RESERVE FORCES REWARDED FOR COMMITMENT WITH NEW POST NOMINAL AWARD

Volunteer Reserves will be able to use the letters VR after their names after 10 years of service.

This will allow them to identify publicly their contribution to the armed forces and the skills and experience gained as a reservist. These letters will follow their name, alongside any other qualifications or awards.

The post nominal will be for all members of the Reserves, regardless of rank or service, and will be backdated to 1999. The new award demonstrates the Government’s enduring appreciation for the commitment of the Reserves.

Eligibility to use the post-nominal will be dependent upon an individual having served continuously for 10 years in the UK Volunteer Reserve Forces, following completion of their Phase 1 training. Volunteer Reserve Forces means the Royal Navy Reserve (RNR), Royal Marines Reserve (RMR), Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army) or the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF). Those serving on Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) assignments, Additional Duties Commitments (ADC) and Non Regular Permanent Staff(NRPS) are also eligible to use the post-nominal provided they have completed ten years of continuous service in the Volunteer Reserve Forces.

On completion of 10 years’ continuous service an individual should confirm eligibility to use the post-nominal with his or her unit administration office.

The post-nominal letters can be used on occasions where it is appropriate, for example as part of a titular address, but they are to follow after the post-nominal letters denoting the grant of any state Honour or decoration, or educational or professional 
qualification – e.g. Corporal M J Smith MBE BSc VR or Major M J Smith MBE TD DL JP VR etc.

As the post-nominal letters are formal recognition of a length of service, the entitlement to their use applies equally to serving and retired personnel on and from 1 April 1999 and will not be subject to consideration for forfeiture.