SO1 J5 CAMPAIGNING

Vacancy summary

Royal Navy
2303598
OF-4 - Cdr - Lt Col - Wg Cdr
Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel (RM)

04/10/2026, 23:55 

September 2026
FTRS - Full Commitment
2 YEARS
Royal Navy, Royal Marines
Any
Any
ALDERSHOT
United Kingdom
Guildford

Vacancy detail

Unit Role:

SJC Operations: Protecting the Homeland, Defending Defence.

SJC OPS is a 2* Joint Operational HQ that enables Homeland Defence by coordinating and cohering the security effect required to protect Defence Infrastructure, protect its people, and deliver Defence's contribution to national resilience and preparedness.​

SJC OPS was formed as a 2* BLB in Apr 25 through the merger of HQ SJC(UK) with the 3 Guardian Physical Security Delivery Groups - MDP, MGS and SSG. MPGS will come under OPCOM from 1 Jul 26.

 

3 Main Lines of Effort:

 

  • National resilience and preparedness: SJC OPS is responsible for the planning, preparation, and delivery of Defence support to UK national resilience (MACA and other UK Ops).
  • Security of Defence Critical Infrastructure: SJC OPS is responsible for application of defence security policy to ensure that both DCI and personnel are appropriately protected through the deployment of specialist delivery groups (MDP, MGS, MPGS, SSG).
  • SJC Operation Centre: BAU maintenance of Homeland COP/CIP and MACA C2. On activation, provide the Operational Level HQ for the 3* Homeland Joint Commander refining and executing tasks as required

Position Role:

Reporting to the OF5 DACOS J5, lead SO1 within SJC Operations for delivery of the BLB Campaign function. A new position in a tri-service J5 pillar.

The SO1 is a RN-fill position and is 1RO to Army and RAF SO2s.

Responsibilities:

  • Principal SO1 level focus for co-ordination within SJC Operations of cross cutting Command Plan issues throughout SJC Operations subordinate delivery organisations. 
  • Lead ABC planning, including costed programme construction, drafting submissions into the 3* HQ SJC, options, savings measures.
  • Lead for producing the annual SJC Operations Command Plan. Support the production of subordinate delivery organisation plans and link to HQ SJC Planning. 
  • Lead for SJC Operations performance and risk against SJC Operations SMART objectives, drafting of TLB QPRR submission and managing risk input to SDSM.
  • Deliver the SJC Operations O&D function.
  • Routinely brief to 3* level and deputise for DACOS J5.
  • In Crisis BPT deploy across the UK to provide understanding to SJC Operations HQ.
  • Be prepared to support all other pillars across SJC Operations as required.

Domestic Considerations:

SJC Operations is located in Montgomery House, Aldershot Garrison. Normal working hours apply during BaU with an OOH Duty Roster. This can move to extended evening/weekend working and ultimately 24/7 activation as the Op tempo dictates. WFH is possible by exception, notwithstanding requirements of Op tempo and access to secure CIS.

Routine travel required to conduct specified C2, support, exploitation and training tasks in support of security, resilience and UK Ops at locations across the UK as required.

OF4-5 are required to undertake weeklong OOH Duty periods IAW HQ Duty rota (after first 8 weeks in post). The Senior Duty Officer must always be contactable throughout the tour of duty and must be able to establish MODNet connectivity within 30 mins. If required, they must be able to return to Montgomery House within 3 hours.

Performance Attributes

Priority Component Features

Breadth of perspective 

Thinking strategically.  Demonstrate an awareness of the wider perspective and landscape of the operating environment to inform decision and the potential impact of these.  

Physical and mental resilience 

Mental stamina.  The ability to maintain output and focus on objectives in difficult or challenging conditions, whilst displaying clarity of thought and adaptive coping.  

Adaptability and Initiative 

Effective intelligence.  Demonstrates mental agility to assimilate complex or multiple pieces of information, applying informed judgement to provide a considered output. 

Problem solving and decision making 

Decision Making.  Makes timely decisions authoritatively and with consideration of priorities and impacts at various organisational levels.  

Must be an OF4 of ANY specialisation. OF3 applicants with a positive recommendation in their most recent annual OJAR/SJAR may be considered for the role and the award of Acting Higher Rank (AHR). It is stressed that whilst a single positive recommendation will make you eligible for consideration, your entire OJAR/SJAR dossier will be considered for AHR in line with the principles of BR3(1) Part 8 and approval is not guaranteed.

OF5 applicants, if successful, will only be paid as and wear the rank of OF4.

Must be serving as a member of the Reserve Forces or have served with the Regular Forces.

Essential Competencies


  • DV
  • SJC Operations J1 Arrival Brief.
  • SJC Operations Induction Training.
  • Defence Contribution to Resilience & Security (DCR&S) Level 3 (Delivered on arrival)
  • ACSC - Formal Staff training at OF4 level essential

  • JOPC (Can be attended once in post)

  • DCR&S L3 (Attended once in post)
  • Service/Arm/OGD - A knowledge of RN structures, operations, capability and wider interaction with Defence is essential.
  • Must have the credibility to interact with 2* formation Mil and Civ Sec staff. 

Operational - Recent Firm Base and UK Ops experience useful.

Staff - Previous experience at any rank within a Joint environment is desirable.

Environments - An understanding of the hierarchy of Defence direction is valuable.

Full UK Driving Licence (Cat B).

Applicants will undergo an initial eligibility sift. Successful applicants will have their details forwarded to the Post Sponsor to arrange interviews. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.

Following interviews; the successful applicant will be informed that they are the Preferred Candidate with details being sent to the CM RES FTRS Cell who will continue the recruitment process. Unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.

Once the recruitment process is complete then the Preferred Candidate will be invited to take up FTRS.

The start date is the anticipated one however, applicants should be aware a number of factors will potentially impact on this including the completion of pre-employment checks, medical category confirmation and the award of a Security Clearance. The start date could therefore be adjusted as appropriate – earlier for a fully qualified person with their and the employers agreement, or later if approvals cannot be immediately completed.


INITIAL COMMITMENT LENGTH WILL NORMALLY BE 24 MONTHS WITH THE POTENTIAL TO EXTEND

NB: Where the Anticipated Start date has already passed, the start date will be ASAP

Eligibility for FTRS/ADC

Any member of the Maritime Reserves (RNR, RMR) or the Royal Fleet Reserves (RFR) (Ex-Regular Reserve) may volunteer to undertake a period of FTRS/ADC in accordance with the following:

Maritime Reserves:.

Members of the Maritime Reserves require a Final Date in Service beyond the expected period of the commitment they are applying for. Applicants who do not have sufficient service remaining are to submit an application for EOS with transfer to List-4 status prior to applying for the role, iaw CMR TM 35/24.  FTRS applications received from SP whose MR Tx date is not beyond the expected period of the job opportunity and who do not have a concurrent EOS with transfer to List 4 application in progress will be rejected during the initial sift process.

Applications for EOS with transfer to List 4 status will not be accepted within 8 weeks of the applicant’s current Final Date in Service.

RFR (Ex-Regulars):

Ex-Regular personnel whose RFR liability has run out will be re-instated in the RFR to take up FTRS/ADC.

Applicants undertaking a period of FTRS/ADC must be suitably qualified by rank/rate, specialisation, qualifications and experience to fill the posts for which they apply.

Applications will be accepted from reservists who hold a rank/rate one or more above the advertised rank/rate or hold a rank/rate one below the advertised rank/rate.  

  • Applicants one rate below may be interviewed at the discretion of the FTRS Cell/Line Manager and may be employed in the acting higher rate (excluding the advertised rate of WO2 or WO1) if they are suitable, qualified, meet current promotion regulations in all respects and are selected to do so. Otherwise, may be given the opportunity to carry out the role in their substantive rank/rate; the payment of Substitution Pay (SUPA) may be considered by the employer.
  • Applicants of a higher rank/rate prepared to serve in a position at a lower rank/rate than their current or former substantive rank will wear uniform, and be paid, at the Upper Rank/Rate’ level appropriate to that of the position on JPA. Exceptions will not normally be considered.

Ex-Regular Reserves of an equivalent rank from the Army or Royal Air Force are required to join the Maritime Reserves (RNR/RMR) before being eligible to apply.

Applications from those above normal FTRS/ADC retirement age (67) will be considered by exception.

Medical/Dental

 

Applicants must also be medically fit, and meet the minimum medical category required for the level of commitment, to fulfil the duties which their Commitment will require them to undertake. Minimum medical categories are contained in BR3(2) 1107.

 

  • A medical form to confirm MedCat and suitability to be employed is required to be returned within 2 weeks of commencing the role, or the commitment may be revoked.

 

Personnel who have been discharged via the RN Medical Board of Survey (MOBS) or the RN Medical Employability Board (MEB) with a JMES contained either L6 or M6, do not have a RFR liability and are therefore unable to be considered for any FTRS/ADC/VERR role. Those discharged with a lower JMES will be considered on a case by case basis.

 

Only personnel on FTRS(FC) commitments will be entitled to the full range of Service Medical and Dental support. Those on lower levels will be entitled to emergency medical support whilst on duty.

Pension Issues. 

Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Reserves/Re-employment Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking FTRS service has on their pension, EDP, Resettlement Grant or Terminal Benefits.

Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant. Other organisations such as the Armed Forces Pension Society or the White Ensign Association may also be able to offer advice, but it is stressed that only DBS can provide an authoritative answer.

Transition between TCoS. 

Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Naval Core Training (NCT), Individual Training Requirement (IRT) and Defence Mandated Training (DMT)

 Personnel on FTRS commitments are required to maintain currency in NCT, IRT and MDT in alignment with the rest of the RN/RM. The successful applicant will be expected to complete all modules and have them recorded on JPA within 2 months of commencing employment. This is an employer’s responsibility to monitor. 

    • RNFT/PES

    Personnel on FTRS Limited/Home/ADC/VERRs commitments are exempt the RNFT/PES, unless they are a member of the RNR/RMR who should remain in date.

     Annual Salary and Leave. 

    Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the Armed Forces annually, and as governed by JSP 754.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760. Note, you are not able to carry forward leave from a Regular commission/engagement when commencing an FTRS Commitment or from one FTRS Commitment role to another FTRS Commitment role.

    Pay

    As this is a CAPPS position, the selected applicant will be paid from the Main Officers Pay Spine and not any Specialist Pay Spine such as Aviator, Medical/Dental or SF. This applies to both RFR and PTVR applicants.


    Allowances.

    Entitlement to allowances is in accordance with JSP 752 however the following should be noted:

    Get you Home (Travel)                  Only paid to qualifying personnel on FTRS(FC)

    Home Duty Travel                          Only paid to qualifying personnel on FTRS(FC), and those on FTRS(LC), (HC) and ADC are eligible to HDT if they are assigned to Inner London (defined as a five mile radius of Charing Cross). 

    Accommodation.

    Personnel serving on FTRS(FC) TCoS are entitled to Single Living Accommodation (SLA) and Service Families Accommodation (SFA) as per Regular entitlements. 

    Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy surplus Single Living Accommodation (SLA), at entitled rates.

    Personnel serving on VeRR TCoS are not entitled to service accommodation.

    Applications for this job are to be submitted via SERVE please click the APPLY button below.