The Royal Navy (Ratings) and Royal Marines Terms of Service (Amendment) Regulations 2023

Made: 11th October 2023

Laid before Parliament: 16th October 2023

Coming into force: 1st January 2024

The Defence Council, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 328(1) and (2) and 329(1) and (2) of the Armed Forces Act 2006[^f00001], makes these Regulations.

Citation, commencement and extent

1

• (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Royal Navy (Ratings) and Royal Marines Terms of Service (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

• (2) These Regulations come into force on 1st January 2024.

• (3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the British overseas territories, except Gibraltar.

Interpretation

2

In these Regulations—

• “the RN Regulations” means the Royal Navy Terms of Service (Ratings) Regulations 2006[^f00002];

• “the RM Regulations” means the Royal Marines Terms of Service Regulations 2006[^f00003].

The RN Regulations

3

In regulation 3(2) of the RN Regulations—

• (a) after “a term expiring on a date” insert “approved by the competent naval authority”;

• (b) for “11”, substitute “12”.

4

In regulation 8 of the RN Regulations—

• (a) in paragraph (3)(c) after “paragraph (4)” insert “or (9)”;

• (b) in paragraph (5) after “paragraph (4)” insert “or (9)”;

• (c) after paragraph (7), insert—

(8) Any person who enlisted in the Royal Navy in accordance with regulation 3(2) on or after 1st January 2024, may be selected for an extended term of service ending either— (a) after a period of 20 years from the date of their entry into service or date of enlistment (as the case may be), or (b) on that person’s 40th birthday, whichever is the later. (9) A person who is selected for an extended term of service under paragraph (8) must be notified in writing and may exercise the option to undertake the extended term of service.

The RM Regulations

5

In regulation 3(2) of the RM Regulations—

• (a) After “a term expiring on a date” insert “approved by the competent naval authority”;

• (b) for “11”, substitute “12”.

6

In regulation 8 of the RM Regulations—

• (a) in paragraph (3)(c) after “paragraph (4)” insert “or (9)”;

• (b) in paragraph (5) after “paragraph (4)” insert “or (9);

• (c) after paragraph (7), insert—

(8) Any person who enlisted in the Royal Marines in accordance with regulation 3(2) on or after 1stJanuary 2024, may be selected for an extended term of service ending either— (a) after a period of 20 years from the date of their entry into service or date of enlistment (as the case may be), or (b) on that person’s 40th birthday, whichever is the later. (9) A person who is selected for an extended term of service under paragraph (8) must be notified in writing and may exercise the option to undertake the extended term of service.

Signed

On behalf of the Defence Council

Andrew Murrison — Ben Key — Members of the Defence Council — Ministry of Defence — 11th October 2023

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

EXPLANATORY NOTE

These Regulations are made under the Armed Forces Act 2006 (c. 52) and amend the Royal Navy Terms of Service (Ratings) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2918) and the Royal Marines Terms of Service Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2917). The amendments introduce alternative lengths of engagements and establish alternative routes to obtaining a longer engagement.

Regulations 3 and 4 make provision for the amendments to be made to the Royal Navy Terms of Service (Ratings) Regulations 2006.

Regulations 5 and 6 make provision for the amendments to be made to the Royal Marines Terms of Service Regulations 2006.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: 2006 c. 52, to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.

[^f00002]: S.I. 2006/2918 as amended by S.I. 2009/1089, S.I. 2011/1523 and S.I. 2014/3068.

[^f00003]: S.I. 2006/2917 as amended by S.I. 2009/1089, S.I. 2011/1523 and S.I. 2014/3068.