WHAT MAKES A: RESERVIST
Army Reservists serve in the Army in their spare time. They can choose to train in the evenings and at the weekend, combining Army life and their day to day life - and of course they're paid for their time.
Reserve centre finder
Most people serve near where they live. There are Army Reserve centres across Britain, who will welcome you in for a chat and to see what it's like.
Please enter your location or postcode
ways to join
army reserve soldier
More information about serving in the British Army as a Reservist soldier.
army reserve officer
More information about what it is to be an officer in the Army Reserve.WHO ARE THE ARMY RESERVE?
Commonly asked questions
Do Reservists get paid?
Certainly! Individuals are paid per day or part day of service and these are known as Reserve Service Days (RSD) and the pay is the same as the regular army daily rate of pay plus 5% X Factor which is included to compensate for the occasional nuisances of service.
Pay rates are decided each year and are increased in line with rank and seniority. There is a Final Salary Pension scheme based on years of service and any payment in retirement will depend on time served overall and rank and seniority on retirement.
There is paid leave which is added as an extra day’s pay for each ten days served. There is no need to go on leave to get this as it is paid automatically when an individual has served 10 days.
Travel and subsistence costs are met generally up to a maximum of 50 miles from the unit.
A tax-free bounty is paid if all training and mandatory tests have been completed together with the required number of RSDs. These are 27 for local units and 19 for national. The bounty ranges from £470 in the first year to £1,862 after five years.
What's the training like?
You'll need to do your basic training - but this can be arranged to fit in around your day job. You don't have to do all the training at once. It can be completed in shorter modules or in one go.
After a candidate has successfully passed selection and been accepted into service, he or she will have to undergo basic recruit training either over several weekends or in a consolidated period of weeks.
Then there is a further special to arm, skill-based period of training which will equip the individual for service in the specific unit of choice and in many cases equip a soldier with new skills that are readily transferrable to civilian jobs.
After that you will be expected to attend a training evening each week (generally Tuesday or Wednesday evenings), one or two weekends training a month and two weeks continuous training which may be the unit collective training camp or may be a course.
National units normally do two weekends and two weeks.
Officers will do different training and a lot of it will be at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).
IS THE ARMY RESERVE THE SAME AS THE TA?
The Territorial Army (TA) was renamed the Army Reserve in 2012, as part of a move to modernise the organisation and make it more relevant to a 21st century role. As a result the Army Reserve has a much more central role in today's Army.
Do Reservists go on operations?
Yes, as an Army Reservist, you may be asked to go on operations, working alongside full time soldiers and officers. This could be in the UK or deployed overseas.
Individuals are liable for mobilisation (to be called up) under the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (RFA96) but this is normally with the agreement of the individual and the employer and is voluntary but may be compulsory if the Government decides.
Can i transfer to the regular Army?
Yes, it's quite common for Reservists to become full time soldiers. You may have to go through interviews and a selection process, depending on the role that you want, although for many roles the selection is the same. You may have to undergo further training to equip you for your new job. Your Commanding Officer will be able to advise you.What's the difference between Regular and Reserve?
Officers and soldiers in the Regular Army are employed full time to serve. Reservists are paid to serve in their spare time, and often have different day jobs.How long do i have to stay in?
As long as you like or as long as you can! You are not committed to a set period and can leave at any time. You are not tied in to a contract, and you can leave at any point. It is also up to you how many hours you spend as a Reservist, although you can receive extra payment if you meet the minimum commitment (usually 27 days a year).Can I try it before I join?
Yes - your local unit would love to see you. If you arrange a visit, you'll get a good ideas as to what happens, and chances are you can join the drill nights while your application is processed.Reservist commitment
How much time you spend is really up to you - training is flexible and can fit around your life. Most roles will ask you to aim for 27 days a year - and your weekly training session at your unit will count towards this. If you join a specialist unit - it could be as little as 19 days a year.
Pay and benefits
As a Reservist, you'll be paid a daily rate. You can also earn an annual 'bounty' which is a tax free sum, and there are financial packages available to some people looking to join the Army Reserve.
It's not just about money, though, you'll get opportunities to travel and experience things, that as a civilian, simply aren't available. Plus, you'll earn qualifications and promotions as you develop.