HAVING just swerved one war for the moment, military recruitment drives are never far away. The latest, this weekend, is being launched in Liverpool to "encourage people to do their bit for Britain” by becoming a Royal Navy part-timer.

A series of Royal Naval Reserve Live recruitment days are being held at HMS Eaglet, down on Brunswick Dock, with the aim of signing up around 150 new Mersey recruits in over the next three years. The first event will take place this Saturday. 

Organisers say people attending will have the opportunity to find out more about life on the ocean wave by meeting serving reservists and taking part in physical and mental challenges. They will also be able to watch demonstrations on weapons handling, fire fighting and chemical defence. 

Run

More than 2,300 men and women currently serve as reservists in the Royal Navy alongside their normal day job. Most have no previous military experience. 

Royal Naval Reservists, when needed, supplement the full-time ranks with extra manpower, and in some cases provides additional specialist civilian skills. New recruits must be aged between 16 and 40, have an appropriate standard in English and Maths, and be able to complete a one-and-a-half-mile run within a set time. Blimey. 

Reservists need to be able to commit the equivalent of 24 days a year for training, which mainly takes place during the evenings and at weekends, and will be paid for their time. They will also qualify for a yearly tax-free bonus, which ranges from £400 to £1,600 depending on the length of service. 

Chief Petty Officer Marc Barrowcliff said: “Becoming a reservist is a great way of experiencing life in the navy without having to give up your day job. For many people, it’s a chance to fulfil long-held ambitions. 

Dartmoor

“We pay people for their time but you’ll also experience the action and adventure of life at sea, and develop new friendships that often last a lifetime."

The initial training to become a reservist takes place one night a week or at weekends for the first 20 weeks. This is followed by a two-week residential course at HMS Raleigh in Cornwall or Britannia Royal Naval College in Devon. 

Both courses include overnight exercises on Dartmoor and, following the residential course, new recruits will be given training for a specific role, ranging from logistics to submarine operations. 

The Royal Navy says it needs an extra 1,500 reservists at its 22 units across the UK over the next three years. 

Royal Naval Reserve Live, HMS Eaglet, East Brunswick Dock, Liverpool, 10am-3pm, Saturday August 31, 2013.