West Midlands employers recognised by Ministry of Defence Awards
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are very pleased to announce that 23 organisations in their region are confirmed as Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award winners for 2022. In addition a further eight employers have had their ERS Silver Awards from 2017 revalidated for their continued commitment. A dedicated awards ceremony will be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in…
RBSL Land are proud to support the Armed Forces community
Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) is a defence engineering company specialising in the design, manufacture and support of military vehicles used by the British Army and international customers. RBSL’s current workforce is made up of over 10% of Armed Forces veterans from all services and at all levels of the organisation, from its leadership team to its shop floor. The company, which has…
Windsor Academy Trust – Supporting the Armed Forces Community
The Windsor Academy Trust family is made up of 1,000 committed, inspiring and talented staff. This diverse group includes Armed Forces veterans, Reservists and staff who support the Armed Forces through various activities, such as national events and cadet organisations. One such staff member is Pete Jones, an Armed Forces veteran and teacher at Kingswinford Academy who joined the Windsor Academy Trust family…
Highlighting the benefits of veteran support services
Walk Talk Action is a not-for-profit charitable organisation that helps veterans back to a better state of mind through walking, talking and taking action towards achieving their goals. The organisation has helped over 500 people directly and hundreds more alongside, indirectly. Teri Elder, the founder of WTA, explained more about their organisation’s aims and support, saying: “We believe it is important to help…
A Reservist and their mobilisation
Did you know that, as a Reservist, you can be deployed anywhere around the world? Gunner Heseltine, an Army Reservist with 210 Battery, 103 Regiment RA based in Wolverhampton, has been a Reservist for just over three years. In March this year he returned from a six-month deployment to Estonia for Op CABRIT – NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States. “Being…
Military reserve exchange programme
A British Artillery Officer’s exchange with 1-125 Field Artillery, Minnesota National Guard People often think of the differences when they work with military from another country, but what is actually most interesting are the similarities. It is heartening to know that some things are universal. In order to be able to pack correctly for what would be an extended stay in the US,…
Army Cadet inspires others to join
The Cadet Forces can offer a wealth of unique experiences and fun activities, and our Association is proud to support and champion the positive opportunities they can bring to our young people. Who better to tell us about these amazing experiences than a member of the Army Cadet Force? Corporal Kenyon tells us about his Army Cadet highlights so far… “I am Corporal…
Volunteer champions benefits of joining the Army Cadets
A volunteer from Shrewsbury is encouraging other adults in Shropshire to consider taking up volunteering opportunities to enhance the lives of young people in the region. Second Lieutenant Martin Dowley, 51, has been a volunteer with Shropshire ACF (Army Cadet Force) for the past two years, and is currently the Detachment Commander of the Pontesbury Detachment. He joined the ACF as a Cadet Force…
Why become a Civilian Instructor with the cadets?
A Civilian Instructor (CI) with the RAF Air Cadet speaks about their journey and the joys of the role. “I’ve always wanted to join the RAF but life somewhat got in the way, then at the tender age of 51 I got to live my dream! “With trepidation I made an appointment to meet with Flight Lieutenant Martin Fulloway of 151 Leominster Squadron…
Stoke-on-Trent Sea Cadets awarded Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
Stoke-on-Trent Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets, a uniformed youth organisation, have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS); the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. The unit, based at the Army Reserve Centre in Bucknall in Stoke-on-Trent, is one of four hundred detachments that are part of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets. Each unit…