J Taylor

Regiment succeeds in Nordic Skiing Championships

Midlands based 159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps  joined the annual Royal Logistic Corps’ (RLC) Nordic Skiing exercise from 23rd November to 19th December 2024. This time the event was hosted in Obertilliach in Austria, which is known for its world class biathlon stadium and traditional Austrian culture. The first two weeks saw the team training hard and fine tuning technique whilst their two…

New multi-million pound Joint Cadet Centre in Stafford

Ground has been broken and work started on a new Joint Cadet Centre in Stafford.   The project, led by our Association, will provide new training facilities for the following units from Staffordshire and Birmingham (North Sector) Army Cadet Force (ACF): HQ Company, C Company (Stafford) unit, Corps of Drums. From the Royal Air Force Air Cadets the following units will move to…

Gold standard employers celebrated

On 23rd October 2024 fourteen organisations from across the wider West Midlands area attended an awards ceremony in Shropshire to receive their Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Awards, recognising their exceptional level of support to the Armed Forces community. Held at Lilleshall House and Gardens in Shropshire – home to one of the UK’s National Sports Centres and the Royal British Legion’s…

Volunteering with Cadets – a way of life

The word ‘Cadets’ evokes fond and happy memories to so many people, and for some, the Cadet Forces become a huge part of their lives from childhood and throughout adulthood. We spoke to Colonel Nigel Sarling, whose passion for the Army Cadet Force (ACF) has taken him on a 48 year adventure (so far) from Cadet to Cadet Force Adult Volunteer and most…

Estates team welcome changes

Our Estates Team have embraced the introduction of the Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS). Having successfully completed the necessary pre FDIS contract training courses provided by Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) meant that they were able to proceed with the implementation date of 1st August 2024. As a part of the new FDIS Hard Facilities Management contract, we retain the responsibility for the management,…

Employers receive coveted Ministry of Defence Award

Thirty seven employers from the West Midlands region have been presented with their Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards. Our awards took place on Wednesday 11th September, at the National Memorial Arboretum. The ERS awards are now in their 10th year and continue to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The scheme encompasses bronze,…

New Chief Executive for West Midland RFCA

Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Maybery took on the role of Chief Executive at the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) in December 2017 after a 35 year career in the regular Army. After nearly seven years in the Colonel Maybery is retiring and handing over to Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Richard Hopkins. Colonel Maybery commented: “It’s been an enormous privilege to have been…

Organisations win Gold Award for supporting Armed Forces community

  193 organisations, nationally, have been recognised with a Gold Award from the UK Government, the highest badge of honour for supporting the Armed Forces community.   The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award recognises the positive role that employers play in supporting defence and inspiring others to do the same.   This year organisations of all sizes, from all sectors and from…