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Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)

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Royal Naval Reserve (RNR)

The Royal Navy has had a system of reserves for hundreds of years. The Royal Naval Reserve was started when it was realised that there was little point in maintaining a fleet of fighting ships in peacetime when there were insufficient trained crews to man them if war broke out. It was with this in mind that in 1859 the Government passed the Royal Naval Volunteer and Royal Naval Officers Acts which resulted in 10,000 experienced seafarers being trained in naval gunnery.

In the ensuing years both Acts were amended until in 1958 the Royal Naval Reserve, as we know it today, was formed. Prior to the changes made in 1958 the use of Naval Reserves served the country well in two World Wars with reservists being used subsequent to 1958 in the Falklands Campaign. Royal Naval Reserve personnel have been deployed on operations to Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia.

The Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) allows the Royal Navy to meet its commitments whenever a manpower ‘surge’ is required such as times of war or crisis, such as humanitarian disaster relief or the rescue of British ex-pats from Lebanon during the recent Lebanon – Israel conflict.

Eligibility

>> To join the RNR as an officer you need to:

• Be between 17 and 40 (Parental consent is needed if under 18 year of age) with the maximum age depending on role

• Pass the Royal Navy fitness and medical test

• At least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) and 140 UCAS points to be eligible to apply to become an officer.

• Be either a British citizen; a citizen of Ireland or a citizen of a Commonwealth country. However, some trades are only available to British citizens.

>> To join the RNR as a rating you need to:

• Be between 16 and 40 (Parental consent is needed if under 18 years of age) and ex-RN can apply up to age 45.

• Pass the Royal Navy fitness and medical test

• There are no formal qualifications needed except for technical roles

• Be either a British citizen; a citizen of Ireland or a citizen of a Commonwealth country. However, some trades are only available to British citizens.

Next:

Royal Naval Reserve: What commitment is involved?

Training for the Royal Naval Reserve

Royal Navy Reserve Pay Scales

Other units:

Royal Marines Reserve (RMR)

Territorial Army (TA)

Royal Air Force Reserve (RAFR)