There’s a certain kind of madness required to finish a full working week, hop in the car on a Friday night, drive several hours, and then willingly sign up for a weekend of early mornings, lots of meetings and operational outputs. And yet, here I am—doing exactly that. Welcome to the life of an RAF Reservist.
People often ask me, “Why do you do it?” To be fair, they usually ask while watching me down my third coffee, looking slightly broken on a Monday morning. The truth is, being a Reservist is tiring, intense, and requires some serious commitment, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Best of Both Worlds… Sort Of
Reservists of any Service are a unique breed, we balance careers, families, and personal lives with the small matter of supporting military operations and protecting national security. Sounds exhausting? It is. But it’s also thrilling, rewarding, and you know you are apart of something that is so much bigger.
Unlike our full-time counterparts, we flip between two worlds. Monday to Friday, we’re in business meetings, behind desks, or running companies. Then, come the weekend, we swap office chairs for another office chair with my trade (but very different). It’s the ultimate double life, which can be frustrating for me as I have to find room in my already full wardrobe for my unform…no I won’t throw any shoes or handbags away!
Why Do We Do It?
Apart from the world-class training and sense of adventure, there are plenty of perks to being a Reservist:
From Full-Time Forces to Reserve Life
I used to be a Regular and absolutely loved it. But as they say, you just know when your time is up. I wanted to take my skills elsewhere and enhance them, but the military never really leaves you. The RAF Reserves gave me the perfect way to stay connected to the Armed Forces while also transitioning into a new career.
When I left the Regulars, I left behind more than just a job, I left behind a way of life and the people I’d grown up with after joining at 17. Becoming a Reservist allowed me to keep serving, stay part of that world, and continue making a difference, all while figuring out how to exist in civilian life (which is a lot harder than it looks).
Reservist Life: More Than Just a Weekend Job
Being an RAF Reservist isn’t just “something to do on the side”, it’s a commitment, a challenge, and an opportunity to contribute to something that truly matters. It’s about pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, gaining skills you never imagined, and being part of a team that operates at the highest level.
I’m also lucky to work for an organisation that fully supports my Reservist commitments. They recognise the value of what I bring back, the leadership, discipline, and adaptability. And they probably enjoy the fact that I’m trained in crisis management.
So yes, it’s tiring, unpredictable, and sometimes chaotic. But would I change it? Not right now. Because at the end of the day, if they need my support, we step up. And that’s why, after a long week at work, I pack my bags, get in the car, and do it all over again.