Army Reserve

(asked on 17th November 2014) - View Source

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what average length of time applicants to the Army Reserve waited before their initial application forms were received and medical and security clearance was provided in 2014 to date.


Answered by
 Portrait
Julian Brazier
This question was answered on 24th November 2014

The Department does not routinely record the length of time it takes each candidate to progress through individual stages of the recruiting process; the focus is on the overall length of time it takes individuals to complete the entire process from application to enlistment. A number of changes have been implemented to simplify and streamline the recruiting process and have enabled those candidates who are willing and able to progress rapidly from application to enlistment, currently the shortest completion time by an individual is 46 days.

Applications to join the Army Reserve are made online. Applications are received immediately and the candidate will receive an email confirming their application has been received. Candidates then complete an online medical form received shortly after submitting their application. Following successful completion of this initial medical filter and a face-to-face interview, conducted at an Army or Armed Forces Careers Centre or by their unit for officer and soldier applicants respectively, the candidate will then receive the Recruiting Group Medical Declaration form via email. The candidate is responsible for arranging its completion with their GP. There is no delay to the candidate's progress through the recruiting pipeline during this time as under changes immplemented in recent months, they are able to attend the Assessment Centre and provisionally enlist prior to receipt of the GP completed Recruiting Group Medical Declaration form.

The security clearance process has also been streamlined to remove unnecessary delay. Army Reserve candidates, except in Northern Ireland, can enlist as soon as their Baseline Personnel Security Standard application is submitted, usually at the Assessment Centre following successful attendance. Those individuals with roles that require Security Clearance need to have received clearance before attending Phase Two training. These Reservists are, however, able to commence the initial training with limited supervised access to assets and information prior to receiving their Security Clearance.

Assessment Centre's capacity has increased incrementally by 64% from August through to the end of November and by 89% in weekend capacity over the same period. Units are able to book groups of candidates for weekend assessments, allowing recruits to progress as a cohort. In addition Reserve candidates have priority for all weekend assessment centre slots.

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