Carns Counters ‘Misinformation’ on Reserve Reforms, Says Veterans Unaffected Unless They Opt In

Armed Forces Minister Clarifies Reserve Reforms Amid Public Confusion

The Armed Forces Minister has taken to social media to address what he described as “misinformation” regarding the government’s planned changes to military reserve recall rules. Al Carns posted a video on X explaining that the reforms will target currently serving personnel rather than veterans who have already left the armed forces.

“You’ve heard lots of stuff in the news recently about the recent changes to the reserves, so here’s what it really means,” Carns stated in the video, seeking to provide clarity on reforms that have sparked debate and concern.

The government’s proposed changes, outlined in the Armed Forces Bill, aim to streamline crisis response capabilities by lowering the threshold for when reservists can be called up. Under the new rules, reservists could be recalled not only during “national danger, great emergency or attack on the UK,” but also for “warlike preparations”—a significant expansion of recall criteria.

The reforms also include extending the age limit for reserve service from 55 to 65 and creating more fluid pathways between regular and reserve service. These changes are expected to be implemented by spring 2027.

Carns was blunt in his assessment of the current system’s complexity. “Now, the reserve system without a shadow of a doubt, is a mess,” he said, pointing to a fragmented structure that includes “volunteer reserves, strategic reserves, recall reserves, regular reserves, different pensions, different recall, different justification for liability, different pay, and so on.”

A key component of the reforms involves standardizing recall arrangements across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Currently, each service operates under different systems, creating administrative challenges and potential confusion.

The minister emphasized the reforms’ goal of facilitating what he termed “zigzag careers”—making it easier for personnel to transition between regular service and reserve roles. “So many people have told me how difficult it is once they have left the military to then join the reserves, or if they’re in the reserves, to join the regulars,” Carns noted. “These changes will make it more seamless… Go to regular, go to full-time and back again. Make it nice and simple.”

Regarding the age limit increase to 65, Carns argued that many reservists can continue to contribute valuable skills from their civilian careers well beyond the current cap of 55. This change acknowledges that experience and expertise remain valuable as personnel age, particularly in specialized roles where technical or strategic knowledge is paramount.

The minister framed the reforms as a necessary response to a deteriorating global security environment. “The world is more fragile than ever before, and defence needs to change its employment model to represent the workforce needs,” he stated, suggesting the changes reflect a strategic reassessment of military preparedness.

In response to concerns from veterans, Carns specifically clarified that former service members would not be affected by the new recall rules unless they actively choose to opt in. However, questions remain about what this opt-in process would involve, what legal obligations it would create, and whether veterans could later withdraw their consent.

These uncertainties may be particularly relevant for older veterans or those with health conditions who might hesitate to commit to potential recall obligations without clear parameters. The government has yet to provide specific details on these aspects of the reforms.

The Army Reserve currently constitutes the largest component of the UK’s Reserve Forces, serving as a crucial supplement to regular military capabilities. As global tensions escalate in various regions, these reforms reflect the UK’s efforts to enhance military readiness while adapting to changing workforce dynamics and security challenges.