I'm a bit confused - no change there, then - but I'm really not clear what this annoucement / leak actually means.
Taken at face value, those (i) not in training (Phase I? Phase II? Phase III?), (ii) not doing pre-deployment training, (iii) not in specialist units are down to 11 MTDs each.
But it what proportion of the TA is actually is actually outside (i), (ii) or (iii)?
And it would be invidious for people to be unable to qualify for bounty through no fault of their own, so presumably there will be a magic amendment to QRs to lower the qualification period to 11 days? Or not...
In which case, standby for the inevitable administrative incoming / lawsuits - which are thoroughly deserved IMHO. I've never understood the training utility of weekly training nights beyond social unit cohesion, which, whilst important is always going to be a complicated thing to explain.
Presumably, though, all the shortfall in training will be made up in longer pre-deployment training on call up - which is presumably on a different budget, so that's all fine, then.........
Rant mode:
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But what this really demonstrates again is that there is no coherent answer to the exam question, "What are the Reserve Forces for?"
This is not limited to the TA - the RAuxAF and the RNR seem to be suffering under the same lack of direction.
Rant mode:
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S41