Defence Relationship Management

Defence Relationship Management (DRM) partners with organisations throughout the UK, helping them understand the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant and building mutually beneficial partnerships with Defence. It provides support on employing Reservists, veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military spouses and improving fairness for the Armed Forces community in the consumer market.

About DRM

We offer advice and support on employing members of the armed forces community, and enables organisations to develop a mutually beneficial working relationship with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). By partnering with organisations throughout the UK, DRM aids them in understanding the value of signing the Armed Forces Covenant whilst also providing support on employing reservists, veterans, cadet force adult volunteers and military spouses and improving fairness for the armed forces community in the consumer market.

Find out more about rights and responsibilities for employers and reservists.

Defence is keen to establish open, strategic relationships with employers, tailoring partnering opportunities to mutual needs and business goals.

The ways we offer support include:

  • employment of reservists and support through flexible HR policies
  • employment of regular service personnel at the end of their engagements, in collaboration with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
  • employment opportunities for service leavers with more challenging transitions including the wounded, injured and sick
  • employment of spouses/civil partners of service personnel
  • joint development of skills in areas such as engineering, medical, communications and cyber security
  • career opportunities and support for cadet adult instructors
  • tackling disadvantages faced by service personnel in the consumer market

Find out more about working with defence and the support available to employers and those within the armed forces community.

Privacy policy

You can read our Privacy policy to find out more about how we process data.

Reserve Forces Review 2030

Read about the Reserve Forces Review 2030.

Rights and responsibilities for employers and reservists

Reservists are men and women who give up their time to train and serve alongside the regular forces. Reserve roles are diverse; as well as taking part in operational deployments, reservists are called out to help to deal with emergency situations in the UK, undertake military ceremonial duties and engage with schools, young people and cadets.

At every stage of a reservist’s career, there are obligations for both reservists and employers. It’s important to be aware of these as some are governed by law (e.g. the legal right to reinstatement in civilian jobs after a period of mobilised service).

Follow the links below to find out about your legal rights and responsibilities as an employer or reservist with regard to:

There are resources available that provide guidance and support on all aspects of employing reservists.

To provide feedback and suggestions on how this website could be further developed please email: employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk

How to employ service leavers

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the MOD’s official provider of resettlement support to members of the armed forces at the end of their service. The CTP provides a recruitment service at no cost to employers and connects organisations with regular service personnel at the end of their engagements.

The CTP provides comprehensive resettlement services ranging from creating CVs and learning how to transfer military experience to civilian roles, to completing vocational training courses and finally approaching the job market with confidence.

The Armed Forces Covenant

Since June 2013, thousands of companies have publically pledged their support to the armed forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations pledge to honour 2 main principles:

  • no member of the armed forces community should face disadvantage at work or in the community compared to other citizens
  • in some circumstances special consideration is appropriate for those who have given most, such as the injured or bereaved

Find out which employers in your region or industry have pledged their support to the armed forces community on the Armed Forces Covenant signed pledges page.

Employer Recognition Scheme

Organisations who take positive action to make their workplace more reservist friendly and support the wider Defence People requirements may be eligible for Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) awards

These awards are a public recognition by the MOD of an employer’s efforts to pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to the armed forces community. If you are a reservist you can thank your supportive employer with public recognition, nominate them for an ERS award.

Develop an HR policy for reservists

In order to attract reservists to their workforce and treat them in a consistent and fair manner, many organisations incorporate support for Reservist employees into their human resources policies.

To see what employers typically include in a reservist HR policy, download our policy template.

Support for reservists

As a reservist, there’s a great deal of support available to you. If you have any questions relating to civilian employment that haven’t been answered in the rights and responsibilities for reservists and employers section on this site, or you are experiencing difficulties with your employer, you can contact your Unit Employer Support Officer.

Each unit has an Employer Support Officer who is the main authority on employer issues. Your detachment commander or Permanent Staff Administrative Officer (PSAO) will be able to put you in touch. Employer Support Officers can give you legal advice or tips on how best to talk to your employer to encourage them to support your reserve service.

Contact DRM

For further information and advice on employing members of the armed forces community and partnering with defence, contact DRM.

Email: employerrelations@rfca.mod.uk

Regional Employer Engagement Directors can offer you support and advice relating to defence personnel issues, particularly employment of reservists, veterans (including wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and spouses/partners.

Find your Regional Employer Engagement Director here.

DRM has a legal duty to protect any information we collect from you and you have the right to access your personal data, ask us to remove your personal data and amend any inaccuracies at any time. Read our full Privacy Notice for more details.

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