Call To Action - The Facts

(from http://www.army.mod.uk)

The 1998 Strategic Defence Review set out a fundamental change in the planned use of the Reserves in support of the United Kingdom's defence interests.  As a trained member of the TA you are liable to call out under the Reserve Forces Act 1996.  This is designed to help volunteer forces operate readily alongside regular forces.  Deployment is usually preceded by a period of thorough training, normally at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre.  Training prepares volunteers for the specific military operation, whether a humanitarian or peacekeeping task or combat operations such as the Gulf War.  In the event of a callout, TA volunteers and their employers have the right to seek exemption or deferral under certain circumstances.  There is a national organisation which advises on the issue of call out in relation to your civilian employment.  The National Employers Liaison Committee (NELC) deals with employer relations for the Reserve Forces.