RAF Regulars who have left within the last 12 months need to do the following:

• Contact the RAF Reserve Squadron you want to join
• Complete paperwork with the Squadron
• Invited to attend an interview
• Confirmation of Medical Fitness
• On successful completion of these stages Invited to attest

RAF Reserve Squadrons have vacancies at many ranks, so where possible the opportunity to transfer at the same rank can be offered. Pay is paid per day (or part day) of work or training completed with the RAF Reserves.

Ex-Regulars may be entitled to start on the top level Annual Tax Free Bounty which is payable on meeting qualifying criteria. The current Annual Tax Free Bounty is £1759 (correct at 1st April 2017). RAF Reservists are entitled to paid leave and contributions to a Service Pension, relative to the days an individual has worked in the RAF Reserves. Adventure training and sports opportunities are available to RAF Reservists.

Adventure training is classed as duty and can be applied for as paid working days, which will be considered and authorised by the Commanding Officer of the RAF Reserve Squadron. There are many adventure training and sports opportunities offered across the Joint Services; these include sailing, mountain biking, gliding, sub aqua, football, hockey, water polo, to name only a few.

RAF Reservists are entitled to SLC towards the payment for courses and qualifications that are of benefit to the individual and the RAF. As an RAF Reservist individuals can continue to build transferable skills in areas including leadership, management and many trade related areas.

Home to Duty allowance will be paid to cover travel to and from duty at an RAF Reserve Squadron and will be calculated in line with Joint Services Publication 752.

In the first 3 years directly after leaving the RAF as a Regular and joining the RAF as a Reservist there is an opportunity to reduce commitment to 15 days per year. Also, in the first 3 years directly after leaving the RAF as a Regular, there is no mobilisation commitment but an individual can volunteer to be mobilised during this time if they wish.

After any reduced commitment period has finished an individual must be able to commit to a minimum of 27 days per year, including 15 days continuous training (requests to split this into 7 and 8 day blocks can be considered). Some companies will allow an extra 10 days leave for RAF Reserve service. An individual’s civilian employment Human Resources Department will be able to provide the company’s policy on military Reserve service. Once a reduced commitment period has been completed, an individual should expect to be mobilised at some point during their RAF Reserve career, either within the United Kingdom or overseas.

RAF Reservists receive an annual report on their work each year the same as an RAF Regular.

Individuals can apply to join the RAF Reserves from age 18 to 54 (attestation into the RAF Reserve Squadron must be before the applicant’s 55th birthday). Ex-Regulars over the age of 55 may be considered on a case by case basis.