Ways you can SERVE*

There are lots of ways to support Defence as a reservist. Your options depend on your skills, experience, and the time you can give. Below, you will find the main types of commitments explained in simple terms, whether you have served before or are completely new.

Full Time Reserve Service

Full Time Reserve Service gives you the chance to serve full-time for a fixed period (usually 1–5 years) alongside Regular personnel. There are three types of FTRS commitments: Full Commitment, Home Commitment and Limited Commitment.

Am I eligible?

Any Reservist or ex-Regular with the relevant skills and experience required for the role is eligible for Full Time Reserve Service

Full Commitment

Work full time, almost on par with Regular Service but with a small number of differences

What do I get?

As a Full Time Reserve Service Full Commitment, you will fulfil a similar range of duties as a Regular Service person, normally in one location and with a minimum compulsory detachment of 36 days.

You will receive a full-time salary for your rank and experience with full x-factor (14.5%) and a paid leave allocation of 38 days per year. You have full entitlement to military accommodation and medical/dental care.

If you have served before and have a military pension, some of this may be abated (reduced) so that your total income when you take up the role (i.e. pension plus salary) does not exceed your last Regular salary plus inflation.

If you received Early Departure Payments as part of one of the Armed Forces Pension Schemes, Treasury rules require that these stop and, depending on how long you have been out of service, all or some of the Early Departure Payments lump sum may have to be repaid.

Limited Commitment

Work full time as a Reservist with a restricted level of disruption, which may include nights away from your normal place of work for a number of weeks.

What do I get?

For Full Time Reserve Service Limited Commitment, you undertake a full range of duties but are only liable for compulsory detachment from your normal place of work in support of your role, normally limited to 35 days in the UK or overseas in any one year with no single detachment being more than 21 days in one stretch. You may, however, voluntarily exceed these limits.

You will receive a full-time salary for your rank and experience, with 5% x-factor, and a paid leave allocation of 38 days per year. You have no entitlement to military accommodation or medical/dental care. If there is spare accommodation, you may be able to apply to use it, paying appropriate charges.

If you have served before and have a military pension, some of this may be abated (reduced) so that your total income at the start of the commitment of abated pension plus Full Time Reserve Service Limited Commitment salary does not exceed your last Regular salary plus inflation.

Home Commitment

Use your military skills and experience to work on a formal full-time basis for a specified period, with the number of nights spent away from your place of work normally limited to training and other duties specified in your Full Time Reserve Service Commitment

What do I get?

As a Full Time Reserve Service Home Commitment again you undertake a full range of duties but with no liability for compulsory detachment from your normal place of work (for instance, overnight stays) however you may be required to stay overnight for training and other duties specified in your FTRS Commitment.

You will receive a full-time salary, but no X-factor since you will not be liable for the disruptions of Regular service life, and a paid leave allocation of 38 days per year.

You have no entitlement to military accommodation or medical/dental care. If there is spare accommodation, you may be able to apply to use it, paying appropriate charges.

Additional Duties Commitment

Use your military skills and experience to work on a formal part-time commitment for a specified period.

Am I eligible?

Any Reservist or ex-Regular with the relevant skills and experience required for the role is eligible.

What do I get?

Additional Duties Commitment enables Reservists to undertake military duties on a part-time basis (i.e. less than full time and compatible with any civilian part-time job you may have). It is a formal arrangement where you commit to serve for a specified number of days or part days, agreed in advance with your employing unit, up to a maximum of 180 days, including leave, in any 12-month period. Your annual leave allocation is based on the number of days that you work.

Pay is at a daily rate, plus 5% X-factor. Whilst there is no allowance package, if there is spare accommodation, you may be able to use it, paying appropriate charges.

Possible impact on pension and Early Departure Payments

Voluntary ex-Regular Reserve

Use your military skills and experience to deliver Defence outputs on a part-time, non-binding commitment.

Am I eligible?

Any ex-Regular or Reservist with the skills and experience required of the post is eligible to join.

What do I get?

VeRR service is a period of service undertaken by ex-Regular (and sometimes Reservist personnel) with relevant skills and experience to meet requirements to deliver projects and other outputs.

The number of days you can work on this commitment may be limited and is dependent upon the requirement of your Service.

VeRR commitments are non-binding voluntary appointments similar to Part Time Volunteer Reserve engagements but focussed more on delivering output rather than undertaking training for operations.

You will receive attendance-based pay, pay in lieu of annual leave, and travel expenses to and from duty. Because this is a non-binding commitment, VeRR service has no impact on your pension benefits or any Special Capital payments you may have received for your former Regular Service.

Part Time Volunteer Reserve

Take on a structured, part time role for a fixed term (usually 12 to 36 months) under Voluntary Training or Other Duties rules. You will deliver specific outputs on agreed Reserve Service Days.

Am I eligible?

You must be a trained member of the Part Time Volunteer Reserve who meets the requirements of the role.

What to expect:

A clear role with defined duties and Reserve Service Days agreed in advance.

Zig Zag Careers Pathway - Lateral Entry, Skills Based Recruitment

Join Defence in a skills-based specialist role using your civilian skills.

Am I eligible?

The Zig Zag Careers Pathway is for Experienced Professionals who want to bring their expertise into Defence, without going through the traditional entry routes.

Types of ZZCP roles

Full Mobility. Fill a Regular post, be fully trained and be fully deployable. (Equivalent to Full Commitment)
Limited Mobility. Full-time duties with up to 35 days of compulsory detached service, which could be in the UK or overseas. (Equivalent to Limited Commitment)
No Mobility. Full-time duties at one location, with no compulsory detached service beyond training. (Equivalent to Home Commitment).

What do I get?

A role that matches your existing qualifications and experience.
Tailored military training and support to help you integrate.
A direct path into positions where your skills and experience are valued and have an immediate impact in a rank commensurate with your experience.

Want to know more? Please visit Discover my benefits.

*This guidance is indicative only. For authoritative policy guidance, and before entering a commitment, you are strongly advised to consult the principal Joint Service Publications and Single Service Regulations.