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There
have been reserve land forces in Britain since medieval times. Over time,
the titles and structures of these reserve forces changed, but until World
War 2 essentially comprised four separate elements: Volunteers, Militia,
and Yeomanry provided the part-time, voluntary territorial forces; while
retired Regular Army personnel made up the Army Regular Reserve on a
compulsory basis, subject to diminishing obligations with age.
|
Army Reserve
Personnel Strength at late 2013 |
| Arm or
Corps |
Number
of Regiments or Battalions |
| Infantry |
14 |
| Armour |
4 |
| Royal Artillery |
7 |
| Royal Engineers |
5 |
| Special Air Service |
2 |
| Royal Signals |
5 |
| Equipment Support |
2 |
| Logistics |
16 |
| Intelligence Corps |
2 |
| Aviation |
1 |
| Medical |
15 (1) |
| TOTAL |
73 |
| |
|
| (1) Total
includes Medical Regiments and Field Hospitals |
TYPES
OF RESERVIST
The category to which a Reservist belongs depends on their duties and their
level of commitment to a particular Service.
STANDARD VOLUNTEER RESERVISTS
Although Volunteer Reservists train over many years for active duty, they are
only mobilised when absolutely necessary. In most circumstances, the Ministry of
Defence (MOD) uses ‘Intelligent Selection’, which is the process of identifying
willing and available individuals for specific appointments. This includes
consulting with the Reservist's employer.
All Volunteer Reservists make a serious commitment to training. For the
majority of them, this is around 30 days a year, made up of some midweek
evenings, some weekends and one15-day continuous training period.
FULL-TIME RESERVES
Full-Time Reserve Service (FTRS) gives Reservists the opportunity to apply
for a full-time post for a fixed period (this is different from mobilisation).
Because of the valuable experience this provides some employers choose to grant
sabbatical leave for such duties. However, you are under no legal obligation to
reinstate an employee who resigns to carry out FTRS commitments.
ADDITIONAL DUTIES COMMITMENT
Additional Duties Commitment (ADC) gives Reservists the opportunity to
undertake part-time work with the Armed Forces. This could be with a Regular or
Reserve Unit, but it’s more likely to be within a headquarters establishment.
ADCs sometimes form part of a job-sharing arrangement. The minimum commitment is
13 weeks - at least one day a week throughout this period.
You don’t have to give any employee additional time off to undertake ADC
work. However, like FTRS appointments, employers may choose to do so because of
the valuable experience such opportunities provide.
HIGH READINESS RESERVES
High Readiness Reservists (HRRs) have specific skills which the Armed Forces
may occasionally need but at short notice. Reservists have to volunteer for High
Readiness status, and if they have a full time job (or work more than two days a
week) they will also need to have the written consent of their employer. This
consent takes the form of an agreement that is renewed annually. If they are
mobilised, an HRR can be asked to serve for up to nine months.
SPONSORED RESERVES
The Sponsored Reserve concept enables the Ministry of Defence to enter into a
defence contract on condition that an agreed proportion of the contractor's
workforce has a Reserve liability. These Reservists can be trained and called
out to undertake the contracted task as members of the Armed Forces.
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