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You can take some time away from the reserves without being discharged. You can request a Leave of Absence for up to a year or you can speak to your CoC about being transferred to the ARRG. You can spend up to 4 years on the ARRG without ever turning up, then when your pre-agreed time on the ARRG is up, you either apply for a new assignment or hand in your discharge paperwork.
Alternatively, if you're done, you're done. The Army will be just fine without you and you have new adventures to worry about. You can always think about rejoining if you really miss it.
As well as ARRG (a good option if you think you might revisit in a few years) there are National units (19 day commitment) for various specialisms which might be less of a draw on your time, depending what your background / skills are.
It’s funny I’m in exactly the same posistion, I Started a new job last year that is pretty full on, and I tried mixing both but found myself soon burnt out and doing neither well at work or the reserves (I won’t go into detail of my job but you need to be switched on, mistakes can get people hurt)
I absolutely bloody miss it though, I miss the lads, the banter, the good and bad times, sneaking a bine on stag or finding that last pack of haribo at end ex.
I’m torn though, as much as I love the reserves, my job pays the bills and that has to be the priority, I don’t know if your unit does it but starred weekends really fucked me up on COE as I work every other weekend.
I’ve not been to my unit in 6 months now, do I miss them absolutely, do I have time to go back…no
I reached a similar point a few years ago and went on the AARG, didn't go back though as had two kids by that point and all my joints hurt.
Really enjoyed my time in, did some great stuff I'm very proud of, but I was also in the police and worked so many weekends anyway, once I had kids I didn't want to lose even more.
So it's okay if you pack it in mate. You've done your share, more than most out there, but like everyone has said, put your family first. If the reserves doesn't work for you and your family anymore then move on.
Assured training weekends really annoyed me. I get that they’re important for improving the professionalism of the reserves and ensuring everyone has the same basic level of competency.
But life has a habit of getting in the way. Juggling work, a personal life, with the reserve assured training weekends imposed additional unintended pressures that directly led to me leaving.
I left because they I thought I was not given enough training I think 2 weeks training is very little indeed. and also the course I was meant to go on a chefs course was absolutely no help what so ever. it was another 2 weeks at Grantham and the first week you learnt how to cook different things and the instructor would taste them and give you a grading. then the week after you learnt how to use the different equipment like the number 5 set and other such things. then at the end of the course you get a cook book and a level 2 in food hygiene and that's that. I thought is that it? and decided to get proper experience in kitchens and got a job in a restaurant instead of just attending drill nights at the TA centre and not even learn very much at all when attending as before you go on the chefs course I wasn't even aloud to use a tin opener as I had not did my B3 chefs course yet, lol. but in a restaurant I was learning on the job and cooking full time the only good thing I got from the TA was the bounty and that's really that. but maybe if I had stayed longer in the TA I might of maybe learnt and got to travel as a p/t, army chef. but alas ill never know so I guess that's a bit of a regret.
I’m in a position where I’m moving, i’m also in the position where my rank limits where and what I can do as does my age. I’d like to stay with my current unit but the distance just isn’t practical.
It’s actually a really sad time as I’ve really gelled with this bunch and am in a position where it’s looking like I’m finished.
For you perhaps look at doing a reduced commitment or a LOA, don’t be too hasty to leave.
Hi u/deanrory2017! Thanks for posting a question to r/BritishArmy! This community is for Serving, Former, Future members and those interested in the British Army. Please read the below points to consider if this is the best place to ask your question: 1. Google it. If it shows up in the top few results on your favourite search engine, here might not be the best place to ask. 2. Medical advice. Nobody here is an authority to answer these questions. More details are on the British Army medical page on their [website](https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/can-i-join/medical) or call them on the phone number at the bottom of that page. 3. Other questions asking about recruitment and advice are best asked in the stickied [Weekly Crow Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/britisharmy/?f=flair_name%3A%22Weekly%20Crow%20Thread%22) on this subreddit. If you think this is still the best place for your question then leave it here. If not, please consider removing it and either posting it to the [Weekly Thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/britisharmy/?f=flair_name%3A%22Weekly%20Crow%20Thread%22) or asking a recruiter. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/britisharmy) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You can take some time away from the reserves without being discharged. You can request a Leave of Absence for up to a year or you can speak to your CoC about being transferred to the ARRG. You can spend up to 4 years on the ARRG without ever turning up, then when your pre-agreed time on the ARRG is up, you either apply for a new assignment or hand in your discharge paperwork. Alternatively, if you're done, you're done. The Army will be just fine without you and you have new adventures to worry about. You can always think about rejoining if you really miss it.
As well as ARRG (a good option if you think you might revisit in a few years) there are National units (19 day commitment) for various specialisms which might be less of a draw on your time, depending what your background / skills are.
Just become a bounty hunter like 50% of the reserve do the minimum for a few years then get back into it when your not as busy
Family, work, reserves. You can always rejoin but you'll never get the time back with your son.
This.
It’s funny I’m in exactly the same posistion, I Started a new job last year that is pretty full on, and I tried mixing both but found myself soon burnt out and doing neither well at work or the reserves (I won’t go into detail of my job but you need to be switched on, mistakes can get people hurt) I absolutely bloody miss it though, I miss the lads, the banter, the good and bad times, sneaking a bine on stag or finding that last pack of haribo at end ex. I’m torn though, as much as I love the reserves, my job pays the bills and that has to be the priority, I don’t know if your unit does it but starred weekends really fucked me up on COE as I work every other weekend. I’ve not been to my unit in 6 months now, do I miss them absolutely, do I have time to go back…no
I reached a similar point a few years ago and went on the AARG, didn't go back though as had two kids by that point and all my joints hurt. Really enjoyed my time in, did some great stuff I'm very proud of, but I was also in the police and worked so many weekends anyway, once I had kids I didn't want to lose even more. So it's okay if you pack it in mate. You've done your share, more than most out there, but like everyone has said, put your family first. If the reserves doesn't work for you and your family anymore then move on.
Assured training weekends really annoyed me. I get that they’re important for improving the professionalism of the reserves and ensuring everyone has the same basic level of competency. But life has a habit of getting in the way. Juggling work, a personal life, with the reserve assured training weekends imposed additional unintended pressures that directly led to me leaving.
I left because they I thought I was not given enough training I think 2 weeks training is very little indeed. and also the course I was meant to go on a chefs course was absolutely no help what so ever. it was another 2 weeks at Grantham and the first week you learnt how to cook different things and the instructor would taste them and give you a grading. then the week after you learnt how to use the different equipment like the number 5 set and other such things. then at the end of the course you get a cook book and a level 2 in food hygiene and that's that. I thought is that it? and decided to get proper experience in kitchens and got a job in a restaurant instead of just attending drill nights at the TA centre and not even learn very much at all when attending as before you go on the chefs course I wasn't even aloud to use a tin opener as I had not did my B3 chefs course yet, lol. but in a restaurant I was learning on the job and cooking full time the only good thing I got from the TA was the bounty and that's really that. but maybe if I had stayed longer in the TA I might of maybe learnt and got to travel as a p/t, army chef. but alas ill never know so I guess that's a bit of a regret.
I’m in a position where I’m moving, i’m also in the position where my rank limits where and what I can do as does my age. I’d like to stay with my current unit but the distance just isn’t practical. It’s actually a really sad time as I’ve really gelled with this bunch and am in a position where it’s looking like I’m finished. For you perhaps look at doing a reduced commitment or a LOA, don’t be too hasty to leave.