Guidance

Armed forces reserves: a quick guide

Updated 6 October 2020

Welcome

The Reserve forces play a crucial role in national security from countering security threats, peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts abroad to supporting communities at home.

Benefits of becoming a reservist

Reserve service: a great development opportunity

The training and skills gained in the Reserves can be used to improve performance in the workplace and can enhance skills in areas such as leadership, team work, communication and decision making often in challenging situations and environments. Many of the attributes expected from individuals while they are in the Reserves can be mapped across to the Civil Service Core Competence Framework. The experience you gain as a reservist is highly relevant to your career in the Civil Service and it can help you understand your career aspirations, support your development and your successful progression.

The Civil Service recognises the skills you gain, and the vital role reservists play and have therefore put in place a range of measures to support reservists including a minimum of 15 days paid special leave per year for training as well as other support depending on the organisation you’re in. You can get more details on department specific policies from your Reserve Champion or your HR team.

Some of the benefits of joining the reserves are:

• paid for your time and a tax free bounty
• special paid leave (see per individual department human resources policy)
• pension
• training and qualifications
• sports and adventure training
• overseas travel
• armed forces railcard

Royal Naval Reserve

Some useful links to information about the Royal Naval Reserve are below:

• why the Royal Navy?
• application process
• training
• role finder

Am I eligible?

• you can apply to join the Royal Naval Reserve as a rating when you’re 16 to 42 years old, and 17 to 42 for an officer role, although the upper age limit depends on the service and your chosen specialisation. Visit the role link above to find specific age limits
• you can be aged 16 to 56 as an ex-regular rating and 20 to 56 as an ex-regular officer
• you must be British, Irish, part of the Commonwealth or hold a dual citizenship
• no qualifications are required unless you’re applying for an officer role
• you’ll need to be medically fit.

Army Reserve

Some useful links to information about the Army Reserve are below:

• why the British Army?
• application process
• training
• role finder

Am I eligible

• to join the Army Reserve, you need to be 18. You can apply to join when you are 17 years and 9 months old, so that you’re ready to join on your 18th birthday
• to join as a soldier, you must apply by the time you are 49 years and 11 months. You must start Phase 1 training by your 51st birthday, and be in Phase 2 by your 52nd birthday
• to join as an officer, you must apply by the time you are 48 years and 9 months. You must start your training by your 50th birthday
• rejoiners can still join as a soldier until their 52nd birthday, and as an officer (if they have previously commissioned) until their 57th birthday
• you must be British, Irish, part of the Commonwealth or hold a dual citizenship
• no qualifications are required unless you’re applying for an officer role
• you’ll need to be medically fit.

Royal Air Force (RAF) Reserves

Some useful links to information about the RAF Reserves are below:

• why the RAF?
• application process
• training
• role finder

Am I eligible?

• age requirements vary depending on which role you choose. The youngest age for applying is 15 years and nine months for an Airman. The oldest is 55 years for a Medical Officer
• if you’re under 18 years of age, you’ll need consent from a parent or guardian before you apply
• be aged 16 to 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
• you must be British, Irish, part of the Commonwealth or hold a dual citizenship
• you’ll need to be medically fit.

Special Forces (Reserves)

• who we are
• career information

Medical Reserve

• who we are

Reserve champions

All departments should now have a Reserve Champion in place. If you’re unable to contact the Reserve Champion in your department, please email the Reserves Employer Engagement team in MOD at people-rfc-employerengagement@mod.uk.

Employer information

For managers

As a manager, you have an important role to play in creating a positive and supportive environment for any staff members that are Reserves as well as those interested in joining the Reserves. As a manager of a reservist you should respond positively to requests for leave to undertake additional reservist activities, and offer support to employees before, during and after mobilisation, in consideration of individual circumstances. Following a period of reservist training or mobilisation, you should discuss their achievements, experiences and learning in order to identify the transferable skills acquired. You should also explore how to make best use of these in the workplace.

You may wish to encourage your employees to consider the Reserves as an opportunity to address specific development needs or skills gaps identified during regular discussions about performance as being in the Reserves can be a great way to enhance capability in a range of Civil Service competencies.

For more information or support, contact your departmental Reserves Champion or HR representative.

The training, skills and experiences gained while being in the reserves can be used to improve performance in the workplace.

Feedback

If you have any feedback or suggestions to help improve the information on this web page please email people-rfc-employerengagement@mod.gov.uk .