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The '''Territorial Army''', or TA, is the [[reserve]] component of the [[British Army]], the main land-based [[military]] force of the [[United Kingdom]]. It can be seen as equivalent to the United States [[National Guard]]. Territorial Army soldiers and officers are paid at the same rate as their Regular Army equivalents, but serve part-time (usually with a minimum commitment of 27 days per year). The annual budget of the Territorial Army is approximately £350 million – around 1.3% of the total defence budget for the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0070.html Armed Forces Website - TA Overview]</ref> As of [[2006]], the TA had a strength of approximately 34,000.

The '''Territorial Army''', or TA, is the [[reserve]] component of the [[British Army]], the main land-based [[military]] force of the [[United Kingdom]]. It can be seen as equivalent to the United States [[National Guard]]. Territorial Army soldiers and officers are paid at the same rate as their Regular Army equivalents, but serve part-time (usually with a minimum commitment of 27 days per year). The annual budget of the Territorial Army is approximately £350 million – around 1.3% of the total defence budget for the United Kingdom.<ref>[http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/l0070.html Armed Forces Website - TA Overview]</ref> As of 2006, the TA had a strength of approximately 34,000.

==History==

==History==

The TA was established in [[1908]] by the then-Defence Secretary, Viscount Haldane. It united the existing [[militia]], Yeomanry and Volunteer Force units into a single force.

The TA was established in 1908 by the then-Defence Secretary, Viscount Haldane. It united the existing [[militia]], Yeomanry and Volunteer Force units into a single force.

Following the [[First World War]], all Territorial Army units were gradually disbanded; however, the force was re-established from [[1920]] onwards. In [[1922]] two Air Defence Brigades were established to provide anti-aircraft defence for [[London]].<ref>[http://www.ukrfa.org/airdefence.doc ''The Territorial Army and Air Defence of Great Britain'', (United Kingdom Reserve Forces Association), accessed August 28, 2007]</ref> In [[1939]], with the outbreak of the [[Second World War]], the size of the TA was doubled, and many TA units were deployed overseas and served with distinction.

Following the [[First World War]], all Territorial Army units were gradually disbanded; however, the force was re-established from [[1920]] onwards. In 1922 two Air Defence Brigades were established to provide anti-aircraft defence for [[London]].<ref>[http://www.ukrfa.org/airdefence.doc ''The Territorial Army and Air Defence of Great Britain'', (United Kingdom Reserve Forces Association), accessed August 28, 2007]</ref> In [[1939]], with the outbreak of the [[Second World War]], the size of the TA was doubled, and many TA units were deployed overseas and served with distinction.

Post-war, the TA was drastically reduced in size with the ending of [[conscription]] in [[1960]]. In [[1967]] it was renamed the "Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve" and the [[regiment]]al structure was abolished, but these changes were reversed in [[1979]].

Post-war, the TA was drastically reduced in size with the ending of [[conscription]] in 1960. In 1967 it was renamed the "Territorial Army and Volunteer Reserve" and the [[regiment]]al structure was abolished, but these changes were reversed in [[1979]].

Today the TA does not generally supply complete combat divisions; instead, it supplies smaller units of up to [[battalion]] size which serve alongside Regular Army Units, in a variety of roles including [[infantry]], [[reconnaissance]], light [[artillery]], and support roles such as engineering, medical, or military police.

Today the TA does not generally supply complete combat divisions; instead, it supplies smaller units of up to [[battalion]] size which serve alongside Regular Army Units, in a variety of roles including [[infantry]], [[reconnaissance]], light [[artillery]], and support roles such as engineering, medical, or military police.

The TA did not play a major role in overseas conflicts throughout the [[Cold War]]; this was because it was not possible, legally, to compulsorily deploy individual TA personnel or units overseas, only the whole Territorial Army (which only took place during major wars). As such, their primary role was home defence during this era. However, in [[1996]], the new Reserve Forces Act allowed individual TA personnel and units to be called up for overseas service, except those in full-time [[education]] or who have exemption on certain compassionate grounds.<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/1996014.htm]</ref> As a result, 9,500 reservists were called up for the [[Iraq War|invasion of Iraq]] in [[2003]], and today some 1,200 TA personnel are deployed in the field each year to [[Iraq]], [[Afghanistan]] and other theatres.

The TA did not play a major role in overseas conflicts throughout the [[Cold War]]; this was because it was not possible, legally, to compulsorily deploy individual TA personnel or units overseas, only the whole Territorial Army (which only took place during major wars). As such, their primary role was home defence during this era. However, in 1996, the new Reserve Forces Act allowed individual TA personnel and units to be called up for overseas service, except those in full-time [[education]] or who have exemption on certain compassionate grounds.<ref>[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1996/1996014.htm]</ref> As a result, 9,500 reservists were called up for the [[Iraq War|invasion of Iraq]] in 2003, and today some 1,200 TA personnel are deployed in the field each year to [[Iraq]], [[Afghanistan]] and other theatres.

==References==

==References==