Reserve Forces

Mercian Regiment Reservists test their marksmanship in Northumberland

Reservists from 4 Battalion The Mercian Regiment have been on Exercise Saxon Shield to maintain their soldiering skills and test their marksmanship. The ten-day exercise at the Otterburn training area in Northumberland, is designed to make sure the reservists maintain a high standard of skill and readiness to deploy with regular units. It saw the soldiers complete their Military Annual Training Tests.  The…

Empowering Our Youth

Over 50 guests joined our Engagement Team for a webinar focused on exploring how the Armed Forces support youth and community groups in our region. Representatives from the Armed Forces often visit schools and colleges to deliver careers talks and showcase the roles on offer in the Military, but their work with youth within the community can often go unseen. Hosted in partnership…

Conquering the Abyss webinar

Over 35 young professionals joined a special webinar to learn more about skills to overcome challenges in their careers. West Midland RFCA ran the event in partnership with the Future Finest group at Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce. Guests were invited to listen to three military personnel who shared their experiences and insights into managing challenges and dealing with the unknown. Siamha Butt, Head…

RFCA supports Art4Charity

Key members of the Birmingham community have come together to support a unique arts initiative to raise funds for local charities. Art4Charity, a concept created by Professor Paul Cadman, Nathaniel Hanna, Nick Herd and Nik Kendall, uses the creative skills and talent of artists and creatives across Birmingham to raise funds for local causes. The ‘Forward in Unity’ mural is their latest project to…

West Midland RFCA celebrates Black History Month with webinar

On 14th October West Midland RFCA hosted a webinar to celebrate Black History Month.  The keynote speaker at the event was Horace Barnes, Chairperson at Why Are West Indian (WAWI) project.  The WAWI Project is a voluntary organisation set up in 2009 to offer workshops to schools and to bring communities together. The presentation by Horace Barnes covered some of the history of…

Move over Master Chef!

Leading Aircraftman Keith Herman from No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron RAF Reserves recently completed the Deployed Skills Course element of his chef training.  Run by 504 Squadron at RAF Wittering, the course is designed to prepare personnel, Regular and Reserve alike, to deploy into any environment and establish a functioning field kitchen within two hours. One of the challenges of the course…

ERS Gold Award winners celebrated

From today, we are joining a national celebration of those employers in our region who have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award, the Ministry of Defence’s highest level of recognition for employers who support and advocate for the Armed Forces Community. There will unfortunately not be an awards ceremony this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but we still want to…

A spotlight on inspirational women in the Navy

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of women being deployed at sea in the Royal Navy, we’re shining a spotlight on inspirational women in the Navy and their fantastic achievements. One of these inspirational servicewomen is Commodore Mel Robinson (ADC MSc FCIPD), the current Commander of the Maritime Reserves. Commissioned in 1993 as a warfare officer, she served in a number of frigates and…