Reserve Forces

Running Fusiliers raise funds for mental health causes

Six Army Reservists from A Company Fifth Regiment of Royal Fusiliers (5RRF) in Birmingham have completed an intense 300-mile run from Wiltshire to Newcastle-upon-Tyne – in just 72 hours. Tackling the challenge head on with sheer determination, each pair of runners covered approximately 33 miles per day, for three days. Setting off at 4am from the First Fusiliers Regimental Headquarters in Tidworth, the…

RAF Reservists’ Tour de Charity

Personnel from No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron have raised over £1,000 for a military charity by taking part in the RAF Reserves Cycling Challenge. Aiming to complete 3,025 miles (which was based on a total of 605 miles per trade) five teams of chefs, supply specialists, drivers, police and HQ staff attempted to cycle their respective 605 miles. The idea started following…

Herefordshire walking football sessions for the forces community

The Herefordshire Football Association has recently confirmed details of free weekly walking football sessions, with food and drinks afterwards. Two walking football sessions have been launched on the 3G pitch off of Widemarsh Common in Hereford, for those connected to the Armed Forces community and those connected to the men’s mental health community. These sessions are being run in partnership with the Defence…

West Midlands employers recognised by Ministry of Defence Awards for support to Armed Forces community

After what has been a challenging 18 months for all businesses, West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are very pleased to announce that 41 organisations in their region are confirmed as Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winners for 2021. In addition a further nine employers have had their ERS Silver Awards from 2016 revalidated for their continued commitment. This Ministry…

IT company announces paid leave for Reservists

Further to signing the Armed Forces Covenant earlier this year, Superfast IT has pledged its support by offering paid leave to employees serving with the Armed Forces Reserves. The announcement coincided with Armed Forces Week celebrations, taking place between the 21-26 June, and is part of the Birmingham IT company’s continued commitment to veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces and their families….

My journey from Reservist to Cadet Force Adult Volunteer

Petty Officer (SCC) Lisa Wood MA is the Officer in Charge of Redditch & Bromsgrove Sea Cadets. As a volunteer, Lisa has embraced the opportunity to help develop the lives of young people in her community; here she shares her journey to becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV). I served in the Royal Naval Reserves in Birmingham, at HMS Forward, for over…

A Gold Award company shows support for Armed Forces

Serve and Protect CU, a Birmingham based company, received their Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in 2020 and are fully supportive of the Armed Forces community, both in terms of employees and customers. Serve and Protect CU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, which helps to improve the financial resilience of those who serve the nation. They are here to help their members…

RAF Reserve and employer highlight benefits of employing from Armed Forces community

Senior Aircraftman Keith Herman lives in Greater Manchester but serves with 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron RAF Reserves. The Reserve unit based out of RAF Cosford, is the only RAF Reserve unit within the West Midlands area, and are specialist Logistics (Mechanical Transport Drivers, Suppliers and Chefs) and RAF Police Service personnel. Keith join the Squadron in 2017, when he was in his…

Transferable skills, military and civilian life

Sub-Lieutenant Victoria Duffield-Smith is a Reservist at HMS FORWARD, Birmingham’s Royal Naval Reserve unit. Victoria has recently assumed the role of Junior Officer Training Officer, developing the leaders of the future.  As a member of the Amphibious Warfare branch, she has experience of UK Maritime Enforcement Operations and in her civilian employment, she is currently an Inspector with Warwickshire Police, and is the…