June 25, 2025
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Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that should their country require them, they would be ready to serve.
The Reserve Forces make up approximately one-sixth of UK Armed Forces personnel and, as such, are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas, particularly by providing capability in specialist areas such as medical and cyber.
Wednesday, June 25, 2025, is Reserves Day, and we’re paying tribute to their hard work and dedication.
Calum Langa’s day job is with Trident IES in Aberdeen.
Calum Langa is a Reservist with the Royal Marines Reserve Scotland (RMR Scotland) at Aberdeen Detachment. His day job is with Armed Forces Covenant signatory and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award holder Trident IES in Aberdeen where he works as an Accounts Assistant. He is 28 years old, engaged, and lives in Alford, Aberdeenshire.
Tell us about your career as a Reservist, when and where did it all start, what’s your current role, and what made you want to join up?
“I joined Regular Royal Marines Training a few years back and as I approached my final few weeks of training I left for personal reasons. I always wanted to finish what I started, so I joined the Royal Marines Reserve in November 2024. I am currently at the Aberdeen Detachment of RMR Scotland. I am a recruit undergoing Commando Training which is 15 to 18 months. I wanted to join up because I wanted the best of both worlds. I wanted to push myself mentally and physically with the most arduous training and earn my green beret and hopefully deploy on operations one day, whilst also having the time to further my career and raise a family when the time comes.”
What’s the best part of being a Reservist?
“I think the best part of the RMR is the flexibility and opportunity. If you have an interest in the military but have family commitments or are focusing on your career, the Reserves give you the best of both worlds. There are plenty of opportunities to go on courses within the Reserves, the more you put in the more you will get out.”
Where has your Reservist career taken you?
“While in training I have only been to various training areas in Scotland, England and Wales. As the Royal Marines train yearly in Norway, when passed out as a Royal Marine Commando I hope to do this course as soon as possible as I have always wanted to do the cold weather warfare training.”
Do you have a favourite moment?
“I have many favoured moments during my time in training as you create a close bond with your “oppos” through shared adversity, which relates to my favourite of the four Commando Qualities – Cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Whilst there are many miserable moments in training, they tend to be the best parts you remember as you and the lads make light of whatever situation arises. One moment that stands out for me was on a week-long exercise in Wales doing troop level attacks on villages, we were extracted by Chinook, which was my first time on a helicopter.”
Calum crawling through a stream during RMR training.
Tell us about your civilian job.
“I’m currently an Accounts Assistant for Trident IES and studying to become a Chartered Accountant through ACCA, which is very different to my role in the Royal Marines Reserve, this gives me a great appreciation for my civilian job and role in the RMR. After a weekend of being cold, wet and tired – a seat in the office on a Monday morning is just what I need! On the other end of the spectrum a week in the office makes me look forward to soldiering in the field at the weekend for some excitement.”
Being a Reservist requires time off work, how does your employer support those demands?
“I consider myself lucky to have a very supportive employer that recognises the benefits of my service in the RMR. They have provided me with 10 days of fully paid leave for my Reservist commitments. My employer is an Armed Forces Covenant signatory, has achieved the Gold ERS Award and employs many Veterans.”
What skills have you gained as a Reservist that enhance your civilian role?
“As a Reservist you develop a wide range of skills that enhance your civilian career such as communication, leadership, teamwork, decision-making and working under pressure. For me the biggest one has to be confidence, the experiences throughout training give you the self-belief and feeling you can do/achieve anything you set your mind to.”
What would you tell a colleague who was interested in becoming a Reservist?
“Go for it. If the thought has crossed your mind, if you don’t do it now, you will always wonder… what if? Don’t have that regret, my regret is I didn’t join sooner.”
