What could you do as a Reservist?

If you have civilian qualifications and experience, you could start in a role that suits your skills. If you don't have any specialist experience, you’ll begin your Reservist journey in the General Warfare branch, where you’ll be at the heart of every operation.

Your role could include:

  • Serving on Royal Naval warships in foreign waters
  • Giving vital logistical support to crews of ships
  • Sending detailed signal information to submarines
  • Supplying safety information to merchant ships

Reservists, like regular personnel, can join as officers or ratings, depending on qualifications. You could be taking the lead on some vital operations, or providing the extra manpower we need all over the world.

Becoming a Reservist

If you have specialist qualifications or experience in Medical, Cyber or Chaplaincy roles, you can apply for a specific role that harnesses your expertise and knowledge. Otherwise, you’ll join as an officer or a rating in the General Warfare branch, or Engineering branch if you have an appropriate engineering background. Take a look at what each role involves.

Rating

Push your boundaries and learn things you never imagined. You don’t need any military experience to become a rating in the Royal Naval Reserve. Once you’ve joined, we’ll teach you all you need to know, from working in a buzzing Ops Room to analysing data for your commanding officer.

The work you'll do includes:

  • Working on the Bridge and operating the ship's boats
  • Seamanship evolutions – this could be anything from watchkeeping to operating deck equipment
  • Securing and protecting your ship when it’s in harbour

Officer

Be part of the Royal Navy’s management team, leading the teams that make a difference every day on global operations. You’ll get to use the skills and qualifications you already have, while gaining new ones. 

The work you'll do includes:

  • Acting as tactical fisheries officers
  • Boarding ships when required
  • Supporting your ships' command, both in port and at sea

Shape your Reservist career

After five years, you’ll be able to specialise in an area that suits you, whether you feel at home at sea in the Ops Room, or at shore in a supporting role.

Sea Res

  • Discover expert seamanship, from maritime tactics to navigation.
  • Be part of an elite team that undertakes global operations.
  • Become a valuable member of your crew.

Submarine Operations

  • Join one of our most elite teams on top secret operations.
  • Spend time on state-of-the-art nuclear submarines.

Maritime Trade Operations

  • Help to safeguard our nation’s prosperity.
  • Travel the world protecting our nation’s interests.
  • Take part in everything from counter narcotics to anti-piracy ops.

Amphibious Warfare

  • Join Royal Marines Commandos on operations that make a real difference.
  • Learn the art of amphibious combat, from landing in hostile territory to reaching remote bays unnoticed.
  • Become an adaptable member of one of our most elite teams.

Mine Warfare

  • Become an expert in mine warfare operations both in the UK and overseas.
  • Provide integrated support to ongoing operations and exercises.
  • Take responsibility for your crewmates and keep them safe.

Logistics

  • Train to become an integrated part of the logistical supply chain in front line support to Royal Navy warships on operations and exercises in the UK or overseas.
  • Gain transferable skills in supply chain management, leadership and operations.

Intelligence

  • Inform our operations and play a vital role in protecting our nation’s interests.
  • Use the latest technology to help us meet our objectives.
  • Become a dependable member of our team.

Media operations

  • Help us communicate with personnel, their families and members of the press.
  • Take a central role in spreading the Royal Navy message.
  • Help craft everything from press releases to landing pages on our digital channels.

Diving

  • Support in the Royal Navy's Fleet Diving Squadron missions
  • Aid harbour searches in strategic ports 
  • Take part in Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance and Disposal operations

Information Operations

  • Be part of a dynamic and challenging new front
  • Perform mission-critical analysis, planning and targeting, with cutting-edge tools and techniques
  • Operate at the very heart of military decision making

Joining the Royal Naval Reserve as an ex-regular?

We know that as a former Royal Navy regular, you have a wealth of skills and experience. And we still have a real need for that expertise, which is why there’s never been a better time for ex-regulars to serve with the Royal Naval Reserve. If you’ve been out of the Royal Navy for less than two years, you can join through the Firefly Scheme, which allows a fast-track process from regular to reserve service.

FIND OUT MORE

Have you got the skills we need?

If you already have a degree in certain specialist fields, you could go straight into a specific role or ‘specialisation’. Take a look at the options available, from cyber to medical, and see how your skills could make a real difference.

Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy in the Royal Naval Service is a long way removed from civilian life. For a start you’ll have the opportunity to travel the world providing support to around 30,000 highly trained individuals. The unique challenges faced by them and their families make your job all the more vital.





Medical

The Medical branch is medicine’s frontline. You’ll push yourself further, providing specialist care in NHS hospitals, at sea, or in a field hospital. This is your opportunity to care for the people who protect our nation’s interests, being deployed to where you’re needed most and using your existing skills.





Cyber

From WikiLeaks to the Panama Papers, the landscape of modern warfare has changed dramatically. Cyber security is a ground-breaking area at the vanguard of our nation’s defence. Serving in the Reserve Cyber Unit makes you part of one of the most advanced areas of the Royal Navy.

Decided you want to join?

Learn more about the different ways you can become a reservist and submit an application.

FIND YOUR ROLE

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