Farming as a Military Reservist

[kfpben]

I’ve been doing a bit of thinking recently (always dangerous) and reckon I need to come up with a Plan B in the event of a unfavourable no-deal scenario. Sheep and beef profits are pretty low as it is, take away our export market and subs and I suspect I’ll be looking at a big loss.


So... has anyone had experience of being in the TA or RN reserve whilst farming? Is it doable? I have a decent knowledge of the services as I have a number of friends currently in the Army and Royal Marines. I also did the Marines cadets from 14-18 so did exercises on a fair number of UK bases in that time. I don’t think I could join up full time as at 32 age is not on my side.

I mostly farm alone though there are reliable people around who could check stock if nearby.
I’d like to keep the farm ticking over in the hope of better days ahead. Probably ditch the sheep and calves on milk in favour of a few store cattle and a topper.

Other option could be the Police, though I have a feeling the form filling and general BS might be overwhelming.

 

[NorthEastLad]

So... has anyone had experience of being in the TA or RN reserve whilst farming?

Do you know what your local Army Reserve unit is? Dont quote me on this but alot of RN Reserve job are for ex-regular, and joining with no sailing experience may limit you choices drastically.

I've done 6 years Regular Army so far, get to visit some places you wouldn't normally see, and make some brilliant friends.

 

[gone up the hill]

I’ve been doing a bit of thinking recently (always dangerous) and reckon I need to come up with a Plan B in the event of a unfavourable no-deal scenario. Sheep and beef profits are pretty low as it is, take away our export market and subs and I suspect I’ll be looking at a big loss.


So... has anyone had experience of being in the TA or RN reserve whilst farming? Is it doable? I have a decent knowledge of the services as I have a number of friends currently in the Army and Royal Marines. I also did the Marines cadets from 14-18 so did exercises on a fair number of UK bases in that time. I don’t think I could join up full time as at 32 age is not on my side.

I mostly farm alone though there are reliable people around who could check stock if nearby.
I’d like to keep the farm ticking over in the hope of better days ahead. Probably ditch the sheep and calves on milk in favour of a few store cattle and a topper.

Other option could be the Police, though I have a feeling the form filling and general BS might be overwhelming.

What happens if you got called up for 6+ months??

Would you be happy to sell all your stock or pay someone to manage them for you??

People would be happy to help out im sure now and again but for say 30 weekends ( or whatever it is a year ) whilst you go off and earn money elsewhere may mean they soon get fed up of doing the work for no return.

 

[TripleSix]

Quite a few farmers are on call firefighters.
Worth considering?

 

[Ball acre]

I don't think it's something to do for money but because you want to. Your not too old and I'm sure there will be several units in your area looking for recruits. Some specialist units only require 20 days a year. I enjoyed my time in 6LI and they were quite flexible within reason. Go for it.

 

[kfpben]

Quite a few farmers are on call firefighters.
Worth considering?

I had a look at that but I’m beyond their maximum distance from the nearest station.

Could do with some fire training though- both my neighbours have had fires recently!

 

[kfpben]

Do you know what your local Army Reserve unit is? Dont quote me on this but alot of RN Reserve job are for ex-regular, and joining with no sailing experience may limit you choices drastically.

I've done 6 years Regular Army so far, get to visit some places you wouldn't normally see, and make some brilliant friends.

There’s a few different Army reserve units about. The closest one is infantry but I’m about 45 mins from Aldershot to the east and Salisbury Plain to the west so there are various options.

I was born with clubbed feet which were operated on when i was an Infant. Though I walk normally and they haven’t impaired me from playing sport, climbing hills etc I think I might struggle to pass the Army medical. I am told the Navy is a bit less strict on things like that?

 

[kfpben]

What happens if you got called up for 6+ months??

Would you be happy to sell all your stock or pay someone to manage them for you??

People would be happy to help out im sure now and again but for say 30 weekends ( or whatever it is a year ) whilst you go off and earn money elsewhere may mean they soon get fed up of doing the work for no return.

A fair point. I think it’s about 25 days/year training, though much of that is evening sessions locally.

I think if I was called up the stock would be sold. They’re dairy x beef stores currently reared up from bought in milk calves. Nothing overly precious that couldn’t be replaced down the line if necessary.

 

[steveR]

My lad was a Reserves Officer in the local unit for 2 years while at Uni and then in a "Gap" year before going back to Sandhurst earlier this year. (He's there again now...)

AS an ossifer, he was pretty proactive and got to get a lot of interesting stuff done, just before he went back to Sandhurst, he spent 2 months on Ex in Africa working with Regulars, and 3-4 of the troops went along too! However, he did find the endless Officer admin a PITA!!

One of his men was a farmer (mid 20s?) from mid Wales who Charlie liked a lot and was really impressed with. Not sure what his particular business was now, but he made it work for him anyway and fitted in the farm work with the Reserves weekly muster and getting away for Annual camp and training weekends. I think that hay/silage time, was a bit of a balance, but no more so than for many other folks in other jobs.

 

[steveR]

There’s a few different Army reserve units about. The closest one is infantry but I’m about 45 mins from Aldershot to the east and Salisbury Plain to the west so there are various options.

I was born with clubbed feet which were operated on when i was an Infant. Though I walk normally and they haven’t impaired me from playing sport, climbing hills etc I think I might struggle to pass the Army medical. I am told the Navy is a bit less strict on things like that?

One of the biggest issues with joining any of the Armed Forces is medical for a huge number of recruits. The recruiting is done by Capita, possibly one of the biggest load of shites ever foisted on the UK population by Govt. They have supposed to have stepped up their game and being less box ticking, button pressing as the reqruitment targets were missed by miles.

Working with Charlie, we have "shepherded" a couple or 3 young people through the medical process, based a lot on his problems!! Good medical support is vital to persuade the army medics that you are fit for service...

Best to go and have a chat with a few of the local Units, they are delighted to see new faces!! It will take a LONG time before you are actually able to go off to do your actual training, which gives you a good chance to see if the unit and the role suits you. They will also help you with your entry and suss out if the feet issue IS an issue or not.

Maybe look at a Loggies job, perfect for someone with farm machinery and driving experience?? Any other real skills you could utilise?

 

[Ball acre]

One of the biggest issues with joining any of the Armed Forces is medical for a huge number of recruits. The recruiting is done by Capita, possibly one of the biggest load of shites ever foisted on the UK population by Govt. They have supposed to have stepped up their game and being less box ticking, button pressing as the reqruitment targets were missed by miles.

Best to go and have a chat with a few of the local Units, they are delighted to see new faces!! It will take a LONG time before you are actually able to go off to do your actual training, which gives you a good chance to see if the unit and the role suits you. They will also help you with your entry and suss out if the feet issue IS an issue or not.

Maybe look at a Loggies job, perfect for someone with farm machinery and driving experience?? Any other real skills you could utilise?

Should be some loggies in Hampshire. Port & Maritime?

 

[farmerm]

Mate of mine joined the TA to earn some extra cash as a student. He hadn’t banked on getting called up to serve on the front lines in the sh!t storm that was Iraq.

 

[Ball acre]

It does happen. It's made clear enough though when you join what your obligations are.

 

[Danllan]

I've been regular and then TA and, unless things have changed very greatly, the simple fact is that even now you aren't going to have a chance of getting in with your medical record. All soldiers are trained as infanteers, even for the Corps it's fairly hard for most people, hard to see your feet standing up to tabbing twenty miles with a hundredweight+ on your back. As has been stated, your heart's got to be in it, it's crap money at anything but the most senior ranks and specialities...

Anyway, reserve liability could see you posted anywhere within the UK or globally. I had some very surprised TA lads with me at various times, they simply didn't expect to be called on, but they were.

You seem to be able to string a sentence together fairly coherently, so you are clearly too bright for the police.

 

[steveR]

Mate of mine joined the TA to earn some extra cash as a student. He hadn’t banked on getting called up to serve on the front lines in the sh!t storm that was Iraq.

Whoops! From talking to Reservists, many are delighted to get called up for a proper task! Reality is sometimes a tad different however...!

 

[farmerm]

Whoops! From talking to Reservists, many are delighted to get called up for a proper task! Reality is sometimes a tad different however...!

When the roadside bombs are a constant fear, incoming rounds are screaming past your head and you have to open up on women and children as they level weapons on your squad, not everyone is cut out for that life!

 

[steveR]

When the roadside bombs are a constant fear, incoming rounds are screaming past your head and you have to open up on women and children as they level weapons on your squad, not everyone is cut out for that life!

Cannot like that, but totally understand your comment!!