Sponsored Reserves (SR)

Who should read this page?

This page is primarily provided for Commercial Officers, but is also relevant to all those involved in projects where the use of Sponsored Reserves is being considered.

What does this page provide?

This page briefly explains what Sponsored Reserves are, shows you where you can find policy and guidance on the subject, identifies the main legal regulations impacting on Sponsored Reserves and outlines the general principles underpinning them.

It also explains what is mandated, identifies who you can go to for advice, sets out the relevant Commercial training and provides a list of further reading.

What are Sponsored Reserves?

Sponsored Reserves are employees of a contractor, under contract to the MOD to provide a service, who have agreed to enlist with the Armed Forces as a ‘Special Member’ of a Reserve Force. Both Sponsored Reserves and Contractors on Deployed Operations (CONDO) are types of Contractor Support to Operations (CSO).

Where can I find policy and guidance on Sponsored Reserves

The Sponsored Reserves Commercial Policy Statement (CPS) [95KB PDF] details MOD’s Commercial Policy and Guidance on Sponsored Reserves.

The overarching policy and guidance on Sponsored Reserves can be found in the following Joint Service Publications (JSPs):

JSP 567 – Contractor Support to Operations (CSO) Policy Overview Part One. This details the concept and operation of Sponsored Reserves.
JSP 753 – Tri-Service Regulations for the Mobilisation of Reserves. This sets out the circumstances in which Sponsored Reserves are mobilised and the method of mobilisation.
JSP 516 – The Reserve Forces Act 1996 (RFA 96). This provides a synopsis of the Act.

What is the Legal Framework for Sponsored Reserves?

The Reserve Forces Act 1996 (RFA 96) External link to Internet content includes the legislation which allows the MOD to require its Contractors to deliver certain designated services by staff who have Sponsored Reserves status.

What are the general principles in the use of Sponsored Reserves?

Sponsored Reserves are generally used where a commercial service is required to be delivered by uniformed personnel in potentially non-benign environments.

What is mandated when dealing with Sponsored Reserves?

You must use the draft terms and conditions provided at Annex A to the Commercial Policy Statement [95KB PDF]. However, these should be regarded as a starting point only as they may require modification to suit the particular requirements of each project.

You must seek guidance from Central Legal Services Commercial Law (CLS-CL ) before sending Terms and Conditions to potential contractors.

When considering the use of Sponsored Reserves you must ensure that in addition to the usual project stakeholders, Centre and Single Service Authorities with an SR interest are consulted. For the Centre and Single Service points of contact see below.

Who do I go to for advice?

Contact	Phone / Email	Area
Directorate General Defence Commercial Commercial Systems (DGDC CS)	DGDC CS-2B-1 Mil: 9352 32823 Civ: +44 (0) 117 91 32823 Email: dgdccs-2b-1@mod.uk	For general advice on this page and the SR Commercial Policy Statement (CPS).
The relevant Head of Commercial	Senior Commercial Officer	For business specific application of Sponsored Reserves.
Central Legal Services Commercial Law (CLS-CL)	CLS-CL Mil: 9352 37701 Civ: +44 (0) 117 91 37701 Email: cls-clea@mod.uk	For Legal advice on the Terms and Conditions for Sponsored Reserve (SR) contracts.
MOD Centre - Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Strategy and Plans)	MA/ACDS(SP) Civ : +44 (0) 207 218 2188 Email: acdssp-ma@mod.uk	For matters relating to SR Concept, overarching policy and SR business opportunities.
MOD Centre -Reserve Forces and Cadets DCDS (Pers) RFC Cap Cts SO1	RFC Capability Branch Civ: +44 (0) 207 218 3852 Email: dcdspers-rfc-capctsso1@mod.uk	For matters relating to SR terms and conditions of service, call-out and RFA 96.
Single Service - Royal Navy:	FLEET-Director Naval Personnel Naval PersonnelTeam (Reserves) Sponsored Reserves CPO Civ: +44 (0) 2392 628748 Email: FLEET-DNPERS NPT(Res) SR CPO	Single Services – For matters relating to SR entry criteria, terms and conditions of service, training and administration.
Single Service - Army:	Land Forces Manning (Army)-Employments –Terms of Service -SO2(4) Civ: +44 (0) 1980 615035 Email: lf-manninga-emp-tos-so24@mod.uk	Single Services as above.
Single Service - Royal Air Force:	AIR A1-Reserves Support SO1 Civ: +44 (0) 1494 497946 Email: aira1-rsrvssptso1@mod.uk	Single Services as above.

What training is available on Sponsored Reserves?

There is no specific commercial training available on Sponsored Reserves.

What further reading might help?

AOF – Commercial Toolkit content

If you are considering using Contractor Support to Operations (CSO) you should also refer to the CONDO topic.

Associated Documents

Annex B – Draft Form of the Employee Agreement [35KB DOC]

Annex C - Draft Form of the Employer’s Consent Certificate [28KB DOC]

Change History

1 May 2010: Contact details for MOD Centre -Reserve Forces and Cadets updated.
1 March 2010: Annex's B and C removed from policy statement, and created as downloadable Word documents.
1 February 2010: Topic reviewed and re-issued under Commercial Policy Statement version 1.0.
1 June 2009: New topic guidance published.
1 May 2009: Change to Sponsor title from DCD-DCS2-2a1.
1 November 2008: Guidance temporarily withdrawn - in the process of being updated.
1 May 2007: Change to Sponsor title from CSG-Risk.
1 September 2006: Change to Sponsor title.