Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter
October 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
LORD-LIEUTENANT AWARDS 2025
The 2025 South East Lord-Lieutenants awards season has come to a close and we reflect on another spectacular year!
The Royal County of Berkshire
On Thursday 9th October we hosted the Royal County of Berkshire Lord-Lieutenant Awards at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The Lord-Lieutenant awarded a British Empire Medal, 5 Meritorious Service Certificates, a Best Reservist award kindly sponsored by Equinix Inc and a Ulysses Trust CFAV awards. There were also 4 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets who were appointed for the coming year…read more
Buckinghamshire
On Thursday 16th October we were at the Gateway in Aylesbury to host the Buckinghamshire Lord-Lieutenant Awards
The Lord-Lieutenant, The Countess Howe, presented 7 Meritorious Service Awards and 4 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were appointed. In addition to these, there was the Best Reservist Award kindly sponsored and presented by Esri UK who are also a Gold ERS Award Holder…read more.
Surrey
On Tuesday 21st October we returned to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for the Surrey Lord-Lieutenant Awards Ceremony.
The Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Michael More-Molyneux, awarded 7 Meritorious Service Certificates from across all 3 Services, 1 Best Reservist Award kindly sponsored by CGI and 4 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were appointed…read more.
Kent
On Thursday 23rd October we were at a new venue for us, the prestigious Tonbridge School, for His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Kent Awards.
The Lord-Lieutenant, The Lady Bella Colgrain, awarded 13 Meritorious Service Certificates, a Ulysses Trust CFAV Award and appointed her 10 new Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for the coming year. The Best Reservist award was also sponsored and presented by RIFT Group…read more.
West and East Sussex
On Tuesday 28th October we hosted the Sussex Lord-Lieutenant Awards at Lancing College.
The Lord-Lieutenants of West and East Sussex awarded a total of 7 Meritorious Service Certificates and 7 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were appointed.
Additional awards included the Best Reservist Award (sponsored by Sussex Chamber of Commerce) a Cadet Forces Medal, a Standing Joint Command Commendation, the SSAFA Irlam Trophy and the Best Tri-Service Cadet of Sussex (sponsored by Cadet Direct).
An exciting first for this year was the Pooley Tri-Service Cadet Sword of Honour, very generously sponsored by Pooley Swords and Northern Trust…read more.
Hampshire
Our 2025 Awards season came to a close on Thursday 30th October as we hosted the Hampshire Lord-Lieutenant Awards at Lord Wandsworth College.
The Lord-Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson Esq, awarded 13 Meritorious Service Certificates from across all 3 Services, 1 Best Reservist award generously sponsored by A1 Print Services and 5 Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets were appointed…read more.
Check out the videos that were shown at each ceremony through the links below:
RESERVES NEWS
Championing the Value of Reserve Service
295 BATTERY ROYAL ARTILLERY
The only Royal Artillery Reserve Air Defence Regiment in the Army operating the High Velocity Missile weapon system. Their South East units are located in Southampton and Portsmouth.
Available roles include:
•HR Administrator
•Guided Missile Operator
•Command Post Signaller
•Officer
•Driver (including HGV)
•Logistics
•Medical Technician
•Physical Training Instructor
•Air Defence Gunner
Interested? Start your journey today:
ULTRA4VETERANS TUNISIA DESERT RACE: A 57KM MISSION FOR VETERANS’ CHARITIES
Battling 57km of scorching desert heat, Sergeant Matthew Sampson of C Company, 4th Battalion Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, took on the Ultra4Veterans Tunisia Desert Race to raise funds and awareness for veterans’ mental health.
Having overcome PTSD after combat injury, Sgt Sampson’s story is one of resilience, recovery, and remarkable determination. Read how he turned challenge into inspiration…click here
World Record Attempt in support of Children in Need!
Major William McKean from A Company, 4 PWRR (The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment) will be taking part in a world record attempt for “Most electrical energy generated by pedalling on static bicycles for 24 hours.”
Event Details:
📅 Date: 13th and 14th November
📍 Location: Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre
🕒 Time: 1200hrs on the 13th November for 24 hours
🎯 Record Attempt: “Most electrical energy generated by pedalling on static bicycles for 24 hours.”
👉 Click here to donate now Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre ‘100k Watt Challenge’ BBC Children In Need
CELEBRATING RESERVIST SUCCESS
In addition to the certificates for Meritorious Service, at each Lord-Lieutenant Awards ceremony there were the Best Reservist awards. This is open to any Reservist from all three services, of any rank any length of service. The recommendation can be for a specific action, high performance over a long period, helping others or exceptional service while deployed on operations.
The awards for each county are very kindly sponsored by organisations who are have pledged their support to the Armed Forces Covenant through the Employer Recognition Scheme.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE ON LAND AND AT SEA!
Well done to Lieutenant Sadler from HMS King Alfred who recently volunteered as a pacer at the Great South Run.
Lt Sadler’s role was to keep a consistent pace and support others to reach their goals – something she has been lucky enough to do now for the third time at this event.
Ready to make a real difference? Join an inspiring NHS Armed Forces Insight Day and uncover how your unique skills and experience could be the perfect fit for a rewarding career in the NHS.
Tuesday 18th November, 10:00am – 2:30pm
Hilton Hotel, Drake Way, Reading, RG2 0GQ.
Meet the teams from Berkshire Healthcare, Oxford Health, Royal Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire NHS Foundation Trusts: Book now https://bit.ly/4n2CwrG
DO YOU WANT TO BE A RESERVIST?
Champion the digital Veteran Card in your organisation.
The digital Veteran Card marks a significant step forward in how the UK supports its veteran community. It’s the first government-issued digital credential of its kind, offering veterans a faster, easier way to access the services, support and discounts they’ve earned, straight from their smartphone.
Working alongside the physical card, the digital version gives veterans greater flexibility, choice and convenience in how they engage with organisations like yours…find out more.
CADET NEWS
Promoting the Cadet Experience
NEW COMBINED CADET FORCE SET TO OPEN AT THE MARIST SCHOOL
The Marist School in Ascot is very excited to be launching its new programme as the leading girls’ school for Naval Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
This will become part of its curriculum in January, so they are seeking an efficient School Staff Instructor (SSI) to help set up and then run the Contingent…find out more and apply here
Closing date for applications: Friday 28th November
Congratulations to the incoming Lord-Lieutenant Cadets who have been appointed across the South East this month. We wish you every success for the coming year.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Cadets Award marks the achievement of outstanding service by an individual to their Cadet movement. A Certificate is awarded, together with a Lord-Lieutenant’s Badge which the individual is entitled to wear when in uniform.
The individual must be available to carry out their duties in accompanying their Lord-Lieutenant at certain official functions, during the year they are appointed.
TEAMWORK, CHALLENGE, AND ADVENTURE: CADETS EXCEL ON DofE EXPEDITIONS
A group of youngsters from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wing Royal Air Force Air Cadets have just returned home from a fantastic few days completing their Gold and Silver The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expeditions in the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean!
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BEING A CADET FORCE ADULT VOLUNTEER?
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT NEWS
Encouraging Employers to Support Defence
ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE ARMED FORCES VETERANS’ HUB
The event is being held at Newbury Fire Station on Monday 3rd November, 10:00am – 1:00pm. The address is Hawthorn Road, Speenhamland, Newbury, RG14 1LD.
This is an informal drop-in event and there is no need to book a place. You will receive a warm welcome and have the opportunity to meet and chat with other veterans, charities, and members of other organisations as well as current employees of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service who are veterans themselves.
Complimentary light refreshments of breakfast rolls and hot drinks will be on offer.
Find out more by visiting: Supporting the Armed Forces | Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
SHINING A LIGHT ON #ERSGOLD AT DIAMOND LIGHT SOURCE
This month, Gold Employer Recognition Scheme award holders, Diamond Light Source, invited our team here at SERFCA and some supportive employers from the South East to their Synchrotron facility at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.
The employers heard about Diamond’s Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme journey as well as the ground-breaking research that the facility supports.
Employers were then taken for a tour of the facility and got to speak to some of the scientists that work on some of the beamlines, followed by lunch and networking.
A big thank you to Sarah Macdonell and Amy Griffin for their presentations and giving the employers an insight on their journey to ERSGold. If you are an organisation that has yet to sign the Armed Forces Covenant or want to engage in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, get in touch!
HAS YOUR ORGANISATION SIGNED THE ARMED FORCES COVENANT?
ESTATES
Providing the best place to work and train
OPENING OF NEW JOINT CADET CENTRES IN OXFORDSHIRE
Both official openings were conducted by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM. Our thanks to the Army HQ Reserve Estate Optimisation (REO) Team, HQ RAF Air Cadets and South East Reserve Force’s and Cadets’ Association who funded this refurbishments
Cowley Joint Cadet Centre
Blackbird Leys Detachment Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force, 2210 (Cowley) Squadron Air Training Corps and 150 (City of Oxford) Squadron Air Training Corps will share the Joint Cadet Centre…read more
Banbury Joint Cadet Centre
This JCC will be shared by Banbury Jordan Detachment Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force and 1460 (Banbury) Squadron Air Training Corps. ..read more
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:
FARNHAM ARMY RESERVE CENTRE
Located just on the eastern outskirts of Farnham, this large and impressive Army Reserve Centre is ideal for small to medium sized meetings and conferences as well as social events.
A notable feature is the tiered lecture room which seats 50 in comfort and is equipped with a modern audio visual system. There is also a classroom for 20, again equipped with the necessary presentation aides.
The large hall can take up to 120 seated and 150 standing – perfect for both business and social events.
There is also parking for up to 30 cars.
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.
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If you’re thinking of joining our team, find out more About Us and what we’ve been working on in our Latest News
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