Joining the ta. Or army, as a single parent? Anyone done, doing it?

[Claire2009]

I'm a single mum to my 2 and 4yr old, i was in the army before i had the kids, and would love to go back in, mainly the ta though. I'm wondering has anyone managed it? Or even fulltime army? The dc's dad is about and very helpful so that's not a problem, just looking for someone whose done this and can tell me about how they coped before i dive in!

my friend wanted to do this....worked out it would not be feasible

my ex had left the army when i met him,but he re-joined the mpgs...has it changed now? can you just return to old unit?

how would their dad still be around if you get postings? assuming dc will stay with him?

Don't think i'd want to return to the old unit, was in in 02,03. Would probably prefer ta as it's more part time and i'd get to see the kids more, if i decide to go for that the kids would still live with me but go to their dad at weekends as they do and whenever needed for work. It's just looking into it. Making sure i can get it to work before actually joining then thinking shit this ain't gonna work!

I work for a single mother in the army.

I think it's possible as long as you have a supportive ex or other family who could help out when required.

Fine as long as you have the support in place, not just for the weekends/training but for the potential det to Afghan and the such, and that you have really considered the impact leaving your children for that amount of time will have. If the practicalities can be sorted and you think you could handle it emotionally then go for it.

Thought they won't deploy single parents if you are the main carer?

Have you thought about working for the MOD as a civil servant; still working on army projects and in an army environment but would be far more stable.

I thought about it years ago but in the end i joined the Special constabulary in Salisbury wilts where i lived. The TA sounded good for the money but i wasnt sure about being away from my then , 8 and 10 yr olds.

Huge misconception about not deploying single parents, there is no discrimination and you will be exoected to prove that there are things in place to look after your children when you are deployed during the application/interview process.

Single parents definitely get deployed. I know several children that have gone to live with grandparents or aunts for 6 months.

i used to recruit for reserve up until 6 mos ago - you are expected to be able to deploy, whether you are single or not, these days, so you need to have a workable childcare plan for a 6 month deployment.

that said, you do have some rights of appeal in certain circumstances, but tbh i would not be looking to join up as a single parent.

wanted to add - you are aware of the 1 year in 3 deployment? so, you could be mobilised on operational service for 1 year out of every 3 on a rolling basis? depending on what you are doing, some of the reserve are actually called on more than the regulars... i was deploying people for the fifth and sixth times in many cases - some single parents were going on their second or third op tour.

this is a big shock for the ta, who have never really experienced anything but voluntary deployment before - huge culture change. it might be worth bringing yourself up to date with what being in the ta actually means at this point?

the actual ordinary training etc is obviously no biggie if you have done it before - usually 1 weekend a month and one weekday night. it's the compulsory mobilisations that are the big change - rfa 96. if you google sabre they have copies of all the relevant documentation you can read up on.

Def agree with madwoman; HUGE misconceptions out there as to what kind of commitment TA is. said with feeling