Interested in joining the Army reserves?

Life in the reserves is designed to fit around you, not the other way round. There’s some great flexibility too. Transferring to the ARRG is a paperwork exercise that you can complete with the HR staff at a time convenient to you.

Information on joining the Army reserves

Prior to joining

• Transferring to the Reserves directly from Regular Service is very easy and can be done whilst in Resettlement (this will not affect your Regular Service, on your release date you will switch on JPA from being a Regular to being a Reserve).
• If you’re interested or considering joining the reserves look at the units in your local area; if you are unsure, follow this link and put in your postcode.
• Remember, you can transfer to any cap badge, not just your own Career Employment Group (CEG).
• You have a choice of joining either a local unit (27 Days service) or national unit (19 Days) who are more specialised (eg MWD, MGS). Both options have the same opportunities and follow the same joining process.

The process

• Contact the unit and arrange a visit and see which one is more suitable for you; if you join and then want a change transferring between Army Reserve units is very easy and straight forward.
• To apply you need to speak to your RCMO and complete an AFE 07547A. The transfer process is done RCMO to RCMO and is relatively quick, if no RCMO is available then any officer within your unit would do, failing that, contact the RCMO of the unit you wish to transfer to with your completed AFE 07547A and seek their advice.
• Medical Categories on discharge are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• If you wish to join the Reserves after you have left Regular Service you need to go through the Army Jobs website and register your interest.

Useful information

• In the Reserves you can serve up to 207 days per year so if you have seasonal or rotational work you can back-fill with reserve days.
• Dependant on the PiDs available at your reserve unit and as long as you are substantive, you usually maintain your rank. It will depend on unit availability however, and the higher the rank, the greater the chance of a potential reduction.
• All Reserve units require support staff (HR, Chefs, Drivers G4 Stores, CMTs etc).
• Promotion does tend to be quicker in the Reserves (moreover for soldiers) promotion courses can also go towards Certificate of Efficiency (COE)
• You can still do Personal Development courses including Adventure Training, Instructional and Educational.
• You will be part of a Non contributary pension scheme (AFPS 15) again.
• If you are a keen Sports Person you can continue to represent your unit/cap badge/service.
• Free gym facilities are available in your Army Reserve Centres.
• You are still eligible for an Armed Forces Rail Card.
• Access to Standard Learning Credits.

Bounty

Bounty is an annual tax-free payment which is achieved by completing Certificate of Efficiency (CoE)-27 days training, (19 days for National Units) inc Individual Training Requirement (ITR) and a camp. Bounty amounts are reviewed regularly.

*As an Ex-Reg you will go onto top level Bounty.

The Army Reserve Reinforcement Group (ARRG)

Life in the Reserves is designed to fit around you, not the other way round. There’s some great flexibility too. Transferring to the ARRG is a paperwork exercise that you can complete with the HR staff at a time convenient to you.

In a nutshell it means that you can transfer to the Reserves, be put on ‘Hold’ for a period of time until you are able to re-engage (with any unit); so, you can still remain part of the Reserves and no one will be stressing about you not attending your unit.