Reserve Forces

Successful start to 2024 for No. 605 Squadron

Across our region the Reserve Forces have been busy completing training, taking part in exercises and activities at their units and in the community.  Reservists from our only West Midlands based Royal Auxiliary Air Force Reserves at No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron have been no different. As well as helping to support a number of community events, International Women’s Day, West Midland…

Marston’s affirm support to Armed Forces with a cook off

Marston’s celebrated its partnership with the Armed Forces as CEO Justin Platt, Officer, sealed the company’s support to veterans, Armed Forces personnel, and their families by re-signing the Armed Forces Covenant. Marston’s has been awarded the Silver Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and are working towards achieving the Gold Award, through driving engagement with the Armed Forces and offering employment opportunities….

Army Reserves run event week for local community

Employers from across Shropshire gained a special ‘behind the wire’ insight into their local Army Reserve Centre in Dawley Bank. Home to D (Shropshire) Squadron The Royal Yeomanry, forces-friendly employers were invited to spend the day at the centre as part of the squadron’s wider engagement week. The week aimed to bring the community and the military together to learn more about the…

Royal Naval Reserve take part in Ski Champs

14th January 2024 saw the start of this year’s Royal Navy Snowsports Festival – the Royal Navy’s annual sporting event for alpine and telemark skiing, as well as snowboarding. Representing HMS FORWARD in Birmingham, a small group from the Royal Navy Reserves Medical Branch signed up and Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander Vincent tells us how they got on. “We were a mixed bunch, ranging from…

Royal Military Police Reserves take on PARAS’ 10 mile tab

Five members of 116 Provost Company, Royal Military Police Reserves tested their endurance by taking part in the PARAS’ 10 Challenge in the lead up to the Remembrance weekend. Their team, comprising of Captain Thompson, Sergeant Karim, Corporal Camp, Corporal Holyoak and Lance Corporal Bailey, each completed a cross country 10 mile booted tab whilst individually carrying 35lbs.  Based on the gruelling 10…

Gold standard employers honoured for supporting Armed Forces

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 – also home to one of the UK’s National Sports Centres and the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre…

WM RFCA supports Exercise Dragon Barbarian Nepal

Our Association actively promotes and supports the Reserve Forces and Cadets in our region, including the maintenance and upkeep of the Reserve and Cadet estate, advocacy and support through employer engagement and wider engagement, and the provision of the full-time staff at our regional Army Cadet Force Headquarters.  A small part of our role is also to provide grants and funding towards training…

Yukon hosts Exercise DRAGON FIREWEED

In August, 14 personnel from 37 Signal Regiment and two from 2 Signal Regiment embarked on a two-week adventure training exercise in the Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory. Read Sergeant Shaw’s account of their summer expedition – Exercise DRAGON FIREWEED – below: “The Yukon is in the North-Western corner of Canada and is bordered by Alaska and the Northwest Territories. The…

Military police support local policing in partnership programme

Serving members of the Royal Military Police (RMP) have joined forces with the South Staffordshire local policing team in a new partnership initiative. Starting on the 19th September, Corporals Katie Butlin and Michael Knapper have embedded with neighbourhood officers in the south of the county. They have been vetted and trained to the same standards as their existing officers and will be part…