Tuesday 30 August: orders to move

In the first of our reports, Paul welsh met Captain Mick Scott-Hyde, who has twenty years experience in the TA, and has been given a month to prepare for his tour in Iraq.

Watch Paul Welsh's first report: orders to move

Mick works from home as an executive for BT, and says it's been difficult to balance his personal life with his army commitments.

Some young men and women join the TA to get a taste of military life.

Brandon Rennie is a rifleman with Roebuck Company in the TA.

He works in a supermarket, and says he's aware of the risks of being deployed to a war zone, but wanted to find out more before embarking on a full time army career.

Training alongside the Parachute Regiment

In today's report, Paul Welsh followed Roebuck Company, as their training intensified ahead of their deployment to Iraq.

One of the risks they will face on the streets of Basra, is that of suicide bombers.

The reservists trained alongside members of the Parachute Regiment as they dealt with ambushes and sieges.

Watch Paul Welsh's second report: combat training

Captain Mick Scott-Hyde will be second in command of his unit when it arrives in Iraq, so his training involves planning some of the exercises his soldiers.

Paul Welsh joined the reserves on active service in Basra in Southern Iraq.

Roebuck company will spend six months in Basra - where they'll be completely indistinguishable from regular servicemen.

For 19 year old Brandon Rennie, it's an eye-opener:

"I'm enjoying it quite a lot," he told us. "It's different - and I missed the team when we went on R and R."

Watch Paul Welsh's final report: on the front line in Basra