ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE Your career guide YOUR ROLE | THE PEOPLE YOU’LL MEET | THE PLACES YOU’LL GO WELCOME For most people, the demands of a job and family life are enough. However, some have ambitions that go beyond the everyday. You may be one of them. In which case, you’re exactly the kind of person we’re looking for in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). The Royal Naval Reserve is a part-time force of civilian volunteers, who provide the Royal Navy with the additional trained people it needs at times of tension, humanitarian crisis, or conflict. As a Reservist, you’ll have to meet the same fitness and academic requirements, wear the same uniform, do much of the same training and, when needed, be deployed in the same places and situations as the regulars. Plus, you’ll be paid for the training and active service that you do. Serving with the Royal Naval Reserve is a unique way of life that attracts people from all backgrounds. For some, it’s a stepping stone to a Royal Navy career; for others, a chance to develop skills, knowledge and personal qualities that will help them in their civilian work. Many join simply because they want to be part of the Royal Navy but know they can’t commit to joining full-time. Taking on a vital military role alongside your existing family and work commitments requires a great deal of dedication, energy and enthusiasm. In return, we offer fantastic opportunities for adventure, travel, personal development and friendships that can last a lifetime. This publication is all about how you could be part of it. We wish you every success and look forward to welcoming you to the Royal Naval Reserve. Visit royalnavy.mod.uk/rnr or call 08456 07 55 55 CONTENTS Welcome 2 Who we are and what we do 4 What it means to be a Reservist 6 Joining and training 8 Ratings and officers How to join Rating training and development Officer training and development Jobs and opportunities 18 General entry – open to all Civilians with specialist skills Ex-regulars only Royal Naval Reserve life 46 Your commitment What we can offer you Sports and recreation And finally... 54 Your questions answered Equal opportunities The Naval Service Royal Naval Reserve unit details 2 3 “I’ve loved every minute of the 10 years I’ve been WHO WE ARE in the RNR; it’s been a great way to meet new AND WHAT WE DO people and my role The Royal Naval Reserve is a key part of Britain’s Naval Service, providing a flexible in Logistics provides a force of trained people to serve in support complete contrast to of the Royal Navy in times of conflict, tension my day job.” or humanitarian need. Simon, Logistics branch and Fraud Investigator The Royal Naval Reserve is made up of This could include providing essential Being a member of the Royal Naval Reserve around 2000 men and women from all protection for Royal Navy warships in also means you could be used if there was backgrounds and walks of life. They form foreign waters, giving vital logistical a civil emergency in the UK. part of the Royal Navy’s ‘total strength’. support to crews of ships, sending detailed Around 25% of them have previously signal information to submarines, supplying The Royal Naval Reserve offers you served with the Royal Navy, but most important safety information to merchant incredible opportunities. That said, it’s have no previous military experience. shipping or planning the landings of an simply not practical or appropriate to open All are volunteers. amphibious task group. up all Royal Navy roles to people serving part-time. So if you want to serve on a When needed, the Royal Naval Reserve You’ll improve your skills on exercises submarine, fly fast jets, or spend regular supplements the full-time ranks with extra alongside the Royal Navy, which may periods at sea, we’d recommend you manpower, and in some cases provides take place on shore or at sea. In today’s seriously consider joining the Royal Navy, additional specialist civilian skills. So, as world, there’s a good chance that you’ll be for which serving in the Royal Naval Reserve a Reservist, you’ll have an important role. mobilised to support military operations, in will be excellent preparation. which case you’ll be using your new-found skills for real. THE FACE OF THE ROYAL NAVY Even when you’re not on exercise or on operations, you’ll be doing important work simply by being a member of the Royal Naval Reserve. In parts of the country without naval bases or shore establishments, Reservists are the ‘face’ of the Royal Navy, so you’ll be crucial in promoting a greater understanding of the Royal Navy and its work among the general public. 4 5 WHAT IT MEANS Really? Many members of TO BE A RESERVIST the full-time Royal Navy started their The Royal Naval Reserve offers a fantastic way naval careers in the Royal Naval Reserve. of life, but the training and exercises you’ll take part in are more than just a fun way to spend your evenings and weekends. How do you balance your civilian career with serving in the Although you’ll be serving part-time, you’re As well as the confidence you’ll develop and There’ll be times when you’ll need real Royal Naval Reserve? central to the Royal Navy’s overall strength. the sense of achievement you’ll feel, many determination and motivation to balance “I joined the RNR while I was at university, so it’s always been part of You’ll need to balance your normal ‘day’ people see joining us as an opportunity to your home, work and Royal Naval Reserve my working life. When I took up my current job, I had to move (I’m a job and family life with your Royal Naval learn something new. This learning starts as commitments. In return, we promise you maths teacher in a private school) but luckily that didn’t mean leaving Reserve service. soon as you begin your initial training. opportunities to see places and do things the RNR; I just transferred to a different unit.” most people only dream of, with some of Today’s huge demands on Britain’s armed Later, there are a number of different roles the best friends you’ll ever make. What are the benefits of being a Reservist to your life and forces means you’re more likely than ever to you can train for. Some people choose a prospects outside? be called out for active service on operations. job based on their civilian skills, such as Once you’re fully-trained, you may have “I mobilised to undertake ship protection duties in the North Arabian In fact, as a member of the Royal Naval medicine, but many train for a job that is the chance to serve for a longer period Gulf and this certainly made me more confident, and determined. Reserve, it’s a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ completely different to their civilian career. with the Royal Navy through the Full-Time Having joined as a rating, I’m now considering my next RNR challenge, you’ll get to put your training into practice. Reservist Service (FTRS) contract. This is a which is putting myself forward for officer selection.” In recent years, Reservists have served in great option if you’re between civilian jobs, various parts of the world, including the planning a career break or looking for a Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. change in direction. ‘BUFFY’ SEAMAN BRANCH AND MATHS TEACHER 6 7 You’ve seen who we are, what we do and how JOINING we do it. Here’s how we go about turning your AND TRAINING ambition into a reality. In this section: Ratings and officers - Page 10 How to join - Page 12 Rating training and development - Page 14 Officer training and development - Page 16 Visit royalnavy.mod.uk/rnr or call 08456 07 55 55 8 9 “Having joined as a rating I’m now very proud to command an RNR unit, especially in Liverpool with its long maritime history.” Mike, Commanding Officer and Project Manager for a manufacturing company RATINGS AND OFFICERS Your civilian job does not have to dictate what you do in the Reserves. Just because you’re a manager in your civilian job does not mean you have to be an officer as a Reservist. Joining as a rating Specialist officer ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE RATING For those with no previous military As a qualified civilian doctor, nurse or Age: 16 to 40. If you are under 17-and- experience, you’ll generally join the minister of religion, you can apply for a-half, we will need your parent’s Royal Naval Reserve as a rating. As in the direct entry into the Royal Naval Reserve or guardian’s permission. Royal Navy, ratings are the Royal Naval as a Medical Officer, Nursing Officer or Nationality: British, Irish, Commonwealth or Reserve’s workforce, trained to do specific Chaplain. We also have opportunities for British dual citizenship. jobs within the team. We’ll expect you to officers currently serving with the Merchant Qualifications: No specific qualifications are maintain the same professional standards Navy. To join us as a specialist officer, you’ll needed. and levels of physical fitness as your need to meet certain conditions relating to Sex: This role is open to both men and colleagues in the full-time Royal Navy.