Reservist

**AGreeff** · 01-11-2016, 09:56

Morning gents

I'm contemplating signing up. For those that have been there, what does the process entail?
Any experiences worth sharing?

A

**shooty** · 01-11-2016, 10:13

Well you sign up. The person handling Reservists will then have a short interview with you.
Too see what type of person you are. And if you know whats involved.
You need to do 8 hours a month as a Reservist.
You then start in the Charge Office. I cant remember if its for the first 3 months or 6 months.
But during that time you will also need to write some tests.
The last test will be your shooting exercise. If they still do that.
Once you complete the tests and youve done the moths in charge office.
Your allowed to work outside.
To drive a vehicle you will need to get clearance. Thats easy as a person at the station will just drive with you and check you know how to drive.
After everything is done and your a reservist that can work inside and outside.
You go in when you want to work. BEst is as shift starts. Report to the Shift commander.
He will tell you where he needs you.
Remember you cant insist on working outside. He decides. SO it might happen that you get posted in charge office alot.
Having to take dockets. And its alot of writing. But you learn alot.
But dont panic. You do get to work outside as well.
But even outside you might have alot of times nothing happens at all.
Or you have to go to like a housebreaking that has happened. And you go take a docket.
But now and again you will have a code with an alpha on it. Where its in process and it gets exciting.

Just remember it is dangerous to work outside. So dont see it as a picnic.
But it does feel nice to help the community. Even if they dont realize your offering your time.

**Knoffel** · 01-11-2016, 10:47

8.... isn't it 16? Unless they've dropped it now.

The reservists in our area helps out a lot with the NHW operations, with cleanups in the area too. There are a few of those reservists on Gunsite, perhaps they'll give some clarification on everything.

**phant1m** · 01-11-2016, 10:51

I seen 16 in the latest ad also.

**Cockroach** · 01-11-2016, 12:18

Originally Posted by shooty

The last test will be your shooting exercise. If they still do that.

Interestingly enough our Cluster head last week said they were going to be doing background checks and firearm training/competency first because they were not going to waste time on all the other training only to find out the applicant couldn't hit a barn from inside it.

**AGreeff** · 01-11-2016, 13:59

How much firearm training? I might enjoy this... A lot.

**shooty** · 01-11-2016, 14:11

When I joined around 2002. I think there was 8 modules. Module 8 was the firearm training.
I live in Western Cape. Our training was done at Faure SAPS grounds. Thinks it was 2-3 evenings theory and the Saturday we shot a bit. But wasnt alot. I cant recall if it was 25 maybe 50 9mmP. Think we shot maybe 5 shots with shotgun. None with R5's.

This part of the training regarding firearms might have changed in the last + 10 years.

In that time we only needed to do 8 hours a month.

**Cockroach** · 01-11-2016, 14:12

Originally Posted by AGreeff

How much firearm training? I might enjoy this... A lot.

Enough to get 10 shots on an A3 paper at 10m I believe. About a week's worth for some.

**frac** · 01-11-2016, 14:50

There are two books written by a reservist if you want more info. He talks about the highs and lows of the job.

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/.../9781770220324 This is the first book it deals with his career from 1998 till 200.. somewhere when he gets diagnosed with PTSD

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/.../9781776090952 The second part where he is back on duty.

He is also a qualified advocate. I found both books to be very good and gives a glimpse into the job.
Rgds