Joining Requirements

Nationality

The rules on your nationality are the same as joining the Regular Army.  You need to have been a citizen of the UK, Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland at all times since birth and should normally have lived in the UK for at least five years, preferably immediately prior to your application.

Age

You must be between the ages of 17 and 32 to join the TA Signals as a soldier.  The minimum age limit to be commissioned as an officer is 18 years (21 years for Nurses), although you may start training from 171/2 years.  The upper age limit on commissioning is normally 30.

Exceptions are made to the upper age limits for those with appropriate specialist skills, certain professional qualifications or previous military experience.

Academic Qualifications

There is no minimum academic requirement to join the TA Signals.  You will be assessed on your aptitude to be a soldier and for training in particular trades.

To be a TA Signals Officer you will need to exhibit qualities of wanting to pursue higher education.  You will have to pass a rigorous selection procedure to assess your ability and potential but this is based on your ability rather than any exams you have passed.

In the case of specialist roles, appropriate professional qualifications or experience are normally required.

Fitness

You don't have to be exceptionally fit to join the TA Signals, but you do have to be prepared to get fit.  You will be required to have a medical examination in order to make sure that you are medically fit for training and military service, the same as any one joining the army, prior to starting training.

During your basic training you will be given help and advice to develop your fitness but you will have to train in your own time to achieve and maintain the standard of fitness that the army requires.  A lot of the exercises you do through your training involve quite a lot of fitness, and if you do not keep your level of fitness at least to an acceptable level, you will find yourself unable to do the training.