What happens during demobilisation?
Your Reservist won’t be coming back to you direct from the front line. The Armed Forces have a series of procedures in place to help them readjust to civilian life:
1. Adaption
Before returning home, your Reservist may undergo a process of ‘winding down’ with their unit in a controlled environment for up to four days. Here, they’ll be given time to relax as well as receive a series of briefings to help prepare them for civilian life. These include:
- An update on media coverage of the conflict they’ve been involved in, so they’ll know what people at home have heard about it.
- A presentation on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by specially trained medical staff, and the opportunity for one-to-one interviews.
2. Assessment
Once Reservists arrive back in the UK, they’re taken to their demobilisation centre, where the process of reintegration continues. As well as all the necessary post-operative administration procedures, such as handing back their uniforms, they undergo a series of medical assessments, and receive further briefings on stress, their return to work, welfare guidance and advice. One-to-one and specialist sessions are available throughout the Reservist’s remaining time in service, and will continue for as long as needed.
3. Post-operational leave
The Reservist is then formally demobilised and free to start their post-operational leave. All Reservists are entitled to a period of leave and Reservists continue to be paid by the MOD during this period. (This usually works out at an average of around 30 days.) Post-operational leave allows them time to fully readjust and prepare for civilian life. It’s also an ideal time to get in touch if you haven’t done so before. Regular contact with your Reservist will help make their return to work that much smoother and easier. Their final day of post operational leave is known as their last day of whole-time service, and the last day they receive full military pay.
4. Last day of whole-time service
A Reservist’s last day of whole-time service signals their final day of full military pay. They must write to you formally, to state their readiness to return to work no later than the 3rd Monday following their last day of whole-time service. The start date for your Reservist’s return to work should be within around 6 weeks of their last day of whole time service (The timelines which need to be followed during this process are set out within the Safeguard of Employment Act 1985, this can be downloaded as part of SaBRE's Return to Work Pack).
The importance of keeping in touch
Regular contact with your Reservist during their post-operational leave will help ease their transition back to work. Most employers find it really useful to keep managers and colleagues informed during this period, and to have an informal interview with their Reservist on their return. This will give them the opportunity to talk about their experiences and for you to update them on what's been going on in their absence.