Comment: 'I have been reading the section on the navy to do with when you would be able to leave if you did sign. It is all alright apart from the section which states that someone who gives their notice and leaves would have to serve out the rest of their 18 years or longer as a reserve. It is only 6 years that someone would remain on the reserve list.'

Response: I've had another look at the regulations and can confirm that the information currently on the web site is technically correct. The Royal Navy Terms of Service (Ratings) Regulations 2006 includes the following: 'A person transferred to the reserve in consequence of the exercise of a right conferred by regulation 4 shall serve in the reserve until the expiration of the term for which he was entered to serve in the Royal Navy or for such shorter period as the competent naval authority may, in his case, determine.' (see http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2006/20062918.htm) However, the Service Leavers Pack for 2007 states that navy ratings (i.e. non-officers) who leave regular service will have a standard reserve liability of six years, as you say. The emphasis on the 'standard' suggests that common practice differs from what the government in legally entitled to require of service leavers. I've altered the web page on this to show both reserve liability in law (of up to 18 years) and the liability in practice (six years)

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