What happens
Whenever Reservists are needed to fulfil their part of the UK's defence strategy, they are 'mobilised' or 'called out'. Mobilisation is the process of calling Reservists into full-time service with the Regular Forces on military operations.
- Intelligent Selection for mobilisation
- Mobilisation of the unwilling
- Selection
- Call-out
- Timescales
- The legal basis for mobilisation
- Mobilisation and pre-deployment training
- Deployment
- Demobilisation and returning to work
- Extension of mobilisation
Intelligent Selection for mobilisation
Although all mobilisation is compulsory in law, in most circumstances, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) uses a process of 'Intelligent Selection' to identify Reservists who are both suitable and 'willing' to undertake an operational tour. The process achieves this through dialogue with the Reservist, their unit, the appropriate Service Manning Authority and in some instances with thier employer. The intent is to reduce the liklihood of either the Reservist or the employer raising an Application (or subsequent Appeal) against the mobilisation once the Call Out Notice has been sent.
Where employers are invited to respond to the proposed mobilisation of an employee, their views will be taken into consideration. In subsequent cases where the employee is mobilised against the wishes of the employer, under existing legislation both the Reservist and employer will still have the right to seek exemption from, deferral of, or revocation from the mobilisation.
Mobilisation of the unwilling
When there are very short operational deadlines, the scale of operation is particularly large or there is a shortage in a so called 'pinchpoint' trade, the MOD may have to resort to mobilising personnel who are unwilling and/or whose employers do not wish to release. Such mobilisation has taken place in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and the wider Gulf region, however, the Armed Forces seek to keep the numbers of such mobilisations to an absolute minimum.
As in all cases of mobilisation, both the Reservist and the employer have the right to seek exemption from, deferral of or revocation of a mobilisation once a Call-Out Notice has been issued.
Call-Out
Mobilisation is initiated through the mechanism of a Call-Out Notice which is sent or given directly to the Reservist. It is accompanied by a considerable amount of supporting documentary information.
From the moment the Reservist receives a Call-Out Notice, they will need to consider what actions to take to put their affairs in order before reporting for mobilisation. A Reservist may need to make financial provisions for his or her family or ensure that regular payments, rent or mortgage for example, will continue to be made while they are away.
In all cases, the employer will receive a comprehensive information pack shortly after a Reservist employee has been issued with a Call-Out notice. This will either arrive by post or be delivered by the employee. The pack is designed to answer many of the questions that face employers once an employee has been mobilised.
Timescales
In the event of mobilisation, the time from receiving the Call-Out papers to 'reporting' for mobilisation is normally four weeks. There are exceptions and, as stated above, the warning time for short-notice operational mobilisations can be considerably shorter.
The legal basis for mobilisation
The Reserve Forces Act 1996 provides the legal basis under which mobilisation can take place.
Under the Act, Call-Out can be authorised:
- by Her Majesty making an order 'if it appears to Her that national danger is imminent or that a great emergency has arisen; or in the event of an actual or apprehended attack on the UK' (Section 52)
- by the Secretary of State for Defence making an order 'if it appears to him that warlike operations are in preparation or progress' (Section 54)
- by the Secretary of State for Defence making an order 'if it appears to him that it is necessary or desirable to use armed forces on operations outside the UK for the protection of life or property; or on operations anywhere in the world for the alleviation of distress or the preservation of life or property in time of disaster or apprehended disaster' (Section 56)
High Readiness Reserves (HRR) and Sponsored Reserves (SR) mobilisation is undertaken under different sections of the Act, as is Recall which is authorised under Sect 68. *Additionally, Transitionals come under RFA 80.
Under RFA 96 both the Reservist and the employer are entitled to seek exemption, deferral or revocation of a Call-Out for mobilisation. See Exemption, Revocation and Deferral for more information.
Mobilisation and pre-deployment training
If a Reservist is mobilised for a deployment abroad, pre-deployment training (PDT) generally takes place at the single Service Mobilisation Centre; specified in the Call-Out pack.
The pre-deployment training process generally takes two to eight weeks and includes:
- administration - pay, kit and equipment, welfare and medical
- refresher training - low-level training
- collective training - where individuals train in groups
- training specific to the theatre of operation
- training specific to the Reservist's function
Deployment
Deployment is the period of time during which the Reservist will be carrying out the operational tasks. Normally, Reservists are mobilised for operations abroad but exceptionally, a Reservist may be required to fulfil the function in the UK.
Demobilisation and returning to work
Either on a set date, or during a set period, the Reservist will return from the operational theatre to a Demobilisation Centre for a basic reversal of the mobilisation process. At this point the Reservist will have to begin the process to ensure that they can return to their previous civilian employment. See Return to work for more information about the procedure.
Extension of mobilisation
An individual who is mobilised may be compulsorily extended or may ask to extend beyond the date originally identified.
The maximum period of mobilised service for which a Reservist is liable varies according to: the section of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 under which a Call-Out order is made; whether or not the Reservist has been in mobilised service prior to the day on which they were mobilised under the current Call-Out order; or the 'Run Out Date' of the current engagement.
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