General Entry Rating Reserve United Kingdom
Job description
At a glance
Pension
Membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Lead
A team on global operations
Paid Leave
Proportionate to attendance
Travel
All around the world
Tax-Free
Annual bounty for training commitment
14.5%
Extra pay if you’re mobilised
What you’ll do
As a General Entry Rating in the Royal Navy Reserve (RNR), you’ll be taking a step out of your comfort zone. A step that will start an adventure. You don’t even need any previous Naval experience, just the commitment to complete your basic training alongside your day job. If you can do that, you’ll open up the extraordinary. Travelling the world, doing things you never thought you’d do, and seeing things you never thought you’d see.IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, TALK TO US
CALL US 0345 600 3222
Your role
Basic training in the Royal Navy Reserve is delivered in modules, and can easily be completed in 12 months if you attend training weekends and weekday evening sessions.
After you’ve completed your basic military training, you can select a specialism and join an active unit. You might choose to become a Diver, supporting the Fleet Diving Squadron, or an Engineer Reservist who gets hands-on with our state-of-the-art equipment.
When you’re mobilised for deployment, you’ll join regular ranks in protecting our nation’s interests all over the world. That might mean working on humanitarian aid operations in the Philippines, or providing logistical support in a conflict zone in the Middle East.
Learn management and leadership techniques in an environment that’s far removed from any office, and excel in a career that runs alongside your day job.
What you’ll get
Skills for life
Progressive leadership and management training courses are embedded in your career path
You will have the opportunity to take a range of vocational courses, depending on your specialism
Skills you’ll develop
Determination, discipline, and confidence which will transfer into your civilian life
Responsibility, time management and personal organisation skills
Pay and benefits
Extra pay and allowances if you’re mobilised
Annual tax-free bounty subject to meeting the minimum training commitment
Paid leave in proportion to the number of training days attended
Membership of the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme
Expenses and allowances when training
Access to the Royal Navy’s superb sports and fitness facilities
What you'll need
Eligibility
You must be aged 16 to 42 when you start training
No qualifications are required for this role
You must be a British or Irish national, a Commonwealth citizen, or a Dual National
A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
Pass the Naval Swimming Test
Skills and interests
Problem solvers with a keen eye for detail
Team players
A willingness to help shipmates
A high level of physical and mental fitness
An interest in spending time at sea
Starting your career
Joining process
Initial training
Professional training
Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the joining process is as follows:
Submit an application
Your first step is to fill in an online application form. If you have any questions beforehand, you can phone us on 0345 600 3222
Presentation
You will be invited to attend an Initial Maritime Reserves Presentation (IMRP) at your nearest Unit. This is your chance to have a look around, meet the team, ask any questions and find out about life in the Reserves
Defence Aptitude Assessment (DAA) and interview
You will be invited to your nearest Armed Forces Career Office (AFCO) for an interview, where we will check your eligibility and outline the joining process. See more advice here. You will then sit the DAA, which assesses: Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Work Rate, Spatial Reasoning, Electrical Comprehension and Mechanical Comprehension.
To prepare, you can practise the DAA.
You will also be invited to have an interview with the medical recruiting team
Join your local Unit
You will then be invited to join your Unit for Attestation. This involves swearing allegiance to Her Majesty The Queen and signing the Official Secrets Act. At this point you’ll be a Phase 0 recruit, and will attend weekly drill nights, however you won’t be able to start formal training until you pass your medical and fitness test
Medical and fitness test
The medical tests are carried out by your nearest Ministry of Defence approved doctor, but eye tests can be completed at selected high street centres. The Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) requires you to complete a 2.4km run on a treadmill at a local approved fitness centre. Check out this booklet for tips on how to prepare
Phase 1 training
You’ll now be a signed-up member of the Royal Naval Reserve as a Phase 1 recruit. At this stage you’ll be given your Royal Navy identification card and uniform, and be able to conduct formal basic training
Training
During your Phase 1 training you will learn about life in the Royal Navy. This takes place on weekly drill nights. You’ll also spend two weekends learning about life in the military and what it is like at sea
Confirmation course
This two-week course is held at HMS Raleigh or Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC). Once you’ve completed this you will go on to specialise in your chosen discipline
