Your civilian job

Most people have only one career. Being in the RNR means you’ll probably have two. You need to be dedicated and enthusiastic with a will to succeed. You also need the support of your employer.

When you join, you must tell your employer or give the Ministry of Defence (MOD) permission to inform them for you. But don’t wait until the last minute. Start talking to your line manager as soon as you’ve made a decision. Point them towards the SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists & Employers) website  which will tell them everything they need to know about employing a Reservist.

The commitments

Most of your training is done outside normal work hours. But you will need to absent from work for two weeks of annual training each year. Many employers are happy to give Reservists extra time off, but there is no obligation to do so.

As soon as you’re fully-trained, you can be mobilised to serve anywhere in the world. Deployment will usually last for six months. But it will take at least two years to get you trained. And the Service aims to give plenty of notice to both you and your employer. When you are deployed, your employer may be entitled to some financial assistance –  click here to find out more.

The benefits

Reservists are generally considered to make excellent employees. You’ll develop teamwork, leadership, loyalty, and the ability to work under the utmost pressure – all extremely valuable in the workplace.

If you require further assistance, advice is available from SaBRE  (Supporting Britain’s Reservists & Employers).

Key points to remember

Don’t jeopardise your civilian job by failing to check your company’s policy on employing Reservists. Some don’t support Reserve Forces, while others only permit a percentage of their workforce to join.

Also, keep in mind that you will get paid for your RNR training and duties. Your company may require you to get permission to do additional paid work.

And finally – if you change your job, don’t forget to notify your new employer about your membership of the RNR. Remember, you need the support of your employer.