Reservists are members of the Armed Forces, including ex-members of the Regular Forces with a reserve liability, who are able to boost the capability of Regular Units during military operations.
Who they are
Reservists are men and women from all backgrounds, regions and types of work who give up their time to train and serve alongside the Regular Forces.
There are around 40,000 Volunteer Reservists in the UK and they form some 25 per cent of the nation's total defence capacity. That makes Reservists an essential part of the UK's defence strategy.
What they do
Reservists train to carry out the same roles as their Regular counterparts. They receive the same world-class training and develop comprehensive skill sets.
Why they are important
Reservists provide the Armed Forces with individuals or ready-formed Units to augment the Regular Forces when operational demands require it. Such situations include times of war or threat to national security, and when it is necessary to fulfil humanitarian and peacekeeping duties.
- The different types of Reservist, whether volunteers or ex-Regulars, depending on the part of the Armed Forces to which they belong.
- The categories of Reservist, depending on their duties and level of commitment.
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