the Course
at Sandhurst (see page 31) and
must start no later than six months
after completing Module 3.
You’re not assessed during the
first week as you’ll be revising
the skills that you learned during
the previous modules. There are
some fitness tests you need to
pass, so you’ll have to make sure
that you achieve a good standard
of fitness before you start.
If you pass the assessments
and perform well in the final field
exercise, you will commission
into your chosen unit. The
commissioning parade marks
a change in status from officer
cadet to Second Lieutenant.
opportunity
next steps
post-commissioning
served as a regular?
training
Sandhurst isn’t the end of the officer
journey. After gaining your commission
you return to your unit to take up your
first appointment and complete Post-
Commissioning Training.
your first appointment
After gaining your commission you
return to your unit to take up your first
command appointment. You will be
responsible for the training, welfare and
operational effectiveness of 30 soldiers.
further training
While taking command of your first unit,
you complete the final stages of your
officer training. The objective is to give
you some of the skills necessary for the
day-to-day running of a platoon or troop,
and to give you some of the specialist
skills that you would need to lead soldiers
on operations. This includes how to
organise training and what is involved
in mobilisation – the process by which THE REJOINING PROCESS
soldiers are called up to serve on If you served as a Regular officer and left within
operations. You will spend three years the past six years, becoming a Territorial is no more
with your unit before you are eligible complicated than completing a few forms. Your local
to be deployed overseas. Army Careers Information Office or Territorial unit
will tell you more. Former Regular soldiers who want
to apply for a commission should rejoin as soldiers
and follow the Unit Potential Officer route.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
After you have rejoined, you will be subject to the
same annual tests as the other members of your
unit. It’s particularly important to make sure that you
keep up with your fitness activities. Whether you are
rejoining as a soldier or as an officer, you will be able
to keep the rank and seniority that you held during
your time as a Regular.
HOW YOU BENEFIT
Rejoining as a Territorial officer will give you the
opportunity to apply all your leadership and military
skills in the appropriate context. You will also enjoy
some of the key rewards of military life, including
the strong sense of camaraderie and an active
lifestyle, all combined with your civilian career.
35

What else do
i need to know?
From how much you get paid to serving on operations, find answers
to your questions about what life as a Territorial officer involves
How long will
training take?
It depends on you. Most training
takes place at weekends and in
the evenings so that you can fit
it around your civilian life and
progress at your own pace. You
could complete the necessary
modules in a few months, but
you can normally expect to spend
a year to 18 months getting your
which type of unit will i join?
36
commission and completing
further officer training.
if it can’t meet its requirements
or there’s a need for particular
skills, some people may be subject
Will I be called up? to compulsory mobilisation.
The Army is deployed in many Officers or officer cadets serving
different areas of the world with a UOTC cannot be called up.
including Afghanistan. The units You or your employer can appeal
of the Territorial Army have a if your mobilisation would conflict
key part to play, so there’s a with your parental or primary
chance that you’ll be asked to care responsibilities, disrupt your
serve overseas. The Army will education or training, or seriously
always ask for volunteers first, but affect the business.
There are two types of Territorial unit. The unit
you join will depend on your skills, the skills you
want to learn and the time you have to give.
regional units
Regional units recruit and train locally. No previous
experience is necessary as all the skills relevant to
your role will be taught by the unit. Their minimum
annual training commitment is 27 days.
National units
National TA units recruit from across the UK. Some
National units have highly specialised roles and take
on people with relevant expertise. Unlike Regional
units, members may have long distances to travel
to get to their unit. For this reason their training
commitment is shorter, at 19 days, and training only
takes place at weekends. All travel costs are paid for.
How much
will i get paid?
You’re paid for each quarter day
of training you attend. The rate is
based on the salary received by a
Regular officer of the same rank
doing a comparable job, and will
increase as you move through the
ranks. When you fulfil the annual
training commitment you also
qualify for a tax-free annual
bounty. In addition, all relevant
expenses are paid, including travel
to and from training and your
kit. If you join a National TA
unit you can claim up to a full
day’s pay for travelling to and from
your training sessions. You can
find more information on rates
of pay and potential bounties at
armyjobs.mod.uk/benefits/pay
What if i have
a professional
qualification?
There is an extensive range of
opportunities available to qualified
healthcare professionals. The TA
needs: n Doctors n Dentists
n Radiographers n Pharmacists
n Biomedical scientists n Nurses
n Veterinary surgeons
For more information about the
Army Medical Services phone
0800 7311201. All calls are free.
What are the
eligibility criteria?
To join as an officer, you must
be over 18 and under 35, and a
citizen of the UK, Ireland or a
Commonwealth country. You
should also have 35 ALIS points
in your best seven subjects at
GCSE and 180 UCAS tariff points
at AS and A Level, but this does
not apply if you’re already serving
as a Territorial soldier.
Will i have any
free time left if
i join the TA?
You don’t have to make a choice
between your civilian life and your
military responsibilities. Once you
get your commission, there is a
minimum training commitment
of 19 or 27 days a year, depending
on the type of unit you join,
including a two-week annual
camp. Most soldiers and officers
find that it’s easy to satisfy this
commitment and often choose to
complete extra training to develop
their skills further. However, you
will need to put in some extra time
to complete your officer training.
If you go on operations you will be
called up to serve full time and will
be overseas for up to six months.
You will normally be able to take
leave at some point during this
period and get a period of paid
leave after completing your tour.
Can I leave if it’s
not for me?
When you join the Territorial
Army you nominally agree to serve
for a period of twelve years, but
you can leave at any time provided
you haven’t already been asked to
deploy on operations.
do i have to tell
my employer?
Anyone who joins the TA gives the
Ministry of Defence permission to
contact their employer on their
behalf. If you’re already a member
of the TA and re-engaged before
April 2004, you’re strongly advised
to speak to your employer and give
the Ministry of Defence permission
to contact them. It’s best to keep
your employer informed of your
Territorial commitments.
how to find the right role
Units in the British Army are grouped into
seven categories based on the skills required to
do the jobs involved, and the role that each of
them plays on the battlefield
Combat roles require officers to
lead their soldiers from the front,
often in close proximity to the
enemy. Whatever the task, being
able to think quickly and act decisively
are vital skills.
Officers in engineering units have the
job of finding solutions to practical
problems on the battlefield. Here
their technical skills are as much at
a premium as their leadership skills.
ANdrew Gilruth
Business owner /
squadron commander
opportunity
Providing expert administrative
support to every single unit around
the world is a demanding role.
Officers also serve as police officers,
lawyers, educators and chaplains.
The Army relies on its supply chain to Officers in the Army Medical Services
keep its soldiers equipped and able to provide a wide range of healthcare
carry out their tasks. Officers manage
that process, ensuring that support is
services to military personnel and
to working animals. They keep
available wherever it’s needed. up to date by training alongside
civilian counterparts.
Gathering and distributing information Military music and ceremonial events
quickly and securely gives an important give the Army an important link with
advantage on the battlefield. You’ll lead its past and keep traditions alive.
the skilled, specialist soldiers who keep
the information flowing.
Officers serving in ceremonial roles
also deploy on operations.
five years on...
Why did you become a me get outside more. Now
TA officer? I have more responsibility
I joined as a soldier, and it’s a chance to focus on
when one of the officers something different. The
suggested I try for a fact that it evolves with
commission I decided to you is very appealing.
give it a go. I liked the idea What are the benefits ?
of the extra challenge. No matter how important
I went to Sandhurst and
became a troop leader five
you are in your civilian
career, being an officer
years ago, and now I hold brings you back down to
the rank of Major. earth. You deal with a very
How has your relationship different set of issues, and
with the TA changed? soldiers aren’t afraid to tell
The TA means different you when you’ve gone
things to me at different wrong. It also helps you
stages of my life. As a develop confidence to take
student it was a way to on complex problems,
earn some money, when I simplify them and come
had an office job it helped up with a solution.
37
OPPORTUNITY
choose your route to
a territorial commission
Do you think you’re ready to become a Territorial officer? Whether you’d like to get the ball
rolling or you’d just like a little more information, these are the next steps you need to take
Joining the Territorial Army as an
officer is a great way to give your
life an extra dimension.
There are four main routes to a
commission, depending on what
stage you’re at and how much
experience you have. Take a look
at the statements below and see
which of them applies to you.
Remember that if you have any
questions you can find out more by
calling us on 08457 300 111 or by
taking a look at armyjobs.mod.uk
online. For general queries there is
I’m going to
university
You can join the University
Officer Training Corps (UOTC)
when you get to university, or
become a TA Sponsored Officer
(TASO). Talk to the UOTC at
your Freshers’ Fair, or find their
contact details at army.mod.uk/
UOTC/joining.aspx. As a TASO,
you join a TA unit but do your
officer training through a UOTC.
Alternatively you can train with
any Regional or National TA unit
while you study. UOTC officer
cadets who wish to start the
commissioning process should
talk to their Company Commander.
38
also an online careers office you
can visit at armyjobs.mod.uk/
contactus, which is open from 12
noon to 10pm from Monday to
Saturday and from 12 noon to 8pm
on Sundays. Alternatively you can
drop into your local Army Careers
Information Office or any TA unit
and you can find these online at
armyjobs.mod.uk/inyourarea.
When you think you’re ready to
become an officer in the Territorial
Army, you can go straight to the
Army online application form at
applicationform.armyjobs.mod.uk
I’m already
serving as a
TA soldier
You may already have been
identified as a Unit Potential
Officer (Unit PO) by the staff
at your TA unit, in which case
you’ll be told how to begin
your application. If not, you
can speak to your platoon or
troop commander who will
discuss the options with you
and set you on the right path.
If you’re planning to go to
University you should discuss
the possibility of becoming a
TA Sponsored Officer (TASO)
with your Permanent Staff
Administration Officer.
the territorial offer
n Get good leadership and
management training
accredited by the Chartered
Management Institute
nC  ombine the challenges and
rewards of Army life with your
existing civilian career
n Get paid at a competitive
daily rate for all the training
you complete
nL  earn skills or apply your
existing ones in a new context
I want to be
a direct entry
officer
The Direct Entry route means
you can start officer training
even if you haven’t had any
previous military experience,
provided you pass a medical
and an initial interview. For
administrative reasons you
join as a soldier, but hold the
rank of Officer Cadet during
your training. You can apply to
become a Direct Entry Officer
online at applicationform.
armyjobs.mod.uk. Shortly
after you will be contacted by
a Deputy Brigade Commander
or another regional contact.
“completing officer
n Be part of a team as diverse
as the society it serves training opens
up a world of new
nT  ake part in a wide range of
sporting activities, including
adventurous sports such as
mountaineering or diving
n Put your leadership skills to
the ultimate test by serving
opportunities”
on operations overseas
nG  ive your fitness a boost or
stay in shape with the Army’s
training programme
I served as
a Regular
As an ex-Regular Officer, your
leadership skill and military
expertise will be highly valued
by Territorial units. Depending
on when you left the Army,
rejoining can be as simple as
signing a form to transfer your
commission to a new unit, and
you won’t have to complete any
further training. Drop into a
Territorial unit or your local
Army Careers Information
Office to find out more. You
can find their addresses and
telephone numbers online at
armyjobs.mod.uk/inyourarea
 “officer training is
the best preparation
for life as a leader”

The Army divides its

roles into seven job groups,
and officers have a part to
play in all of them.

The Army welcomes people from all backgrounds. Whatever

your race, ethnic origin, gender, religion or belief, there is a role
for you in our team. No account is taken of sexual orientation,
RG/BRO/141 August 2009 social background or marital/civil partnership status; we have 100%

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