The Mobilisation Process

What happens?

Each of the Reserve Forces follows a strict procedure when mobilising Reservists. This includes notifying both you and your Reservist of the date when they are required to report for duty and a period of pre-mobilisation training. 

As soon as a Reservist receives a call-out notice, they should inform their employer. Their employer should also receive an information pack, which sets out the date and possible duration of mobilisation as well as their statutory rights and obligations and how to apply for financial assistance. Both Reservist and employer have the right to apply for an exemption or deferral of mobilisation under certain exceptional circumstances.

How much notice will I get?

Where ever possible the MOD aims to give at least 28 days notice of mobilisation, although for operational reasons it can sometimes be less. There is no statutory requirement for a minimum period of notice of mobilisation.

The circumstances and notice periods of mobilisation are, however, different for High Readiness Reserves. See Types of Reservist

Called up for service

The call-out notice for both Reservist and employer will include details of the financial assistance they can apply for and where to apply, together with timescales.

The employer does not have to pay the Reservist’s salary while they’re mobilised. Neither do they have to provide any benefits such as a company car or pension. Throughout their entire period of full-time service, the Reservist will receive military pay.

For Employers

• the cost of finding a temporary replacement for their Reservist employee while they’re away. This includes expenses such as advertising and agency costs, which are uncapped.
• any additional salary costs incurred through overtime if other employees provide cover
• the cost of retraining their Reservist in certain circumstances on their return.

For Reservists

• If the Reservist’s civilian salary is greater than their military one, they’ll be able to claim for the difference
• They can also claim for the loss of any benefits such as a company car or private health insurance.

Financial Assistance

What happens during mobilisation?

The Reservist reports to their mobilisation centre on the date specified in their call-out notice. Here they’ll be given pre-mobilisation training, as well as a medical examination, before being accepted into full-time service. This whole process can take up to four weeks. They will then join a Regular Unit for the duration of their tour of duty. This is usually abroad, but there’s a small possibility that they could serve in the UK.

Why it really helps to stay in touch

Both Reservists and employers say it’s a great help to stay in regular contact throughout this time. Not only will it be good for people at work to know what their Reservist colleague is doing but the Reservist can also be kept up to speed with developments back at the office. Sending them company newsletters and emails, for instance, will help them integrate back into civilian life that much easier on their return.

Some employers set up websites so everyone can keep in touch. Regular emails are another easy way of keeping in contact. If neither of these is available to you, the Armed Forces have their own special communications facilities which you can use.

Mobilisation

The end of a tour of full-time service is referred to as ‘demobilisation’. The Armed Forces have a series of procedures in place to help Reservists readjust to civilian life:

• Adaption
  Before returning home the Reservist will be given a few days to ‘wind down’ with their unit in a controlled environment
• Assessment
  On returning to the UK they’ll go to their demobilisation centre where they’ll receive further briefings and go through various administrative procedures
• Post-operational leave
  They’ll then be formally demobilised and free to start a period of post operational leave
• Last day of service
  It is after their last day of full-time service that the Reservist will need to write to inform their employer of their availability to return to work and agree a start date. There are specified timescales for this. Their civilian job is protected under The Safeguard of Employment Act.

Demobilisation

What happens during demobilisation?

The end of a tour of full-time service is referred to as ‘demobilisation’. The Armed Forces have a series of procedures in place to help Reservists readjust to civilian life:

Adaption

• Before returning home the Reservist will be given a few days to ‘wind down’ with their unit in a controlled environment

Assessment

• On returning to the UK they’ll go to their demobilisation centre where they’ll receive further briefings and go through various administrative procedures

Post-operational leave

• They’ll then be formally demobilised and free to start a period of post operational leave

Last day of service

• It is after their last day of full-time service that the Reservist will need to write to inform their employer of their availability to return to work and agree a start date. There are specified timescales for this. Their civilian job is protected under The Safeguard of Employment Act.

Return to work