J Taylor

Cadets fly high in engineering competition

RAF Air Cadets from 29F (Rugby) Squadron reached the finals of the national RAF Engineering Competition.  The competition, which started in 2019 and was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, had over 25 youth entries. The team’s creative design – Project Falcon – is an automated Bird Strike Prevention System designed to be used on airfields to improve safety and avoid birds colliding…

Staffordshire Army Cadets dig deep

Army Cadets from Staffordshire have been helping to create a lasting green legacy for future generations by taking part in a mass tree planting initiative for a new woodland. Luke Sedzikowski, the owner of Brockton Hall in Eccleshall, partnered with the Woodland Trust to develop a new area of woodland on his land.  With the support of the Trust he is aiming to…

Shropshire Yeomanry showcase event

West Midland RFCA’s Employer Engagement Team were pleased to be able to invite Armed Forces Covenant signatories from across Shropshire to a showcase event at D Squadron The Royal Yeomanry’s (RY) Army Reserve centre in Telford.  The event provided a platform for D Squadron RY to demonstrate the skills their Reservists gain from their military training, specific roles within the RY include Jackal…

Worcestershire Freemasons sign the Armed Forces Covenant

Worcestershire Freemasons have made a formal pledge to support former and current military personnel and their families. The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise to those who serve, or who have served, in the armed forces and their families that they should be treated with fairness and respect. The Head of Freemasonry in Worcestershire, Robert Vaughan, in company with the Deputy Lieutenant of…

159 Regiment RLC on Op TOSCA deployment

In 2021 159 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps (RLC), a West Midlands based Army Reserve unit, deployed members of the regiment to Cyprus on Operation TOSCA. The Operation is the UK’s contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) ensuring peace and stability whilst the political peace process continues. During Winter 20/21, 32 members of the Regiment and five members of 158…

Armed Forces friendly employers take home Gold Award

Fifteen businesses from the West Midlands region have been presented with the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award at a special ceremony in Cardiff. The joint regional event held on 17th November at HMS CAMBRIA saw employers from Wales, West Midlands and Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadets Associations’ (RFCA) recognised for the outstanding support they give to the Armed Forces community….

Record breaking fifty employers receive coveted Ministry of Defence Award

Fifty employers from the West Midlands region have received their Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Awards from West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA). The ERS was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces Covenant. The scheme encompasses bronze, silver and gold awards for the employers that pledge, demonstrate…

The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO launches YOU West Midlands

On Thursday 16th September 2021 The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO officially launched Youth Organisations in Uniform West Midlands (YOU West Midlands) at a special event during his visit to Birmingham YOU West Midlands is a collaboration of the 11 Youth Organisations in Uniform across Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton, who currently comprise some 20,000 young people The 11 Youth…

4 MERCIAN complete adventure training

Over the summer more than 20 members of 4 MERCIAN HQ Company took part in adventure training at the Pioneer Centre near Wolverhampton. This opportunity was partially funded by West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association and provided a great opportunity for team building, especially for the new recruits. Private James Cooling tells us more about the day: “The day started with the…

Drive to promote career opportunities in military and blue light services

A drive to promote career opportunities for young people in the military and blue light services is being supported and promoted by West Midlands Lieutenancy as part of a ‘first-time ever’ programme to encourage young people to use their skills within the uniformed services. The DRIVE initiative is designed to demonstrate that the uniformed services offer significant opportunities for young people to use…