Deploying Veterans in NATO countries Question

[VeteranQuestion]

My DH is a veteran of the armed forces. He’s received two letters in the space of a few weeks, one was a letter requesting his health records and up to date details (email, address, contact number) etc. He then received another a week later demanding these details in a threatening manner, there is a lot to fill in and he hasn’t managed to get it all done to send off, as he has a big project he’s working on at work. I have a feeling (I know this is assuming) but also based on released MOD government information, they are drafting ex-soldiers to be deployed to NATO countries. The information I’ve read is concerning and the current status is that Russia are an immediate threat and plans are being put in place.
The thought of my husband being posted away, really concerns me.

No they're not.

Depending on the nature of you're DH's contract/commission with the Armed Forces, he may have a reserve commitment for a number of years.

It's normal to periodically check the whereabouts/fitness/current employment of those with a reserve commitment as it assists planning (actual numbers of those potentially available v theoretical number based on all those eligible)

These are extraordinary times. So I will not take the usual approach of a new Chief of the General Staff (CGS) to this event. It will not be the traditional tour of the horizon covering the full breadth of Army business. I will concentrate on one area alone - how I intend to mobilise the British Army – our Regulars, Reservists and Civilians - to deter Russian aggression. To prevent war.

We are already a busy Army. But today is about mobilisation, and to mobilise effectively we will need to suppress our additive culture and guard against the ‘tyranny of and’ – we can’t do everything well and some things are going to have to stop; it will mean ruthless prioritisation.

From now the Army will have a singular focus – to mobilise to meet today’s threat and thereby prevent war in Europe.

So you don’t think this means anything?

No, that's not how this works.

How long has he got left to be a reservist? He'll know the legal obligations he has to abide by and also how to get out of being activated if he so wishes..... Lots of veterans have bad backs / loss of hearing / injured feet and shoulders / you name it despite the "clean bill of health" when they leave.

They'll send current serving personnel out first for the new NATO lines. Reservists are unlikely to be activated unless we go to an all out NATO war with Russia. Even then they'll need to be retrained, fitness levels managed, kitted out etc. Many will no longer be fit to serve despite their reservist status.

I think there are two types of reserve, people who've left the service and have a commitment on leaving and then there's what used to be the territorials who are increasingly being used as a backup to the regular army.

Here's the whole CGS speech

www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chief-the-general-staff-speech-at-rusi-land-warfare-conference

If you read it in it's entirety, you'll see it's more nuanced than the paragraphs you quoted.

Yes there is a major rethink of what size, capability and readiness is going to be needed with a revanchist Russia (the draw-down following the break up the USSR essentially needs to be put into reverse, and we need to be ready to fight in Europe under Article V)

But that does not mean a call-up is imminent. There is much that would need to be put in place beforehand - scenario planning for what is wanted/needed, options for securing that capability, then training to be able to deliver that capability. And that's far broader than reservists (TA or those with reserve commitment following regular service) though of course that will be part. How much of a part is still being considered.

And knowing how many of those who are on paper potentially available for mobilisation (arising from reserve commitment following regular service) is just one strand. And it's a strand that is considered from time to time anyhow as part of routine planning

Does he undertake training and exercises with the army or is his reserve status simply based on his prior service?
The reserves (territorials) are an increasingly integral part of the armed forces and do deploy depending on need.

If he's an ex soldier on reserve due to his prior service his skills & fitness may be seen as less of use as time passes, it's six years I think.

Your OH should know which category he falls into.

Absolutely not happening.

Is your husband on the reserve list? If so this is totally normal and legally binding. All was explained when he left. Some people are on the reserve list until 55!

Understandably due to what is happening contact details need to be up to date and I'm sure these are being chased more than normal.

I can distinctly remember asking why suddenly,around 2015,the regular reserve started being counted as a number within the reserves,thus contributing to the overall army numbers.

They also change contracts and pensions at this time. I was told to sign a document that would have made my regular reserve commitment a longer one. The quotes,oh the regular reserve will never be called up....I'm sure those who sighed these documents and pretty pissed off now.i didnt sign the document.

Loads of Regular reserves were called up to go to Iraq in 2003,or where called up to cover UK based jobs whilst regulars deployed.

I would be concerned too if I was on the reserve list. If he was to be called up he wouldnt serve abroad, he would be used to backfill jobs in the UK so regulars and normal reserves could deploy