Although this is what Reservists train for, most greet the arrival of a call-out notice with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It is possible that you’ll suddenly find yourself with a great deal to do and think about. Find out more about what happens when you receive a call out notice.
Your Employer Support Officer is there to help you and maintain the support of your employer, as well as acting as a point of contact for them from the time you receive your call-out order.
How does the MOD decide who to call out?
Although all mobilisation is compulsory in law, the majority of the time, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses a process known as 'Intelligent Selection' to identify individuals for call out. This allows Reservists to be selected according to their individual skills and specializations and allows a unit to take into account a Reservist’s personal and employment circumstances.
This is done by discussing the matter with you, your unit, the appropriate Service Manning Authority and in some cases your employer too. The intention is to reduce the likelihood that either you or your employer will raise an Application (or subsequent Appeal) against the mobilisation once the call out notice has been served.
Occasionally, when operational deadlines are very short, the scale of the operation particularly large, or if there is a shortage of skills in a certain area, the MOD may have to resort to mobilising personnel without being able to go through this process. This has happened on occasion in Afghanistan, Iraq and the wider Gulf region, but the Armed Forces always seek to keep the numbers of such mobilisations to an absolute minimum.
If you’re called out you and your employer always have the right to seek exemption, deferral or revocation of the mobilisation.
Will your employer have a say?
In any case where an employer is invited to respond to the proposed mobilisation, their views will be taken into account. Discussing mobilisation with your employer will give you the chance to manage any concerns they may have and make it easier for them to be supportive of you.