How Often Do Army Reserves Get Deployed?

There is no fixed schedule for Army reservist deployment. Most opportunities come through voluntary trawls that arise most years, with frequency depending on trade and unit demand. More specialist and niche roles may deploy more often. Compulsory call-up remains possible, but it is generally uncommon.

In this blog, we explore deployment for reservists, including whether it can be turned down, what deployment is for, how long deployment may last and how often you could find yourself deployed.

Please note, deployment frequency rises and falls with demand. Global events can shape the length of deployment, its frequency and more. This guide is focused on how the system works and provides a general overview.

How often do Army reservists actually get deployed?

There is no set timeline for how often deployment occurs. In most cases, deployment opportunities come through a trawl. This is the request for volunteers, advertised in your unit’s orders, to fill a specific role on an operation or exercise overseas. They will come up most years, but how many opportunities there are depends on your trade and unit.

Reservists with skills in medical, intelligence, logistics or engineering, for example, tend to have more opportunities than others. Currently, the British Army uses a “Whole Force” approach that ensures reservists are integrated alongside regular personnel rather than kept separate. This means that reserve places now feature on a broader range of operations.

It is widely acknowledged that experiences between reservists vary greatly. Some may complete several tours within just a few years, while others may never deploy despite being in the reserves for longer than their fellow reservists.

What is a trawl?

A trawl is a formal request for volunteers, issued through your unit’s orders, to fill a specific reservist role on an upcoming operation or exercise. Trawls are how the vast majority of reservists are deployed (rather than through compulsory call-out) and they specify the role, the location, and the likely dates, so you can decide whether to put yourself forward.

Are Army reservists forced to deploy?

Army reserves are not forced to deploy; however, compulsory call-out certainly remains a possibility if demand or the type of role makes it necessary.

It’s important to understand that volunteering for deployment and being mobilised are two very different things.

Mobilisation is when you are called up for a specific period of full-time service. Under the Reserve Forces Act 1996, reservists are liable for mobilisation, but this is normally only when they, and their employer, agree to it. In some instances, the government may decide it is compulsory.

At present, the legal power to call up reservists is found in three sections of the Reserve Forces Act 1996.

In most cases, operations are staffed by full-time serving personnel and then topped up with reservists who volunteer through the trawls. Compulsory call-up is only used when deemed necessary. Wherever possible, UK Defence uses a process of ‘intelligent mobilisation’ to efficiently calls up Reserve Forces,  This approach identifies individuals that have the right skills, knowledge and experience and involves dialogue with them and their employers  to minimize disruption to the economy and individuals.

Can Army reserves refuse deployment?

In simple terms, it depends.

• Voluntary trawl: If deployment stems from a voluntary trawl, you decide whether to put yourself forward. Nobody is sent on a volunteer deployment against their will.
• Compulsory call-out notice: If you receive a lawful compulsory call-out notice, failing to report for service without a lawful excuse is an offence under the Reserve Forces Act 1996. You cannot simply decline it.

However, if a call-out notice is issued, you or your employer can apply for exemption, deferral or revocation. This should normally be done within seven days of the notice being issued and can be an option if mobilising could cause serious harm to your business, personal circumstances or finances. An adjudication officer will then consider the application and make a decision.

Reservists also have their regular jobs protected by the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985. Employers would be committing a criminal offence if they were to dismiss you purely on the basis that you may be mobilised. The act also allows you to be reinstated to your original position after a call-out, subject to conditions.

What do Army reserves get deployed for?

There are many reasons for reservists to be deployed. Deployments fall into a few broad categories:

• Overseas operations: Supporting regular units on overseas operations with reservists filling specific roles within the larger force.
• Overseas training: In Kenya, the Falklands and across Europe, shorter commitments offering a chance to enhance skills and prepare for future deployment.
• UK resilience tasks: Where the military supports civil authorities, in flood situations, industrial action, large national events and more.
• Specialist roles: Roles in engineering, medicine, legal and cyber are often filled by skilled reservists if they are in short supply in the regular force.

Historically, reservists have provided essential support in a wide range of global operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan. However, many smaller-scale overseas operations and domestic tasks also remain common.

How long will the Army reserves be deployed for?

The length of deployment for the Army reserves depends on the type of deployment. An operational tour could last from six to twelve months once pre-deployment training and post-tour leave are factored in. However, this can vary by role. The statutory maximums are linked to the call-out power used, as referenced in our earlier table. Section 56, for example, states that up to 12 months is the maximum service length.

Overseas training exercises and many volunteer opportunities may often last just a few weeks. Regardless of length, you are normally given sufficient notice to organise cover at work and sort out any other commitments you may have at home.

How Trinity helps protect your kit when you deploy

Deployments, training exercises and moving between locations can put your kit at risk of loss, theft or accidental damage. As a reservist, you can be held personally responsible for any issued kit that you lose or damage. At times, this can be expensive.

That’s why a comprehensive military kit insurance policy from Trinity is essential. Our policies are designed for both full-time personnel and reserves, covering issued and personally purchased kit against loss and damage. You remain covered whether at home, on exercise or deployed. We include Licence to Occupy cover as standard, which ensures you are protected from your liability for up to £20,000 of damage caused to MOD provided accommodation.

If you are unsure which kit you are responsible for, we’ve put together a guide for issued, temporary and personal military kit.

Request a call-back today, and one of our team members will help you with a free, no-obligation quote.