Foot soldiers will suffer in huge changes to the Territorial Army that will transform the service.

Last night, the Government announced it will reduce the TA from 56,000 to 41,000 members to modernise reserve units. Many historic county battalions will be abolished and replaced by regional ones - with the severest cuts faced by the infantry.

In Oxfordshire, the 5th Battalion Royal Green Jackets will become part of a new infantry battalion covering the county, plus Berkshire and Hampshire. The 218 Field Squadron at RAF Brize Norton will be disbanded.

Nationally, the number of infantry battalions will be cut from 33 to 15 - with many servicemen losing their jobs.

Under Government measures announced yesterday, a newly-formed radio support regiment will have its HQ at the TA centre at The Slade, Headington, Oxford. A new surgical squadron will also be based at Oxford.

Col Piers Bateman, of 4th Division covering Oxfordshire, said: "There is likely to be some who are out of a job, but we will be having a very careful selection process for those who want to come across to the other army organisations."

Col Bateman said the infantry will be "merged or down-sized" to allow for more medical and communication services.

The Royal Green Jackets look set to keep their historic cap badge. Col Bateman said: "Nobody likes change, but they are positive and make us more usable and are geared to make the TA properly funded for its training and that will be very welcome.

"It is a very big change - a quantum leap - but very encouraging for the future. It will involve very good management and leadership."

Defence Secretary George Robertson wants the force to be more up-to-date, ready to be sent anywhere in the world. He believes Britain - days after it prepared for hi-tech, high velocity warfare against Iraq - does not need mass reserves training for an infantry battle in Europe.

Mr Robertson said: "TA units in Oxford have for many years played a vital role in ensuring our security.

"The TA is currently organised to meet the Cold War threat. This makes no sense. The TA of the future must no longer be the force of last resort, but a force which can be used to support our military actions for peace and security around the world."

Critics of the cuts fear that they will leave the civil defence forces low if Britain faced a major conflict. Part-timers play vital, military role FIRST it was the French, then the Germans, then the Eastern bloc. Now the TA faces a new threat - the world's changing political face.

An early form of the TA has existed since the 1600s as a militia of part-time soldiers who readied themselves for battle in Europe, based in urban areas, including Oxford.

But it was not until 1908 that the Territorial Army became an officially recognised force - re-named and given separate funding from the regular Army.

During the First World War, the 4th Battalion Oxon and Bucks Light Infantry fought with distinction, particularly at the Somme. The infantry also played a major role in the Second World War.

At present, the 5th Battalion Royal Green Jackets has bases at The Slade, Headington, Oxford, in High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. It specialises in using heavy weaponry like mortars and anti-tank machine guns.

During the Cold War, it reinforced units in Germany and more recently supported the regular army in Bosnia. A group will shortly be despatched to Northern Ireland.

But the TA force is gradually being reduced. The Government no longer sees Europe as a military threat and wants the TA to become a more modern force, ready to be sent anywhere in the world.

Its 300-plus members in Oxfordshire come from all walks of life - from rocket science to manual labour. To join you must be aged between 17 and 34 with the lowest rank of Rifleman earning £30 a day. Training takes place one evening a week and two weekends a month.

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