Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter
April 2026
Our Vision
“To be an enduring and essential pillar in the delivery of support for the well-being of the Reserves and Cadets and, through our effectiveness and our position in the regions, to be the independent body that represents their interests and promotes understanding between the Armed Forces and civil society”
LATEST NEWS
Reserve Link Spring 2026
Access it via the link in below and please share with colleagues who may be interested!
RESERVES NEWS
Championing the Value of Reserve Service
OXFORD UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON
Oxford University Air Squadron (OUAS) onboards University Students across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. University Air Squadrons play a vital role in inspiring, training, and developing the next generation of Royal Air Force leaders.
From leadership training weekends to flying sorties, OUAS delivers a packed programme that blends aviation skills, personal development, and military ethos. Many of the activities are based on core RAF principles of leadership, communication, and professional excellence, all of which are reinforced at RAF Benson, the unit’s home base.
Check out this video on their Facebook page from their latest ski trip!
HMS KING ALFRED SUPPORTS HMS AFFRAY COMMEMORATION
HMS King Alfred was honoured to support the HMS AFFRAY Commemoration Service on Sunday, standing alongside veterans, civic leaders and the local community.
RESERVIST SPOTLIGHT: AS1 JEZ SCOTT
AS1 Jez Scott of 501 Squadron Royal Air Force has built an impressive 10-year Reserve career, supporting operations in the UK and overseas, including deployments to the Falkland Islands and RAF Akrotiri. Alongside civilian life, he has developed specialist driving and instructional skills while embracing the camaraderie, pride and opportunities that come with Reserve service.
Jez encourages anyone considering becoming a Reservist to embrace every opportunity, build strong friendships and enjoy experiences that can shape both military and civilian careers…read more.
RESERVES DAY & ARMED FORCES DAY
With Reserves Day and Armed Forces Week approaching, now is the perfect time for organisations to start planning how they will show their support to the Armed Forces community.
Whether you’re recognising Reservists in your workforce, sharing your support online, or planning activity across the week, the toolkit provides a simple starting point.
You can also find out more on the official Armed Forces Day website HERE.
DO YOU WANT TO BE A RESERVIST?
Connect with the Defence Community
CADET NEWS
Promoting the Cadet Experience
‘CADET FORCE HAS GIVEN ME A FUTURE I WANT’
An army cadet taking part in an exclusive training course said being part of the service had “made him a better person overall” and given him a direction in life.
Seventeen-year-old Noah said being part of the army cadets “gives me a future I want”, saying he had developed social and leadership skills since joining over four years ago.
Speaking at the Master Cadet training course in Frimley Park, Surrey, he said although he had initially joined under duress from his family, the group had now shaped the career he wanted to pursue.
Noah, part of the South West London cadet force, said he joined after his mother, who was also previously a cadet, forced him to when he “wasn’t that sociable”. Read the full story here.
Historic First as Volunteer Cadet Corps Conducts Ceremony of the Dues at the Tower of London
The Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC) made history on Tuesday 21 April 2026, becoming the first youth organisation ever to conduct the Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues at the Tower of London, as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations.
The Ceremony of the Dues is a tradition dating back to the 14th Century, when ships entering the Port of London were required to pay a levy to the Constable of the Tower. In 1381, King Richard II decreed that every vessel arriving upstream to the City of London must present “two roundlets of wyne”, a custom that has endured for over 600 years.
Traditionally carried out by Royal Navy sailors, the ceremony remains a powerful symbol of the relationship between maritime service, the Crown and the City of London…read more.
This month, our Chief Executive, Colonel (Retd) Patrick Crowley, was delighted to present Seaford Detachment, Sussex Army Cadet Force with a new banner on behalf of the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment Combined Charities.
BUILDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Major Jim Chappell, Area Commander for the Eastern Area of the Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadets, recently attended the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Eid Milan celebration at Chalvey Community Centre in Slough, alongside his family.
THE ULYSSES TRUST BACKS CADETS ON TREK TO EVEREST BASE CAMP
The Ulysses Trust is proud to support army cadets taking part in the cadet element of the newly announced Xtreme Everest expedition, led by adventurer Jordan Wylie MBE — a Ulysses Trust Ambassador and Army Cadets National Ambassador. As part of the project, ten cadets from across the UK will take on a fully funded trek in Nepal to Everest Base Camp in April 2028, developing confidence, resilience and leadership in one of the world’s most iconic mountain environments.
The expedition will take Jordan from the Dead Sea (–430 m) across land and sea to Nepal, building towards a 2028 summit attempt on Mount Everest (8,848 m). As part of his journey, the cadet team will join Jordan for a carefully planned trek from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp (EBC) — with all cadets and cadet force adult volunteers (CFAVs) supported by the Ulysses Trust, so that cost is not a barrier to participation…read more.
FREE sailing and windsurfing courses to the children and partners of serving personnel and reservists from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A CADET FORCE ADULT VOLUNTEER?
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT NEWS
Encouraging Employers to Support Defence
Is your organisation doing enough to support the Armed Forces community?
MARITIME SOLENT AND WHITE ENSIGN ASSOCIATION LAUNCH COLLABORATION ON UK’S FIRST MILITARY-TO-MARITIME PATHWAY
A new collaboration between the White Ensign Association (the WEA) and Maritime Solent aims to strengthen workforce resilience by connecting Naval talent with maritime careers across the Solent region.
The White Ensign Association (the WEA) and Maritime Solent have announced a new collaboration to support the development of the UK’s first military-to-maritime pathway, developed through a cluster-led approach in the Solent, creating opportunities to connect Naval service leavers, veterans and families with the maritime workforce in the region.
The initiative was marked at the Maritime Solent Summit in Portsmouth on 15 April, where Maritime Solent formally signed the Armed Forces Covenant, reinforcing its commitment to the Armed Forces community and strengthening links between defence and industry…read more.
BRIDGEWORKS LTD SIGN THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT
SERFCA recently supported Bridgeworks Ltd in signing the Armed Forces Covenant aboard HMS VICTORY, co-signed by the ship’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Steve Cass.
By signing the Covenant, Bridgeworks has publicly committed to supporting veterans, reservists and military families, recognising the valuable skills, discipline and experience they bring to industry. The pledge also reinforces the company’s strong values, strengthens ties with Defence partners, and highlights its commitment to ensuring no employee is disadvantaged by military service.
HAS YOUR ORGANISATION SIGNED THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT?
ESTATES
Providing the best place to work and train
ALTERNATIVE VENUES
Alternative Venues South East has a range of interesting buildings in an area stretching from Oxfordshire to Kent. They include 19th Century Houses and modern state-of-the-art training facilities, all of them large well-equipped Army Reserve Centres and Cadet detachments – ideal for business, sporting, training and social activities. Most of the venues are available seven days a week and all of the Army Reserve Centres have professional catering facilities and secure parking.
VENUE OF THE MONTH:
SURREY CADET TRAINING CENTRE
Being just off the A3 this venue is highly accessible from London. Ideal for day time training and longer-term lettings
- The conference room for up to 15 people makes a great meeting space.
- The dining room can accommodate up to 50.
- Fully equipped kitchen; can be utilised Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
- Affordable pricing
Interested in hiring this venue? Get in touch today!
MANAGING THE VOLUNTEER ESTATE, RESERVE AND CADET BUILDINGS
JOB VACANCIES
Our staff are employed as Crown Servants, with flexible working arrangements offered. We also offer generous benefits and a supportive atmosphere. Follow us on Indeed to be alerted of new vacancies:
If you’re thinking of joining our team, find out more About Us and what we’ve been working on in our Latest News
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
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