Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter
April 2025
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
GLRFCA & SERFCA MP'S BRIEFING
Today, our team in conjunction with Greater London RFCA attended our ‘drop-in’ reception at Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament. The event was sponsored and hosted by our local MP, Alex Baker MP.
The event was a great success, with over 30 MPs in attendance!
See the gallery from the event here.
VE 80 DAY CELEBRATIONS
Thursday 8 May 2025 marks 80 years since VE (Victory in Europe) Day when the Second World War came to an end in Europe.
How are you planning to reflect on this historic day? Perhaps you’ll attend a local event, participate in a virtual ceremony, or simply take a moment of silence? Let us know at se-media@rfca.mod.uk
You can find out more on the official website here.
RESERVES NEWS
Championing the Value of Reserve Service
4626 Squadron RAF Reserves
4626 Squadron is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Medical Reserves provide personnel to the RAF and Defence Medical Services operational medical capabilities, including aeromedical evacuation and pre-hospital, primary and secondary healthcare. Personnel are mostly recruited from the NHS and private healthcare sector from across England and Wales.
For more information, check out their page here.
3 PWRR HEAD TO CYPRUS FOR OPERATION TOSCA
37 soldiers from 3rd Battalion the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (3 PWRR) based in Kent and Sussex deployed to Cyprus as part of the UK’s long-standing mission to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).OXFORD UNIVERSITY OFFICERS’ TRAINING CORPS (UOTC) TAKE ON THE BIG APPLE!
This month, 14 Officer Cadets and 3 staff members from Oxford University Officers’ Training Corps travelled to New York City to compete in the Rockaway Beach Half marathon.
From a tour of Ground Zero to a Broadway show, museum visits and some very creative race prep – they made the most of every moment!
Read the full update here.
What are you up to this Bank Holiday weekend?
Why not head over to the Bandstand in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens THIS SUNDAY for a performance by the Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles 🎶
The event is FREE to attend, so why not celebrate this lovely weather with a fantastic afternoon of music ☀️
DO YOU WANT TO BE A RESERVIST?
SOCIAL MEDIA
Boost engagement with video clips!
Short-form videos—like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts—are your best bet for boosting engagement and reaching new audiences. But here’s the catch: shorter is almost always better.
📏 Ideal Video Lengths:
- Instagram Reels: 15–30 seconds tends to perform best.
- YouTube Shorts: Aim for under 60 seconds.
- LinkedIn or Facebook: 30–45 seconds.
Why shorter videos work:
- Grab attention fast: You have just a few seconds to hook your audience before they scroll.
- Easier to consume: Short videos fit into busy schedules and are more likely to be watched to the end.
- Higher chance of shares: Bite-sized content is more likely to be shared with friends or colleagues.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with a strong hook in the first 3 seconds, like a bold statement or intriguing question!
CADET NEWS
Promoting the Cadet Experience
THE IMPACT AND VALUE OF SCHOOL BASED CADET FORCES IN THE UK
Cadet experience gives youngsters a clear advantage at work and further education, new study finds. Young people who join the cadets do better at school, have improved attendance and behaviour and are more likely to go to university, a new report has found.
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the University of Northampton, today launches its latest report, The Impact and Value of School-based Cadet Forces in the UK. It highlights the transformative impact of the Cadet Forces on social mobility, employability and mental health, demonstrating the immense value cadets bring to wider society, but particularly schools.
Having a cadet unit in school also has a positive impact on the resilience of pupils that are cadets according to 98.9% of head teachers surveyed.
The report findings build on previous research which found that if every year the cadet experience helps just 1% of cadets change their life outcomes so that they’re in employment, education or training, the annual costs of the cadet forces is completely covered.
Read the full update here.
FAREWELL TO WING COMMANDER HELENE GOULD
This month, Sussex Wining Royal Air Force Air Cadets bid a fond farewell to Wg Cdr Helene Gould as she steps down from the position of Officer Commanding Sussex wing after serving 8 years.
Reflecting on her time in the wing Wg Cdr Gould said: “It has been an immense pleasure and privilege to Command Sussex Wing for the past 8 years. During that time I have seen the Wing grow from strength to strength, through the hard work and dedication of the amazing volunteers, who turn up each week and give their all to support, encourage and develop our cadets. I have been supported by a brilliant staff team, who never once let me down or luckily for me, learnt to say ‘no’ when I asked them to cover yet another role! I am saddened to be leaving, but know that the future of Sussex Wing is bright and in good hands.”
HAMPSHIRE & ISLE OF WIGHT ARMY CADET FORCE: ‘EXERCISE CAMBRAI REMEMBERS’
Cadet from Hants & IoW ACF have recently returned from a battlefield tour of Cambrai & Somme, France & Ypres, Belgium, which SERFCA provided funding towards.
The purpose of the tour was for the cadets of Cambrai Company to learn about the battle of Cambrai plus other major battles of WWI. The company also used the tour as an act of remembrance to the soldiers of WWI and to find out more about the history of the company name.
CRANBROOK SCHOOL CCF RAF SECTION EASTER CAMP
Over the Easter break, Cadets from the RAF Section at Cranbrook School had an action-packed week at RAF Cranwell, where they had the chance to fly in a glider, take control of a Tutor aircraft, visit 45 & 57 Squadrons, tackle the high ropes, achieve their RAFAC Swimming Proficiency, explore the Newark Air Museum, and much more and Cranbrook RAF cadets truly shone throughout the week, earning 4 out of the 6 awards given at the end of camp.
Squadron Leader Sermon, RAF Section Commander at Cranbrook School, commented: “The cadets were outstanding during the week and have gained invaluable experiences. This week has created memories they will cherish for a lifetime!”
CALLING ALL ARMY CADET FORCE ADULT VOLUNTEERS! DID YOU KNOW…
..ANY volunteer of the Army Cadet Force can apply for a personal development bursary if they require financial assistance to register for an adult qualification recognised by the Cadet Forces.
What’s more, you can now apply for this bursary online HERE
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A CADET FORCE ADULT VOLUNTEER?
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT NEWS
Encouraging Employers to Support Defence
SERVICES INTO SPACE AND DEFENCE IN ASSOCIATION WITH BAE SYSTEMS
Thursday 15 May 2025 at The Army Flying Museum
Services into Space and Defence in association with BAE Systems is an event open to anyone connected to the forces or services and wanting to find out more about the emerging UK Space Industry and associated sectors in Defence.
A range of exhibitors including BAE Systems, AWE, Fraser Nash Consultancy and Chemring Countermeasures will be in attendance with various speakers chatting about the possibilities of working in these fields.
Come along at anytime from 0930 to 1230 for an informal look around and networking opportunity…find out more.
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:
BRAMLEY CADET TRAINING CENTRE
Based in the village of Bramley just off the M3, this is an ideal venue for conferences or training.
- Multiple training rooms and classrooms.
- Dormitory style accommodation also available.
- Vast outdoor area suitable for a number of activities, including filming (previously used for TV dramas including Midsummer Murders!)
- 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. Our current vacancies include:
- Estate Manager – Health, Safety and Compliance (HSEP) – SERFCA HQ, Aldershot.
- Cadet Stores Assistant – The Royal County of Berkshire Army Cadet Force – Reading, Berkshire
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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