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A guide to opportunities

Royal Navy Reserves

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A world of opportunity 4 Join the team 6 Operation Critical Response 8

Choose your route 10 In action 20 Make the commitment 21 Take the plunge 22

Your local Unit 24 Get in touch 26

Introduction

Be a part of som

Contents


Royal Navy Reserves 2 3

The Royal Navy Reserves (RNR) is an integral partof Britain’s naval forces and is made up of menand women from all walks of life, from a wholerange of backgrounds, with many differentreasons for getting involved.

Did you know?Many members of the full-time Royal Navy started their naval careers in the Reserves.

omething special

You will go to places and see things that most people only dream of, andthough at times it will be challenging, you’ll be part of a tight-knit team thatwill support you every step of the way.

Use this brochure to find out more about the opportunities available in theReserves and how you can join.

We offer men and women the chance to serve theircountry, develop their leadership potential and learn a whole range of new skills.


Royal Navy Reserves

The Reserves enable the Royal Navy to meet its operational commitments in times of stretch, when extra manpower is required; crisis, such as the firefighters strike or a humanitarian disaster; or tension, for example rescuing British ex-pats from Lebanon or war.

The role is one you can do in your spare time, but you can get a lot out of it.For some people it can help shape their career, for others it could be a steppingstone to a full-time career in the Royal Navy, and some join because it offers a great social life and the chance to take part in a fantastic range of sports and activities.

Plenty of optionsThere is a wide variety of roles available in the Royal Navy Reserves, fromupdating navigational charts to ensure safe passage at sea, to analysing andreporting on defence intelligence.

Whatever role you do, at whatever rank, being a Reservist is a great way todevelop leadership and teamwork skills and enhance your management ability.

Get paidUnlike most volunteer roles, once enrolled as a Royal Navy Reservist you will get paid for any training and work that you do.

An added bonusIf you complete your minimum training commitment satisfactorily you can alsobenefit from an annual tax-free bounty. This currently ranges from £382 in yourfirst year up to £1,506 after five years.

A world of o

‘In the RNR you know you are making a difference in terms of what you’re doing; by getting people out of a war-torn country or preventing an environmentaldisaster.’ Rolf Williams, Media Operations Officer



f opportunity

Did you know?Women can join the Royal Navy Reserves and serve in all specialisations. Currently,women make up about a quarterof the Royal Navy Reserves.

People from all kinds of backgrounds join the RoyalNavy Reserves: teachers, postmen, students, shopassistants, solicitors, doctors, nurses, merchantbankers, the unemployed, property developers,manual labourers, IT consultants, airline pilots,journalists…


Royal Navy Reserves

Join the team

Test your limits Get an adrenalin rush with someof the adventurous trainingopportunities available. How doyou like the idea of taking part in a skydive, snowboarding in the Alps or mountaineering inEcuador? Many of the activities are free or subsidised and areopen to novices as well as thosethat have some experience.

You can even get civilianqualifications from some of theadventurous training, such asskippering a boat or MountainLeader.

Broaden your horizonsThe Royal Navy Reserves offerssome incredible opportunities totravel, and quite a few exercisescan take place abroad, whichmeans you will get to see a whole lot more of the world.

Fitting round your life We recognise that most Reservistshave very busy lives, so we aim tobe as flexible as possible, so youcan fit your training commitmentsaround your lifestyle. We havemany different locations whereyou can train and attend trainingnights (for more information, seepages 24 and 25), so there isbound to be one near you. If youmove house you can transfer to a different unit – no problem.

There is a lot more to life with the Royal NavyReserves than just the job you do. You will getopportunities to travel, to learn new skills andmeet an extraordinary group of people.

‘I cannot get over the number of opportunities that are available to us; from round the world trips to sailing to the Caribbean or parachuting. You can pretty much get involved in anything you want.’ Nick Naisbitt, Junior Rating



Develop your talentsThe Royal Navy is one of thelargest training organisations inthe UK and offers a whole rangeof training courses, many of whichmay be applicable in your civilianlife, such as basic first aid, basicfirefighting, and command,leadership and management skills.

You will be given all the trainingyou need to do your job andmore. On some of the trainingexercises, you could find yourselfbattling the elements on a boat or being winched down from ahelicopter!

Sporting chances All the Royal Navy’s sports facilitiesare available to Reservists too, withan almost overwhelming numberof sports clubs on offer, such asjudo, rock climbing, cycling,archery, rowing, badminton,football, rugby, fencing, cricketand more.

You could even end uprepresenting the Reserves at theInter-Forces Championships.

Have funLife as a Reservist is not just aboutwork and training. The Royal NavyReserves offers a fantastic sociallife and you will probably makesome life-long friends. You will getplenty of chances to enjoy yourselfand life is rarely dull as a Reservist.

‘You will have experiences that you couldn’t buy such as sailing into New York on HMS Manchester where the Fleetwas reviewed by President Clinton; escorting the Royal Yacht into Hong Kong harbour on the Queen’s last visit; orswimming in the Atlantic Ocean miles off the North Carolinacoast on the order “Hands to bathe”.’ Kevin Marley, New Entry Instructor


At work

Operation Critical Response

location:

Atlantic Ocean, off West Africa.

mission:

Simulate amphibiouslanding of Royal MarinesAssault Group and securesafe return of Britishnationals caught in civil war situation.

Read here about an imaginary exercise, showing all the elements of the Royal Navy Reserves working together as a team, alongside the Regular forces.

➟➟

conditions:

35°C; high humidity;dangerous coastallandscape.

preparation:

Defence IntelligenceOfficers collate and producecrucial intelligence reportsabout the area andpotential threats, which will inform the mission.

A Logistics Officer and teamof Senior and Junior Ratingsbegin to establish theforward logistics site, co-ordinating the transportand transfer of supplies and personnel.



se 42 Commando: Royal MarinesCommandos trained in junglewarfare techniques and supportequipment including Viking all-terrain vehicles.

Commando Helicopter Force:Sea King helicopters totransport Commandos from

ship to shore and Lynxhelicopters to carry out aerialreconnaissance missions andsurface/sub-surface attack.

HMS Ocean: helicopter landing platform; operationalcommand centre and launchpad for the 700 Royal Marinesof 42 Commando.

HMS Illustrious: aircraft carrier,with Harrier aircraft providingair support to groundoperations.

HMS Turbulent: Trafalgar Classfleet submarine, providingsurveillance of shore activities,

including digital photography ofenemy positions and shippingand land attack operations.

HMS Manchester: Type 42destroyer, designed to defendtroops and ships from airattack.

HELICOPTER FORCE42 COMMANDO HMS TURBULENT HMS MANCHESTER HMS ILLUSTRIOUS

amphibious task group:

day 1 ➟08.00 ➟ In order to ensuresafe passage, the Royal Navy ReservesNavigation Specialists update the chartsand provide critical information on thenavigational safety of the route.

11.00 ➟ Submarine Officersplot the track of a Tomahawk landattack missile.

13.00 ➟ Back in the UK,Communications Technicians compileand transfer highly sensitiveintelligence data and signalinformation, via satellite, radio and terrestrial links.

day 2 ➟06.00 ➟ A merchantnavy ship in the vicinity is chartered to provide support to naval warships.An Amphibious Operations Officer isbriefed and airlifted onboard. TheNaval Co-operation and Guidance ofShipping (NCAGS) team work closelywith the merchant navy to keep themup to date with safety information andprovide guidance and support.

12.00 ➟ Mine WarfareOfficers control mine disposaloperations to clear a channel to allowthe main Task Group to pass throughsafely. A team of Underwater ForceProtection Divers carry out underwaterchecks on ships in the Task Group.

17.00 ➟ Officers inamphibious operations plan thelanding strategy, co-ordinating thehelicopter operations in order todisembark Royal Marines Commandos.

18.00 ➟ Increased hostileactivity along the coastline means thatarmed Seamen increase the number of watches, and keep vigilant guardon board the ships, manning themagainst potential attack.

day 3 ➟05.00 ➟ On board HMS Ocean, Royal Navy Reservesaircrew prepare the helicopters forreconnaissance missions, before themain assault.

08.00 ➟ Royal NavyReserves Communication Specialistsprovide support to all the units and the maritime HQ. Media OperationsOfficers gear up to brief the media of the situation and facilitate anyinterviews onboard. The Royal NavyReserves Human Intelligence personnelprovide support to the evacuees byacting as interpreters or debriefersthroughout the mission.

09.00 ➟ Medicalpersonnel prepare the Royal Navy’sfloating medical facility, RFA Argus, for the possibility of casualties to beairlifted aboard. The Chaplain is onhand to support all naval personnel as well as any of the evacuees.


Choose your route

The choice is yours Your civilian job does not have to dictate what you do in your Reservist role.You may choose to do something that is similar to your civilian job, where thereis a direct transfer of skills, in the Medical Branch for example, or you maydecide you want to do something completely different. Just because you are a manager in your civilian role does not mean that you have to be an Officer as a Reservist.

Officer or Rating?Most entrants to the Royal Navy Reserves join as Ratings. The exceptions to this are ex-Royal Navy Officers, merchant navy officers and some MedicalOfficers, including Nursing Officers. Junior Ratings undergo New Entry training before they join a particular specialisation. Once trained, they can beconsidered for promotion to the commissioned ranks (i.e. Officer), if theyhold suitable qualifications.

Officers provide the higher management structure and will generally beresponsible for the welfare and training of a number of Ratings.

Straight to OfficerHowever, there are also opportunities to join the Royal Navy Reserves directly as an Officer – referred to as Direct Entry – if you have the correct qualifications.These are at least 140 UCAS points and five GCSEs at grade A*–C.

In the Royal Navy Reserves, you can progressthrough the ranks just as you can in the RegularRoyal Navy and it provides the opportunity for astructured career. Or you can join and stay a Ratingfor your whole time, if that is what you want.

Choose your r

Life in the Royal Navy Reserves is what you make it.

Did you know?12 per cent of RoyalNaval Reservists havebeen called up.



r route

>Navy slang

RatingsMost of our personnel are known as Ratings. As a Rating, you will providethe skills and expertiseneeded to operate ourtechnology and put ouroperations into practice.For many of these rolesyou will not need anyspecific qualificationsbecause we will give youall the training you need.


Choose your route

Maritime OperationsBranch

SEAMAN

Ratings onlyExperience/requirements: Nospecific experience/qualificationsrequired.

As a Seaman, you will become one of the most valuable and versatilemembers of the Royal NavyReserves. Your main responsibilitywill be to protect ships againstterrorist or other threats, both inharbour and at sea. You will betrained in weapon handling,seamanship, firefighting, nuclear,biological and chemical defence(NBCD), helicopter operations andthe ship protection organisation.

You will work in 12-person teamsand train as an independentlydeployable force led by a ChiefPetty Officer. In your team, you may be moved at short notice tosupplement Royal Navy ships’companies or merchant navy ships,where you would work closely withAmphibious Operations Officersand Navigators. You may alsosupport the mine countermeasuresbattlestaff and have theopportunity to train as MineWarfare Operations Specialists.

ON BOARDName: Phillip Guille Age: 34 Civilian job: IT consultant at Capita RNR post: Able Seaman

What qualities do youneed to do this role?Enthusiasm and determination.

What does the job involve?The critical thing is that we’re rifletrained and trained to protect aship. If it’s moored up, you’d havepeople on the gangway protectingit and standing watch and you’dbe trained to deal with searches if anyone boarded the ship.

AMPHIBIOUSOPERATIONS

Officers onlyExperience/requirements:Merchant navy officers, ex-RoyalNavy Warfare Officers and othersexperienced in the maritime sector.

Working on Royal Navy andmerchant navy ships, you would help plan an amphibiousoperation. This involves gettingpeople from land to sea and viceversa to wherever they are neededin the world. Specialised RoyalNavy and chartered merchantvessels combine to provide thesealift capability to deploy 3Commando Brigade Royal Marinesworldwide, in support of Britain’sinterests. As an Officer, you will betrained to act as an adviser tomerchant shipmasters and toinform Task Group commandersabout merchant ship operations.

You will also work closely withRoyal Marines Commandos in theplanning and execution of ship-to-shore operations.



MINE WARFARE

Officers onlyExperience/requirements: Nospecific experience/qualificationsrequired.

As Junior Officers, you will train at sea in mine countermeasuresvessels learning the capabilitiesand tactics involved inminehunting and diving beforelearning more specialist skills.

Your primary role will involve beingtrained to augment the RoyalNavy’s mine countermeasuresbattlestaff. You will also act as watchkeepers duringoperational deployments.

UNDERWATERFORCEPROTECTION

Officers and RatingsExperience/requirements: Opento personnel who hold either amilitary, police or recognisedcivilian diving qualification. Entrywill normally be at Rating levelwith the exception of those ex-Royal Navy Officers who holdmilitary diving qualifications.Entrants will be subject to a fullService diving medical and anassessment weekend prior to beingadmitted to the specialisation.

As an Underwater Force ProtectionDiver, you will be trained to airdive to 21 metres as part of aspecialist diving team. Full divingtraining on Service divingequipment will be given and youwill be required to keep yourdiving skills up to date atweekends. Teams may frequentlydeploy outside the UK. The rolewill primarily involve underwatersearches and minor repair work.

ON BOARDName: Stuart Wallace Civilian job: Fleet SuperintendentStena Line, RNR post: Amphibious Operations Specialist

What qualities do youneed to do your role?Patience and understanding arevital, because there are culturaland professional differencesbetween the merchant andmilitary. The ability to communicatewhat you want to achieve andhow you want to achieve it is key,as is two-way communication.

What’s been your biggestachievement so far?Joining the Tor Anglia ship, whichwas anchored at Phuket, Thailand.There were ten of us fromAmphibious Operations and wehad to get this 27-year-old ship andits crew ready for any eventuality.Everything had to happen at speedand we sailed into torrentialweather. But I knew we had theresources, the knowledge and thewillpower to do it.


Choose your route

LOGISTICS

Officers and RatingsExperience/requirements:Full driving licence required.

Excellent logistical support is vitalin order for the Royal Navy tofunction effectively.

As part of the Logisticsspecialisation, you will beresponsible for ensuring thateverything the Royal Navy needs to do its job is there at the righttime, such as food, supplies andadministrative support.

This is a crucial role, as the RoyalNavy operates in an unpredictableenvironment under challengingconditions. You are likely to findyourself in a variety of environmentsmanning advanced logistics supportsites, forward logistics sites andHeadquarters units.

You will be trained to take chargein a Logistics Headquarters andsites at forward locations, to ensurethat maritime forces get thesupport they need from ashore,which means controlling themovement of personnel, mail and cargo.

In recent years the Logisticsspecialisation has been at theforefront of innovation andtransition within the Royal NavyReserves. This is a specialisationwith a global commitment and all the posts are interesting anddemanding. We need people withself-discipline, leadership, integrityand a strong team ethic. You willneed to be able to communicateclearly and have the confidence and personality to be able to liaisewith a host of agencies andrepresentatives.

ON BOARDName: Lesley Stephen Civilian job: Regional Manager, Ministry of DefenceRNR post: Logistics Officer

What kind of things haveyou done recently?In Oman I participated in anexercise manning a forwardlogistics site; we had to pick up mail and cargo in Salalah foronward movement via helicopterto the ships at sea. Some of thecargo was sent to the RAF base inThumrait, which involved drivingthrough the desert. Cargo was alsooffloaded from planes at Thumraitand transported to Salalah.

I’ve been to Salerno in Italy whilstdoing logistics training on HMSNottingham and have participatedin various NATO exercises inEstonia, Austria and Belgium.



GUIDANCE TOSHIPPING

Officers and RatingsExperience/requirements: Nospecific experience/qualificationsrequired.

Naval Co-operation and Guidanceto Shipping (NCAGS) provides thevital link between the Royal Navyand the merchant navy. TheNCAGS organisation works closelywith the merchant shippingindustry to provide safetyinformation to ships andcompanies, and maintains apicture of where the ships are forthe Royal Navy Command. NCAGSOfficers and Ratings providesupport to military commandersand merchant shipping inpeacetime, tension, crisis andconflict through co-operation,guidance, advice and, wherenecessary, supervision.

You may be working in the UKand overseas, operating in smallteams to provide practical advice. Communication skills are important, as is the ability to build rapport.

SUBMARINEOPERATIONS


You will be part of a team that isresponsible for the tasking ofsubmarines and their safety. Youcan expect to carry out these rolesin either a NATO shoreheadquarters in the UK, Europe orNorth America, or in a commandship in the Submarine AdvisoryTeam, which may include supportto Cruise missile operations.

MARITIME TRADEOPERATIONS

The economic well-being of theUK depends upon overseas tradeand the uninterrupted flow ofnatural resources, the bulk ofwhich are transported by sea. With the increasing threat fromterrorists and others, the MaritimeTrade Operations organisationexists to enhance the safety ofmerchant shipping through closeco-operation between the militaryand the shipping industry.

ON BOARDName: Geraint Prisk Age: 22 Civilian job: Full-time mechanical engineering student RNR post: Able Seaman.

What does the job involve?It’s a bit like air traffic control butwith ships instead. In many ways,the role of Maritime TradeOperations is to guide ships andkeep them out of areas which aremined. I feel to a certain degree itis saving human lives.

I’ve been doing it for two years. I spend a lot of my time oncomputers but when I was trainedin my role I spent two weeks atsea. I am very proud that I waspart of the group of RNRs whowere aboard HMS Invincible on her last trip before she wasdecommissioned.


Choose your route

MEDIAOPERATIONS

Officers onlyExperience/requirements: Ex-Royal Navy or transfers fromother Royal Navy Reservesbranches if you have skills in the appropriate areas, such as PR, media or journalism.

Media Operations has two mainfunctions: to train the Royal Navyto deal with the media, and toprovide guidance and support tothe Royal Navy in situations wherethe media are involved. You willneed a high degree of flexibilityand should be comfortable withbriefing and advising SeniorOfficers. You will need to be ableto think on your feet anddemonstrate versatilecommunication skills.

ON BOARDName: Rolf WilliamsCivilian job: Masters student in science communicationRNR post: Media OperationsOfficer

What does your roleinvolve?The Media Operationsspecialisation is all aboutcommunicating openly andhonestly with the public aboutwhat’s happening, and what’sgreat about my role is that I’mable to be part of every element of the Royal Navy; all the differentbranches.

What have you donerecently?I’ve been to Sicily on a NATOoperation to record a video; I’vetaken a BBC cameraman out toKuwait to join HMS St Albans todo a story about what it’s like tobe married to someone in theRoyal Navy; and I have also beeninvolved in training for theevacuation of ex-pats, usingpretend journalists to show RoyalNavy personnel how to act in thisenvironment and promote theright message.

NAVIGATION


Allied Worldwide NavigationalSystem (AWNIS) is all about safepassage at sea. It exists to ensurethat in times of crisis or tension,vital information aboutnavigational hazards – eithernatural, such as rocks or icebergs,or man-made, such as mines orwrecks – is accuratelycommunicated to the maritimecommunity in accordance withinternational law, but withoutcompromising sensitive militaryinformation.

You will be based mainly on shore,working with charts and listeningin to radio transmissions, on thecomputer, and using theinformation you have gathered toupdate navigational routes andalert other ships to hazards.

ON BOARDName: Nick Naisbitt Age: 35Civilian job: Software Engineer, CamelotRNR post: Junior Rating

What qualities do youneed to do this role?First and foremost you need theability to listen, teamwork,organisation skills and being ableto process things in the right order.

What’s good about this role?As a hobby I’ve done some sailing,so feel I’m combining an interestwith being able to make a valuablecontribution to my branch in seacharting and navigation. I feel myparticular role is very valid, becauseyou’re looking out for othermembers of the forces; you’regoing out and protecting things.



DEFENCEINTELLIGENCE

Officers onlyExperience/requirements: Broad naval or other militaryexperience (Regular or Reserveforces), particularly those withspecialist technical, geographical or cultural knowledge or withprevious experience within theintelligence community.

Defence Intelligence Officerscollate and analyse sensitiveinformation from a number ofsources to compile highly classifiedreports and briefings that willadvise and inform military andpolitical decision makers. They willcontinue this process throughoutthe operation to ensure that thoseserving on operations are kept upto date.

All Officers in this branch aremanaged by the staff of HMSFerret (see page 24).

HUMANINTELLIGENCE

Officers and Senior Ratings onlyExperience/requirements: Youwill need proven fluency (diploma,degree or near-native speakerstandard) in one of the corelanguages (Arabic, Farsi/Dari,Pashtu, Serbo-Croat, French andSpanish), but other languages areconsidered. We can take DirectEntry with relevant qualifications.

You will work as an interpreter ordebriefer in the UK or abroad andwill receive specialist intelligencetraining to work on currentoperations.

All Officers in this branch aremanaged by the staff of HMSFerret (see page 24).

Intelligence


Choose your route

Communications

This specialisation is referred to ascommand, control, computers,communications, intelligence,surveillance and reconnaissance(C4ISR). It is split into thefollowing five sub-specialistions.

COMMUNICATIONINFORMATIONSYSTEMS

Officers and RatingsExperience/requirements:To be an Officer, you will need to be ex-Royal Navy or ex-Service andhave achieved relevant skill sets in civilian employment.

As a Rating, you will be trained inmilitary communications systemsand procedures, on ships at seaand at command headquartersashore. This is a challenging andrewarding career in the vital rolesassociated with communicationsand information systems. You willbe using the latest communicationtechnologies to convey battlespaceinformation from the front line to command.

As a Communications andInformation Systems Officer, you will be placed at the heart of high-tech systems used incommunicating across land, seaand air, monitoring and reportingon system performance inexchanging mission-criticalinformation. You will gainknowledge and extensiveexperience of militarycommunication systems ashore and afloat.

INFORMATIONOPERATIONS

Officers onlyExperience/requirements: Nospecific experience/qualificationsrequired, though likely to have acommunications background.

Information operations are militaryactions that are designed to shapeperceptions and influence the will,capability and understanding of atarget audience in support of thecommander’s campaign plan. Thismay involve reassuring a civilianpopulation, disrupting a supplychain, deterring aggression,destroying a key military target,defeating an adversary orpersuading them to surrender.

This relies on thorough intelligenceand robust, secure and reliablecommunications. You will workwith personnel in ElectronicWarfare, Psychological Operations,Operational Security, OperationalDeception, Media Operations, CivilMilitary Co-operation and PhysicalDestruction.

Reservists with a civilianbackground in advertising, salesand marketing or PR are ideallysuited to this specialisation butanybody with the right motivationcan join.

OPERATIONALINTELLIGENCE

Officers onlyExperience/requirements: Nospecific experience/qualificationsrequired.

Successful military operations arefounded on effective intelligence.The role of Operational Intelligenceis to provide the operationalcommander with the fullestpossible understanding of theadversary and the operationalenvironment, in order that theirstaff can plan and conductoperations successfully.

Your role will involve producingassessments of adversarycapabilities and intentions, in order to gain insight into how toexploit vulnerabilities and counteradversary actions.

COMMUNICATIONSTECHNICIANS

Senior Ratings onlyExperience/requirements:Ex-Royal Navy Signal Intelligencepersonnel or ex-Service with similar experience only.

Your role involves intercepting and analysing signals fromcommunications around the world,using a range of sophisticatedrecording, receiving and analysisequipment.

COMMUNICATIONS(SUBMARINE)

Ratings onlyExperience/requirements: Nospecific experience/qualificationsrequired.

You will be part of a team of specialists in submarinecommunications employed in both shore headquarters and inSubmarine Advisory Teams at sea. You will work closely withSubmarine Officers to provideessential safety, tasking andintelligence communications to deployed submarines.



Air Branch

Officers and RatingsExperience/requirements:Suitably qualified ex-RoyalNavy/ex-Service only.

The Royal Navy Reserves AirBranch covers all branches andtrades of the Fleet Air Arm: Pilots,Observers, aircrewmen, groundcrew, Aircraft Controllers, FighterControllers, Air Traffic Controllers,met forecasters and meteorologicalforecasters and observers, MobileAir Operations Teams, engineeringand technical personnel, firecrewsand flight deck crews. You will beworking with the Royal Navy’s airforce, which could involvetransporting troops, combat, orassisting in a medical evacuation.

Officers and Ratings:Rank on entry will be dependenton qualifications and experience,as assessed by the MedicalDirector-General (Royal Navy).Experience/requirements:You will need to have a medicalbackground, as outlined below.

The Royal Navy Reserves MedicalBranch recruits qualified medicalpractitioners – especially surgeonsand anaesthetists – and adult-qualified first-level nursesregistered on Parts 1 (RN1/RNA) of the Nursing and MidwiferyCouncil (NMC) Register who makeup Queen Alexandra’s Royal NavalNursing Service (Reserves)(QARNNS(R)).

MedicalBranch

REGISTEREDNURSES (AGE 21–40)

Officers and RatingsExperience/requirements:As outlined below.

You will have the opportunity to work in challenging situations,making a vital contribution to the health and fitness of navalpersonnel.

Entry is via normal Rating entry. A suitably qualified registerednurse may be considered forpromotion to commissioned rankafter foundation training, subjectto successful completion of theAdmiralty Interview Board, and a vacancy in the relevantspecialisation.

All registered nurses who pass the Admiralty Interview Board willundertake Fleet Board in line withthe rest of the Royal NavyReserves. Ex-Regular QARNNSOfficers may be able to transfer toQARNNS(R) up to the age of 45.

CHAPLAINS

Officer statusMale or female, but rankless.Experience/requirements:You will already be a priest or minister.

Royal Navy Reserves Chaplains arean integral part of the Royal NavalChaplaincy Service (RNCS) – trainedto deploy, both at sea and ashore,in support of their full-timecolleagues in the Royal Navy. Youwill provide effective spiritual andpastoral care to the Fleet duringpeace and war, and may also offer spiritual and pastoral care to the men and women of the Royal Navy Reserves Unit to which you are attached.

QARNNS(R) has opportunities for a small number of Nursing Officersas well as a larger cadre of NavalNurse Ratings, including thosewith experience or specialistqualifications in intensive care,accident and emergency,orthopaedics and surgery. Therewill be a few openings for MedicalTechnicians.

As part of the Medical Branch, youwill be trained to man ships thatreceive casualties in a crisis or warsituation, as well as formingsurgical support teams. You willhave a crucial role in providingmedical care in demandingsituations.

ON BOARDName: Eileen MunsonAge: 44 Civilian job: Senior nurse lecturer,University of Glamorgan and nursepractitioner at Pen-Y-Graig,RhonddaRNR post: Head of Department, Medical Branch

How does being aReservist impact on yourcivilian job?Being a Reservist keeps me up todate on acute skills, which I don’tget in a primary care role. It’s giveand take in different ways. I get abroader experience through theRNR and the opportunity to mixwith a whole range of people fromdifferent medical backgrounds.

What are the biggestbenefits of being aReservist?Learning new skills; confidencebuilding; professional development;networking; and the extra payhelps with the annual holiday!


In action

The Reserves is a force that is‘ready for use’ and it is fairly likelythat you will be mobilised at leastonce during your time as aReservist, but only after you havebeen fully trained, which meanscompleting foundation and branchtraining. This is referred to as‘trained strength’ and could takeanything from 18 months to threeyears. You will never be mobilisedunless you have had all thenecessary training.

Actively involvedThe earthquake in the Caribbeanand the Asian tsunami are just twoof the humanitarian disasters thatRoyal Navy Reservists have helpedwith in recent years. Reservistshave also been deployed to helpprevent smuggling, illegal tradeand terrorism, and have seenactive service in the Gulf region,the Balkans, Afghanistan andSierra Leone.

As a Reservist you play a very importantrole in the defence and protection ofthe country.

Eileen Munson Head ofDepartment,Medical Branch

What is your keyachievement sincebecoming a Reservist?Going to war and still feeling aspositive, if not more so, aboutbeing a Reservist.

What was your experience? I was called up to Iraq to work at a hospital, but when I got there I was told that I had to go to thefront line in Alamara, living withthe soldiers! It was a really raw,rich experience. I felt I could makea difference and I was there for a reason. It was a cross betweenprimary care and A&E andcounselling. There were Regularsand Reservists out there and it washard to tell the difference betweenthe two. We did get mortared andI should have been scared, but I had an optimist’s attitude and it allowed me to get on with thejob and focus. I knew it was onlygoing to be for a short time and I would be going back to mycivilian job. It was such an amazing experience, with suchgreat camaraderie and banterbetween the forces.

In action

Did you know?Since 2003, the Royal NavyReserves has deployed 384people on operations around the globe alongsidetheir full-time colleagues.



Make thecommitment

‘We are quite happy to give all Reservists two weeks’ paid leave on top of their annual holiday entitlement. This is because we can see that the training they receive benefits them in their careers at BT.’ Martin Roberts, Group Security Director, BT

You may well end up wanting todo more than just 24 days, whichcan be negotiated. And as long as you complete this minimumrequirement, you will receive yourtax-free bounty, which currentlyranges from £382 in your first year up to £1,506 after five years.

Supporting Britain’sReservists and employers(SaBRE)SaBRE is an organisation thatprovides information to employersabout the benefits of employingReservists, and provides support for employers and Reservists byoffering information about theirrights and commitments.

SaBRE’s website (sabre.mod.uk) iswell worth visiting, as it gives clearinformation about your rights andresponsibilities, and provides usefulguidance about how to get youremployer on side. You could alsosuggest to your employer that theyvisit this website, as there is awhole section specifically designedfor employers.

Flexible approachThe minimum annual commitmentis just 24 days, of which 12 arerequired to be continuous, andthere is a great deal of flexibilityabout how you make up this time.It can be over weekends, weeknights or training courses, such as the basic training at BritanniaRoyal Naval College, Dartmouth,for Officers or HMS Raleigh,Cornwall, for Ratings.

Although the Royal Navy Reserves is a spare-time occupation, we do requirea certain level of commitment from our Reserves.

‘We are proud to support our Reservists. They perform acrucial role for the nation and, as an employer, we alsobenefit from the skills and experience they gain from working under high pressure and difficult circumstances. They deserve our full support.’ John Street, Managing Director, Streets Printers, Baldock, Hertfordshire


Joining

Take the plunge

‘I am extremely proud to be part of the Armed Forces and I feel that the skills I have learned have greatly contributed to my civilian profession.’ Cassandra Cann, Seaman Rating

The basic requirements British, Irish and Commonwealthcitizens may join the Royal NavyReserves. Certain career paths,however, are only available to UK nationals.

You need to be 16 years old ormore, physically fit and able tomeet the same entry standards as the Royal Navy; for informationabout this, take a look at the Royal Navy website(royalnavy.mod.uk). The normalupper age limit is 40 (45 for ex-Service personnel).

Joining upThe recruitment process for joiningthe Reserves is exactly the same asif you were joining the full-timeRoyal Navy, although we try tocomplete several of the mandatoryprocesses on one day or evening inorder to minimise the time you will

Interest, potential and commitment are more important than anything else and we value every individual’s contribution, irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or social background.



need to take off work, college orfrom any other commitments.

If you want to be a RatingThe selection process takes placeat your local Armed Forces Careers Office. You will fill in a questionnaire and be given a test covering reasoning, English language, numeracy and mechanical comprehension.You will also be given the dates for a recruiting evening at yourlocal Royal Navy Reserve Unit.

At a later date, you will have aninterview with a Careers Adviser.We will give you a medicalexamination and optician eye test,before assessing your fitness. All successful candidates mustcomplete a security questionnaire.

If you want to be an OfficerWhen you contact us about acareer as an Officer in the RoyalNavy Reserves, we will arrange ameeting between you and one ofour Area Careers Liaison Officers.Your Careers Liaison Officer willhelp you find out more about theRoyal Navy Reserves and the jobsthat could be right for you. Theywill also help you apply to theAdmiralty Interview Board, andhelp you prepare so you can

succeed there. During this process,you will also be invited to visit yourlocal Royal Navy Reserves Unit.

Admiralty Interview Board All prospective Royal Navy Officersattend the two-day AdmiraltyInterview Board at HMS Sultan inHampshire, so we can find out ifyou have got what it takes.

Over the two days, we will testyou mentally and physically. You will sit a maths test, spatialorientation tests and tests forspeed and accuracy. We willexamine how much you knowabout the Royal Navy and you will have to write an essay to show us how well you cancommunicate in writing.

As well as a fitness assessment,you will do leadership tests in thegym, where you will have to workwith a team to solve practicalproblems. And you will do atheoretical problem-solvingexercise in the classroom too.

Did you know?If you change your mind, you can leave at any time.


Joining

Your local Unit

HMS CalliopeNewcastleSouth Shore RoadGatesheadNE8 2BETel: 0191 477 2536E-mail: [email protected]: Mon/Thur 1910–2110

HMS CambriaCardiffHayes LaneSullySouth GlamorganCF64 5XUTel: 01446 421600E-mail:[email protected]: Wed 1930–2130

HMS CarolineBelfastAlexandra DockQueen’s IslandBelfastBT3 9DUTel: 02890 739880E-mail: [email protected]: Thur 1930–2130

HMS DalriadaGlasgowNavy BuildingsEldon StreetGreenockInverclydePA16 7SLTel: 01475 732251E-mail: [email protected]: Wed 1930–2130

HMS EagletLiverpoolNaval Regional Headquarters80 Sefton StreetLiverpoolL3 4DZTel: 0151 707 3344E-mail: [email protected]: Wed 1930–2130

HMS FerretBedfordBLG 600DISC, DHUChicksandsSheffordBedfordshireSG17 5PRTel: 01462 752392E-mail:[email protected]: Specialist Unit, only trains at weekends

HMS Flying FoxBristolWinterstoke RoadBristolBS3 2NSTel: 0117 966 8667 ext 2128E-mail: [email protected]: Thur 1930–2130

For most branches, training is conducted in oneof the many units spread across the UK.Some training may take place in naval trainingestablishments and in HM Ships worldwide.


24 25

HMS ForwardBirmingham42 Tilton RoadBirminghamB9 4PPTel: 0121 506 2200E-mail: [email protected]: Tues 1900–2115

HMS King AlfredPortsmouthFraser BuildingWhale IslandPortsmouthPO2 8ERTel: 023 9254 7453E-mail: [email protected]: Tues 1930–2130

HMS PresidentLondon72 St Katharine’s Way London E1W 1UQ Tel: 020 7480 7219 E-mail: [email protected]: Tues 1900–2100

HMS ScotiaEdinburghHilton RoadRosythKY11 2XHTel: 01383 425559E-mail: [email protected]: Thur 1930–2130

HMS SherwoodNottinghamChalfont DriveNottinghamNG8 3LTTel: 0115 929 6373E-mail: [email protected]: Tues 1930–2130

HMS VividPlymouthBuilding SO40AHM Naval Base DevonportPlymouthPL2 2BGTel: 01752 552676E-mail: [email protected]: Wed 1930–2130

HMS WildfireNorthwood Brackenhill HouseOxhey Drive SouthNorthwoodHA6 3EXTel: 01923 843460E-mail: [email protected]: Wed 1930–2130

Royal Navy Reserves


Joining

If you want more information or advice about joining the Royal Navy Reserves,you can contact us at any time.

All the Units are manned during normal weekly working hours and during theevenings mentioned in the Unit details, so you can call them direct, using thenumbers provided on the previous pages, or you could find out when is a goodtime to visit and go to the Units directly.

The Royal Navy Reserves Units will hold recruitment evenings throughout theyear, so phone up your local Unit to find out when it takes place and comealong and see what it is like for yourself.

Alternatively, you can visit your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office and speakto one of our experienced Careers Advisers (the details will be listed in yourlocal phone directory), visit our website royalnavy.mod.uk/rnror call 08456 07 55 55.

Get in touch

‘The RNR is moving ahead. It’s a professionalorganisation and Reservists are needed; they are dedicated people who work alongside their Royal Navy colleagues providing a valuedcontribution wherever they go.’ Lesley Stephen, Logistics Officer



‘I’ve recently completed my New Entry trainingand took the role of course leader. It was an amazing experience. I found it difficult to do, but loved it. It was a mix of sheer hell and absolute excellence!’ Nick Naisbitt, Junior Rating


Find out more

Contact us:

This publication is for guidance only. The facts in it may be changed without notice and must notbe taken to imply any contract. Details of length of service will be explained in the Armed ForcesCareers Office and will be contained in the contract.L2/RNR

Equal opportunitiesThe Royal Navy is an equal opportunities employer. We seek to provideworkplace conditions that are comfortable and non-threatening for allour people, whatever their gender, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.

Our aim is the total elimination of sexual and racial harassment, andall forms of bullying. These issues need close attention and proactivemanagement. Victims of any form of abuse are encouraged to reporttheir difficulties and can be confident of sensitive treatmentby those responsible for their care.

• Telephone or e-mail your local Unit (see pages 24 and 25 for details) and ask to attend a briefing

• Visit your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office

• Call 08456 07 55 55

• Or go to royalnavy.mod.uk/rnr

A guide to opportunities

Royal Navy Reserves


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