Reserve Forces

Celebrating International Women’s Day

In early March we hosted an inspiring International Women’s Day event at HMS Forward, bringing together local organisations, military personnel and community networks to celebrate the incredible contributions of women in our Armed Forces and business communities. The day focussed on championing the achievements, skills and lived experiences of women, while opening up space for powerful conversations around gender equality and women’s issues….

Army Reservists take to the slopes for skiing expedition

Our Association provides funds in support of adventure training for Reserve and Cadet units and one of the latest trips we have supported is the 37 Signal Regiment’s annual skiing expedition. An account from the trip with the highlights and successes can be found below.   Exercise Dragon Sorbet is the Regiments’ annual skiing expedition to Kirtchdorf, Austria.  This year, twenty five personnel…

Reserve Centres go green

Eight Army Reserve Centres in our region are helping to reduce their carbon footprint after the installation of new EV Chargers at their sites. The project, managed by our Estates team and overseen by our Estates Officer Soft FM, saw secure plug-in charging stations installed at each centre to charge the unit’s official military vehicles and white fleet. Working in conjunction with the…

Regiment succeeds in Nordic Skiing Championships

Midlands based 159 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps  joined the annual Royal Logistic Corps’ (RLC) Nordic Skiing exercise from 23rd November to 19th December 2024. This time the event was hosted in Obertilliach in Austria, which is known for its world class biathlon stadium and traditional Austrian culture. The first two weeks saw the team training hard and fine tuning technique whilst their two…

Employers go behind the scenes at School of Technical Training

Businesses from Shropshire and Staffordshire were given a special ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse into the roles and work of No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 605 (County of Warwick) Royal Auxiliary Air Force based at RAF Cosford. Hosted by No. 1 School of Technical Training and No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron, with support from Shropshire Council and our Association, the…

Breakfast with the Army

Canley Army Reserve Centre opened its doors to invite Coventry-based businesses to join them for a morning of breakfast networking. In partnership with the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, we explored the benefits of the Armed Forces Covenant and the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, with the help of insights from our own Employer Engagement team. Keely Hancox, Operations Manager at the Chamber,…

Life as an Army Reserve soldier

Asking people why they joined the Reserve Forces always brings up different answers and motivations.  Annabel Pushman, a Reservist with 214 (Worcestershire) Battery 104 Regiment Royal Artillery, shares her perspective about what it’s like to be an Army Reserve soldier and the unique opportunities it has given her. “But, why?” Is often the reaction I receive when explaining to people what I have…