Afganistan

[ToryBoy]

Was the recent Afganistan mobilisation voluntary?
How many went? Sorry to sound dim, but I'm just in the process of joining, so I'm not in-the-know on a lot of subjects yet.

 

[dunkers]

Yep it was voluntary and they were looking for 100 volunteers from across the RNR. Don't know how many they got though, or indeed if they were sent to Afganistan in the end.

RNR deployments are usually voluntary, they only have a compulsory call-out if the sh1t really hits the fan (the Russians nuking us for instance). You can't be called out for about 2 years from when you join anyway because that's how long it takes, generally speaking, to train you to a useful level.

 

[mazza_magoo]

Yep it was voluntary and they were looking for 100 volunteers from across the RNR. Don't know how many they got though, or indeed if they were sent to Afganistan in the end.

RNR deployments are usually voluntary, they only have a compulsory call-out if the sh1t really hits the fan (the Russians nuking us for instance). You can't be called out for about 2 years anyway because that's how long it takes you, generally speaking, to train you to a useful level.

My understanding was they asked for volunteers, got somewhere in the region of 100+ and took about 15. The rest of us are on a list somewhere in someones desk until required. I could be wrong tho, it does happen from time to time...... :roll:

 

[slim]

Since the late 1950s we have had an all volunteer navy. I reckon that this means that when you signed the dotted line you volunteered

 

[ToryBoy]

thanks for the info

 

[dunkers]

slim, when the RNR is called out, they always ask for volunteers first. Very seldom do they have a compulsory call up. "Intelligent Mobilisation" they call it.

 

[ToryBoy]

slim, when the RNR is called out, they always ask for volunteers first. Very seldom do they have a compulsory call up. "Intelligent Mobilisation" they call it.

That's how I understood things to be, I just wondered if ti was different in practice, but it seems not.

 

[MasterChief]

There were in excess of 110 volunteered for OP Herrick but the requirement was mainly for Green Jumpers rather than Blue Ones (understandably so ) The list is very much in a top tray and is subject to the "pull" as required from MOD rather than "we are here use us".
Not many Blue opportunities but RMR much more useful in this theatre.
However there will be a very senior RNR ratimg off to Afghanistan very soon.

Actually under the guidelines of RFA96, once you have been compulsory mobilised you cant be recalled again for 3 years. Unless you volunteer, then you can go.

 

[trehorn]

I was chatting with a bloke this weekend who was off to Whale Island yesterday to prepare for deployment to Afganistan.

He volunteered.

Deployng to a landlocked country doesn't really float my boat if you'll pardon the pun. i Joined to go to serve on ships. Thats not to say i wouldn't go if required, i just wouldnt volunteer for that kind of mobilisation.

 

[watch_and_shoot]

Yep it was voluntary and they were looking for 100 volunteers from across the RNR. Don't know how many they got though, or indeed if they were sent to Afganistan in the end.

RNR deployments are usually voluntary, they only have a compulsory call-out if the sh1t really hits the fan (the Russians nuking us for instance). You can't be called out for about 2 years from when you join anyway because that's how long it takes, generally speaking, to train you to a useful level.

Is that generally the same deal for RMR? Its certainly not like that in the TA, or so Ive been told. Even though its officially voluntary, Ive heard of some units piling the pressure onto individuals to mobiilise.

 

[fullasternboth]

Deployng to a landlocked country doesn't really float my boat if you'll pardon the pun. i Joined to go to serve on ships. Thats not to say i wouldn't go if required, i just wouldnt volunteer for that kind of mobilisation.

There seems to be a headlong rush to deploy the RNR anywhere, just so long as we are seen to be deployed. I for one have no problem being called up to do the job I have been trained to do, if there is a genuine stretch/crisis/tension/war. But have no intention of volunteering just to prove the RNR can be deployed.

 

[hammockhead]

There seems to be a headlong rush to deploy the RNR anywhere, just so long as we are seen to be deployed. I for one have no problem being called up to do the job I have been trained to do, if there is a genuine stretch/crisis/tension/war. But have no intention of volunteering just to prove the RNR can be deployed.

Well that's the good thing about calling for volunteers - it's entirely up to you whether to volunteer. In any organisation like the RNR there will be some people who would like nothing better than to do a stint somewhere like Afghanistan and others who for whom deployment at a particular point in time would be a personal disaster. As long as the people on top realise that people's personal circumstances are very different and can change drastically in a very short space of time, and as long as we have sufficient people in reserve to have the luxury of calling for volunteers then everyone's happy. But as you say, at the end of the day if there is a genuine war/crisis and we are really needed then that's what we're here for.

 

[F.T.D]

The most disapointing but not surprising thing is that despite volunteering and asking at every opportunity the only info about op herrick is to be found here :lol:
Thank god for rum ration or we'd know less than zero

 

[Reservist-Monkey]

Small technical point, you may volunteer but there is no difference in the paperwork you receive.

For those of us that are mobilised, I rather you didn't point out to my employers that I had a choice in this!

As to fullasternboth's comments. Although you may want to do the job you're trained to, very many of the people in any theatre, particularly officers, are in 'any' jobs. Even if you mobilise for a particular role, the expediency of the service will always prevail, obviously.

 

[buster]

There were in excess of 110 volunteered for OP Herrick but the requirement was mainly for Green Jumpers rather than Blue Ones (understandably so ) The list is very much in a top tray and is subject to the "pull" as required from MOD rather than "we are here use us".
Not many Blue opportunities but RMR much more useful in this theatre.
However there will be a very senior RNR ratimg off to Afghanistan very soon.

Actually under the guidelines of RFA96, once you have been compulsory mobilised you cant be recalled again for 3 years. Unless you volunteer, then you can go.

is there any way of knowing if your volunteer status was known ?
at our unit it had a "back of fag packet" feel.