military experience

[Leaver]

Hi all, can any one tell me if companies will take on TA military for middle east work and if so what mill experience is needed...

[Walks99]

Hi Leaver,

Just out of interest have you done any tours at all?


Walks

[Leaver]

no mate just that i,ve been in CP for a few years and recently trained with ronin sa...want to get into middle east work so was thinking off joining ta to get mill experience...as things out there will still be hostile for many years to come this way i can keep my foot in with general cp work...

[neiljordan]

Leaver,

You'll be lucky to find employment without a regular forces background. Some companies operating in Iraq for instance ask for 6yrs service plus at least 2 full Op tours to hostile environments (and we aren't talking as the unit chief clerk!), others want certain courses to have been completed, the likes of which you'll only get through regular service with the right units.
The only guys I've met who have been TA and have found work are the ex TA SF guys. They have gained their experience through attachments with the regular SF units and made their contacts that way.
I do know CRG have been recruiting ex civil policemen, initially as drivers, but again only after they have completed the CRG CP and Hostile Environment Cse and these don't come cheap. They aren't the best payers, which they freely admit to and their manpower turnover is terrific since they cut wages in 2006 but, you might get lucky if you forward to them your CV. The website is:

Control Risks Training | Home

I can't see the link to their recruiting page for the Middle East, just the training page for their courses.

Neil

[Walks99]

Leaver,

As neiljordan has said most companies ask for experience however I know of a couple of guys in the TA who have made it out there on the back of a tour and quite a few years service in the TA. Most contacts were made out there and then done well at an interview. When I was thinking about going private most companies said I didn't have the right experience even though I was an operator attached to an infantry unit and saw more than some regs do in their whole careers.

The problem is with the TA it'll take a almost a year possibly longer to get to a traded standard and then only if there is space will you get mobalised. Keep in mind that if you don’t have the skills the unit is looking for you could end up doing a shite job and get nothing out of it. If you are going to join a TA unit pick your trade carefully (RSigs, Infantry and Medics) are the best way to almost guarantee something worth the effort of training. It’s damn hard to prove your worth to the regs as a TA soldier and get what you want out of it.

My advise, if you have 3 – 5 years, go regular if you want to and do some full time training and get the experience that way. If you don’t and you decide to go the UK CP route, the TA can offer a lot. I’m re-trading as a medic soon to get my medical experience up. Better to get paid for it than pay for it!

Hope it gives you something to think about

[Leaver]

cheers guys for that much taken onboard...i am a current CP and trained with top providers (ronin SA) had work in europe (cannes film festival) and uk but just wanted to get middle east experience..worked with guys in south africa from royal irish reg which thought i was ex mill as they said i was quite "switch on" but carnt explain this to companies...cheers guys

[spangles]

Hi all,

4 Para will get you out to Afgan or Iraq in about 8 months. Google '4 para' for recruiting info.

[Hawk]

Hi,
Check with Ex Mil..
However if you have army CP training Rmp I know their is opportunites otherwise not sure.
Since the private security industry even in Iraq its not Army work, its a good background to stand on, but I say it needs much more then that, since the companies today have diffrent requirements and alot of well trained personnel already in their network.

Hawk

[R2700m]

Its an employers market and with the amount of ex service leavers looking work with recent HE experience u are upagainst it. Not forgetting the guys and gals with HE experience still looking for work.

Most if not all of the larger companies require potential employees to have at least 5 yrs recent mil/police service.

I would suggest if u have employment in the UK to stay with it.



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