# The Royal Navy Terms of Service (Ratings) Regulations 2006, Regulation 8: Continuance in service


(1) A person entered in the Royal Navy for a term of service in accordance with regulation 3(1) or a person entered for a term of service which began before the commencement of these Regulations may, at any time during the term for which he is entered, give to his commanding officer notice in writing of his desire to continue to serve in the Royal Navy after the end of that term for such period as, subject to paragraph 4 of this regulation, may be specified in the notice and, if the competent naval authority approve, he may, after the end of that term, continue to serve in the Royal Navy for the period specified in the notice in all respects as if that term were still unexpired and he shall not then be entitled at the expiration of that term to leave the Royal Navy unless he has previously given 12 months’ notice in writing to his commanding officer of that intention.
(2) A person who continues to serve in the Royal Navy in accordance with paragraph (1) of this regulation may, before the date on which the period for which he is so continued will end, give to his commanding officer notice in writing of his desire to continue to serve further in the Royal Navy after that date for such period as, subject to paragraph 4 of this regulation, may be specified in the notice, and, if the competent naval authority approve, he may after that date continue to serve in the Royal Navy for the period specified in the notice in all respects as if the term for which he was previously continued were still unexpired.
(3) Paragraph (2) of this regulation shall apply to persons who continue to serve in the Royal Navy thereunder as it applies to such persons continued in service under paragraph (1) of this regulation.
(4) Subject to the approval of the competent naval authority, a person may continue to serve in the Royal Navy for any period of 12 or more months up to a maximum of 15 years from the date his service would otherwise have ended under the term for which he was originally entered to serve in the Royal Navy.
(5) Where a person continues to serve in the Royal Navy under this regulation he may, subject to paragraph (6) of this regulation, give 12 months’ notice in writing to his commanding officer of his desire to be discharged and he shall, upon the expiration of such notice, or upon the expiration of a period of 12 months’ notice given by him to his commanding officer at any time during the last 12 months’ service of the original term, be so discharged.
(6) A person who consents in writing to be restricted in the exercise of the right conferred by paragraph (5) of this regulation to give 12 months’ notice, in consideration of being permitted to undergo a course of instruction or receiving any other benefit or advantage, shall not exercise such right before the expiration of the period specified in such consent.

---
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/2918/regulation/8 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/royal-navy-terms-of-service-ratings-regulations-2006/regulation-8
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.