This is covered in The Reserve Forces Act 1996 (RFA 96). There are four main powers under which mobilisation can take place:
- If it appears that national danger is imminent, a great emergency has arisen or if there’s been an actual attack on the United Kingdom Sections 52 (mobilisation) and 68 (recall)
- If it appears that warlike operations are in preparation or progress e.g. Afghanistan (s54)
- If it appears necessary or desirable to use our Armed Forces on operations outside the UK for the protection of life or property; or on operations elsewhere in the world for the alleviation of distress or the preservation of life or property in time of disaster or apprehended disaster, e.g. the Balkans (s56)
- If it appears necessary or desirable to use our Armed Forces for urgent work of national importance (s56)
Both Reservists and employers always have the right to apply for exemption or deferral of the mobilisation. To find out what a call out pack would contain and how to discuss mobilisation with your employer see called out for service.