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Support for Reserve Force Members

Being mobilised is a big change for your every day life and it also affects your employer. There are various procedures that have been put in place to make this as easy as possible.

• You need to inform your employer that you are a member of the Volunteer Reserve Forces (VRF). This is now done by the MoD writing a letter to your employer with your permission, informing them about the associated benefits, rights and obligations.
• You need to find out about any policies your employer may have about the VRF. For example, you may not be able to take annual leave at set times for VRF training sessions. Some employers give you extra time off for your training.
• You must inform your employer as soon as possible if you are mobilised. Even though the MoD will write to your employer explaining the full details, it is still your responsibility to tell them yourself.
• You need to give accurate information about your commitments to the VRF to your employer.

When you return from mobilisation you have a right to be re-employed in the type of job in which you were last employed, on terms and conditions no less favourable than you had before. Or if this is not reasonable and practicable, to be re-employed in the most favourable job and on the most favourable terms and conditions which are reasonable and practicable in your case.

The VRF also offer you financial support when you are mobilised for a number of things you may not have considered.

• If your civilian pay is higher than your service pay you can claim the difference as a daily amount.
• The daily cost of replacing benefits that your employer may suspend while you are mobilised. For example, health insurance, educational fees for a dependent child or accommodation.
• This daily claim is not related to your Service rank but is capped at £548 per day, around £200,000 a year. (Medical Consultants serving with the Defence Medical Services, have a higher cap of £822 per day, around £300,000 a year.
• If you are self-employed you can claim as an employer to replace yourself, as well as claiming for the difference between your business income and your service pay.
• A flat-rate allowance of £10.70 per day if you have to return your company car that was the only one available for use by your spouse, family or dependents.
• Costs for care of a dependent child
• Costs for care of a dependent relative
• Costs for care of a pet, excluding veterinary costs
• Extra insurance for leaving your own home empty
• Essential maintenance on your own home
• The MoD will pay you a pension for the time you are mobilised, you have a number of options as to how this is arranged depending on when you joined.

Go to: Am I eligible to join the Armed Forces?
More: Regular or Reserve?
Next Section: Which Reserves Force is right for you?

Army, Air Force, Navy, the Royal Marines or even the Special Forces? Read the information and take your pick. What will you be doing with your weekends in future?

Territorial Army (TA) Overview
Territorial Army: What commitment is Involved?
Territorial Army Training
Territorial Army Wages
Regular Reserves

Royal Air Force Reserves, RAFR and RAuxAF
RAF Reserves: What commitment is Involved?
RAF Training
RAF Wages

Royal Navy Reserves
Royal Navy Reserves: What commitment is Involved?
Royal Navy Training
Royal Navy Wages

Royal Marines Reserves
Royal Marines Reserves: What commitment is Involved?
Royal Marines Training
Royal Marines Wages

The Special Forces Reserves

If you don’t think that the Marines Reserves hold enough of a challenge for you there is always the Special Forces Reserves. Couch potatoes need not apply! If you’re feeling strong, focused and determined enough you can find out more information in the SAS: Special Forces Section.

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