Reserve Forces

Reservists successfully reach Everest Base Camp

Fourteen members of 37th Signal Regiment set off on an expedition of a lifetime to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. After pre-deployment training to focus on mountain fitness, first aid and navigation in Wales at Capel Curig, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdonia) and Moel Siabod, the group flew into Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. Packing three weeks of expedition kit into 15kg duffel bags and…

‘Going For Gold’ event launches in the West Midlands

On 2nd March 2023, West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association held its first-ever ‘Going for Gold’ event at DRPG’s studios in Worcestershire. Emphasising the importance of the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, the event aimed to encourage and recognise over 90 corporate organisations, from across their region, that support those who serve in the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. Creative…

Amateur Army photographer wins the peoples vote in national competition

A photo taken by a Telford soldier whilst deployed in Mali has been revealed as the People’s Choice in a national photographic competition. Titled ‘Light them up’ the photo was taken by Lance Corporal Jamie Nolan (30) who serves in B Squadron, The Royal Yeomanry.  It triumphed over 20 photos to take the title in the documentary category of the British Photography Awards….

Army Reserves complete Skiing Expedition

159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps conducted its annual Skiing expedition during January 2023. On Saturday 21st a total of 29 personnel embarked from Luton Airport heading to Flaine, France for what would prove to be a cold, at times challenging but all-round fantastic week of alpine skiing. This year’s expedition broke down into four groups – covering SF1 (Ski Foundation 1) comprised of…

Exercise KRONOS HUNTER

In November Reservists from 37th Signal Regiment completed part of their Annual Continuous Training (also known as ACT) in both Cyprus and the UK, with key focuses on military training and range skills, with the bonus of some adventure training too. Their platoon of Reservists included a diverse range of individuals from various backgrounds, including medical school students, prison officers, fire fighters and…

Poznan to Berlin – retracing the advance

Outside of military skills training, historical studies are important to the military, they can help understand tactics and provide opportunities for reflection. In the summer, Reservists from 37th Signal Regiment travelled across the Channel for a Battlefield Study to learn in-depth knowledge about the Soviet advance from Poznan to Berlin in 1945. Their five-day visit took them to key former military structures and…

Transferrable skills of an Army Reservist

As an Army Reservists you join and train with a unit, but in some cases the Reservists have specialist transferrable skills which mean they maybe given the opportunity to go on tour with another unit. This was the case for Sergeant Shotton from 4 MERCIAN, you can read more below: MINUSMA is the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation mission in Mali. Established in…

NHS Training in Partnership with 4 MERCIAN Army Reserves

Prior to the pandemic, 4 MERCIAN (a Midlands based Army Reserve unit) were running regular dedicated training weekends in partnership with the Army’s Field Hospital units to ensure Combat Medical Technician skills for Regimental Aid Post (RAP) capabilities, were maintained. Following an elongated period of suspension this has now been re-introduced and a robust training approach not only addresses their military role, but…

Education and team building for Worcester Army Reserve unit

214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal Artillery, a Worcester Army Reserve unit, recently took part in a weekend of historical, team bonding and educational activities. It began with a brief from Brigadier Marsh on his recent experiences on OP CABRIT, the UK operational deployment to Estonia, where British troops are leading a multinational  battlegroup as part of the enhanced Forward Presence. This was followed by…