Territorial Armies

The Territorial Army (TA) is the volunteer principal reserve force of the British Army. It is composed mostly of part-time soldiers, who are paid at a similar rate as their Regular equivalents whilst engaged on military activities. This is in contrast to the Regular Army Reserve, which currently comprises people who have a mobilization obligation for six years after their former full-time service in the regular army.

The TA forms about a quarter of the overall manpower strength of the British Army. During periods of total war, the Territorial Army is incorporated by the Royal Prerogative into Regular Service under one code of Military Law for the duration of hostilities until re-activation is decided upon. After World War 2 for example, the TA was not demobilised until 1947

Modern Territorial soldiers (Territorials) are volunteers who undergo military training in their spare time, either as part of a formed local unit or as specialists in a professional field. TA members have a minimum commitment to serve 27 training days per annum, with specialists only required to serve 19 days, which normally includes a two-week annual camp.

As a volunteer military reserve raised from local civilians, the TA may be considered a militia, and several units bear the title "militia". However historically, the British official term "Militia" designated a specific force, distinct from the Volunteers and the Yeomanry.