Review recommends future for Reserves

The review was launched in April 2008 to reflect the changing demands faced by our reservists in recent years.

As well as preparing to defend the country in the event of a major conflict, reservists are now required to work as an integral part of the UK's military force on operations and many have deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq with 2,000 (8 per cent of current forces deployed) currently serving in these theatres in roles varying from fighting on the front line to medical support.

The review, which has been the first ever focused specifically on UK Reserves, produced seven central findings, including improving training, creating clearer command structures and increasing the use of individual reservists' skills. These seven recommendations break down into 80 more detailed recommendations.

The Government has accepted all seven of the recommendations, around half of which are being implemented immediately with work underway to address the others.

In a statement to the Houses of Parliament, Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said:

"Our Reserve Forces have served this country with distinction in all the major conflicts and crises that we have faced in recent times, including current operations, with 18,000 deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.

"The roles and demands faced by our reservists have changed considerably over the years, and their structures, training and organisation need to be updated to reflect this.

"This comprehensive Reserves Review provides a crucial blueprint for the future of Reserve Forces and recognises the vital contribution they have made and will continue to make."

Since 2003, 15 reservists have been killed in operational theatres. Mr Ainsworth said:

"When I visit operational theatres I never fail to be impressed by men and women of our Reserve Forces who give up their time to serve their country."

Mr Ainsworth, continuing his statement to the House, said:

"The review has redefined the purpose of the UK's Reserves and notes that they provide defence with a cost effective way of retaining specialised skills which are invaluable to current operations. The review also acknowledges that reservists remain vital for supporting national resilience and it recognises the very important role that they play in connecting the Armed Forces with the nation."

Providing greater clarity to reservists about what is expected of them and what they can expect in return forms another key point of the review, which for the first time sets out a proposition of what the Reserve Service offers volunteers and clearly states the rewards, benefits and training opportunities available.

It has also set out to strengthen the assistance provided to employers who support reservists through deployments and training, and to accommodate the demands of reservist commitment.

The seven recommendations of the review are:

1. In future the Reserve is likely to be needed for augmentation as much as for maximum effort, and be used more effectively to connect with the nation.

2. Defence should consider how best to adjust the balance of liability, roles and readiness within and between the Reserve and Regular Forces. Defence should also establish a mechanism to maximise delivery of niche capabilities across the Reserve.

3. Training is pivotal to the proposition. The delivery of training should be overhauled to make it more relevant, consistent and correctly resourced.

4. Command and control, principally in the Territorial Army, should be clearer to deliver the necessary purpose, greater flexibility of use, and better integration.

5. The volunteer estate should be modernised and (strategically) rationalised to improve its strategic management and design its 21st century footprint.

6. Defence should accept the proposition for the Reserve and acknowledge its current fragility in certain areas.

7. Defence should review Terms and Conditions of Service, removing complexity and administrative barriers between the Reserve and Regulars.

Mr Ainsworth said to the House:

"Reservist training will be refocused with a greater emphasis on preparation to support current operations. Initial training will be restructured so that new recruits receive sufficient military skills to participate in their units' collective training within six months of joining, and are fully trained and eligible for mobilisation within three years. Routine training will also be reviewed and sufficient training days allocated to ensure annual military competency standards can be achieved by all.

"The Territorial Army [TA] will be better integrated with the Regular Army. This will ensure that the Army, both Regular and Reserve, is best structured to support ongoing and future operations. It will include stopping reservist tasks that are no longer needed thereby bringing efficiencies and enabling manpower to be used for higher priorities.

"A number of posts within TA signals units were formed to operate equipment that has now become obsolete. These posts will now be removed and include Headquarters 12 Signals Group and 33, 34 and 35 Signals Regiments. It makes sense to reallocate resources from these posts to higher defence priorities. This decision has not been taken lightly and we are very aware of the exceptional contribution made by the Royal Signals within the TA.

"Where possible those affected by this decision will be offered other opportunities within the TA, and we will be conducting further work to decide the most effective configuration for the TA Royal Signals. This decision was arrived at separately from the Reserves Review, but is entirely consistent with it."

He concluded his speech saying:

"The review we publish today is important for our Armed Forces and for Britain's Reserves. It makes clear that the two are not separate but that Reserves provide an integral part of our military force structure. It provides a firm basis from which we can work further to develop and improve our Reserve Forces, and how we support them.

"I believe this is an exciting opportunity for our reservists. The review outcome is a comprehensive piece of work which has been welcomed by the Service Chiefs. It is a blueprint to ensure that our Reserve Forces have a clear and bright future to match their illustrious past."

Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets) Major General Simon Lalor, the UK's most senior serving reservist, said of the review:

"On behalf of the reservist community, I welcome this report. The Strategic Review of Reserves marks a step change in the development of the UK's Reserve Forces, being the first time they have been looked at in their own right.

"By acknowledging the vital contribution Reserves make on operations, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, and then looking in detail as to how the Reserves can be better organised, equipped and supported, this review has provided the MOD with a clear mandate for change and improvement. As a result the Reserves will be in the best possible shape to meet the challenges not just of today but more importantly of tomorrow."

The Reserves Review was conducted by a team led by Major General Nicholas Cottam which consulted with the reserves community including the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations.