LONDON’S RESERVE FORCES AND CADETS Directory RESERVES CONTENTS 4 GL RFCA WHO WE ARE 5 GL RFCA WHAT WE DO 6 ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE ROYAL MARINES RESERVE 7 ARMY RESERVE RAF RESERVES 8 HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS 9 ROYAL ARTILLERY ROYAL ENGINEERS 10 ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS 11 INFANTRY 12 THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT 13 SPECIAL FORCES ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS 14 INTELLIGENCE CORPS ROYAL MILITARY POLICE 15 ARMY MEDICAL SERVICES 16 ROYAL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS NATIONAL RESERVES HQ ROYAL ARTILLERY 17 LONDON DISTRICT REINFORCEMENT TEAM CIVIL SERVICE FIRST AID NURSING YEOMANRY 18 OFFICER TRAINING 19 CADET FORCE ADULT VOLUNTEERS COMBINED CADET FORCE 20 SEA CADET CORPS ARMY CADET FORCE 21 AIR TRAINING CORPS RESERVE FORCES BY BOROUGH 23 FURTHER INFORMATION glrfca.org INTRODUCTION The Reserve Forces are an essential part of gain and develop new skills, meet and the British Armed Forces, providing some work with new people, have fun and get 35,000 volunteers to the Reserves of the paid for it. Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and RAF. As a Reservist you will get paid for the They play a fundamental role in fulfilling time you spend training and earn a major commitments in each of the three tax-free bonus payment for completing a Services. certain amount of training days each year. The Reserve Forces provide people with Pay scales are based on what a Regular the opportunity to do something different with the same job and rank would get. with their lives – to face new challenges, ELIGIBILITY The age bands vary with each of the Services: If you decide to join the Reserve Forces, you Royal Naval Reserve: 16 - 43* indicate that you are prepared to take part in Royal Marines Reserve: 16 - 32 active service. If you are subsequently mobilised, your regular employment will be legally protected. Army Reserve: 18 - 50* Reserves and their employers have the right RAF Reserves: 18 - 54 to seek exemption or deferral under certain There are situations where you may be able to circumstances. join above the upper age limit. Contact your Visit www.gov.uk/employee-reservist local unit for more information. for more information. You should be a citizen of the United Kingdom, Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland and should normally have lived in the UK for at least five years immediately prior to your application. RESERVES *higher age limits for professional and specialist applicants 3 glrfca.org WHO WE ARE The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association The 62 full time staff of GL RFCA are for Greater London (GL RFCA) is the focal Crown Servants headed up by ex-Regular point of activity and administration for officers. The 190 members of the Association Reserves and Cadets in London for all are experienced professional people three Services. We were formed in 1908 interested in defence and are drawn from at the same time as the Army Reserve and the Navy, Marines, Army, Air Force and are one of thirteen RFCAs spread across Cadets as well as London boroughs, the UK, with boundaries that broadly universities and employers. match regional Army areas. RFCAs were Uniquely, we also have a City Association established by statute and are not part of which fosters strong links with the City the military chain of command but are of London Corporation, Livery Companies required to give advice and assistance to and other City institutions to the benefit the Defence Council and the three Services of Reservists and Cadets alike. on Reserve and Cadet matters. GL RFCA IN NUMBERS: • 4,500 Reservists • 16,000 Cadets • 1,000 University Officer Cadets • 194 Properties • 32 Boroughs and the City of London • 190 Members (including the City Association) • 60 Associate Members • 62 Staff glrfca.org 4 WHAT WE DO 1. RESERVES: CHAMPIONING THE VALUE OF RESERVE SERVICE • RFCAs support all three Services and partners with regional commanders to promote Reserves. • Champions the volunteer ethos by providing an invaluable footprint within the regions. • Maintains the Reserve estate. • Engages and increases public understanding of Reserve service. 2. CADETS: PROMOTING THE CADET EXPERIENCE • Supports all four Cadet organisations. • Manages and administers the Cadet estate. • Encourages Adult Volunteer service. • Provides permanent staff for the Army Cadet Force. • Promotes the government sponsored Cadet Expansion Programme. • Helps shape the youth of today. • Highlights the fun and benefits of the Cadet experience for Cadets and Adult Instructors. 3. ENGAGEMENT: ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE RESERVES AND CADETS • Champions the volunteer ethos across London. • Supports events with organisations and individuals. • Promotes the Armed Forces Covenant. • Engages with private and public sector employers to encourage support for Reserve service. • Increases awareness and understanding of the Reserves and Cadets within the wider community. 4. ESTATES: PROVIDING THE BEST PLACE TO WORK AND TRAIN • Builds and maintains modern Reserve and Cadet centres that are fit for purpose. • Delivers a programme to renovate and improve the Reserve and Cadet estate. • Makes vital adaptions to the homes of injured Service personnel to enable greater mobility and a better quality of life. 5. RECRUITING: SUPPORTING RESERVE AND CADET RECRUITING • Supports Reserve units to achieve and maintain established manning levels. • Supports the recruit marketing of all three Reserve Services. • Reports through the Council of RFCAs on Reserve recruiting performance. • Highlights the value of Cadet service. • Provides funding to enhance the Cadet experience. • Through social media and PR, raises awareness of recruiting opportunities throughout London. 6. VETERANS: RAISING AWARENESS OF THE NEEDS OF EX-SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THEIR FAMILIES • Encourages employers to assist service leavers and their families in conjunction with the Career Transition Partnership. • Highlights charities that benefit ex-Service personnel. 7. ALTERNATIVE VENUES: GENERATING INCOME FOR THE BENEFIT OF RESERVES AND CADETS • Hiring out Army Reserve and Cadet Centres for non-military events/activities. 5 glrfca.org RESERVES ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE ROYAL MARINES RESERVE The Royal Naval Reserve is an integral part of The primary function of the Royal Marines Reserve Britain’s naval forces. Reserves are drawn from all is to reinforce the Regular Corps with individuals walks of life and train for a variety of roles to and sub-units both on operations or exercises in enable the Royal Navy to meet its operational the UK and overseas, wherever and whenever the commitments. Two of the 15 Reserve Training need arises. Successful completion of the arduous Centres within the UK are situated in London. Commando Course and the subsequent award of Volunteers serve as Officers or Ratings in a variety the Green Beret provides opportunities for of roles, including Seaman, Engineers, Logistics, specialising as Recce Leaders, Heavy Machine Maritime Trade Operations, Diving, Information Gun Operators, Anti-Tank System Operators, Systems, Information Operations, Nursing and Physical Training Instructors, Platoon Weapons Media Operations. There is also the opportunity Instructors, Landing Craft Operators, Signallers, to serve with the Joint Cyber Unit (Reserve). Drivers and Swimmer/Canoeist (SBS) (R). Royal Naval Reservists earn Navy daily rates of pay Royal Marines Reservists earn Marines daily rates and can qualify for an annual tax-free bonus. of pay and can qualify for an annual tax-free Visit www.royalnavy.mod.uk bonus. Visit www.royalnavy.mod.uk HMS PRESIDENT 72 ST KATHARINE’S WAY, LONDON E1W 1UQ ROYAL MARINES RESERVE (CITY OF LONDON) (020 7481 7300) (TUE) RM BARRACKS WANDSWORTH, 351 MERTON ROAD, SOUTHFIELDS, HMS WILDFIRE LONDON SW18 5JX (020 8871 0156) (WED) BUILDING 99B, NORTHWOOD HQ, SANDY LANE, NORTHWOOD HA6 3HP (01923 957 777) (WED) glrfca.org 6 ARMY RESERVE RAF RESERVES The Army Reserve needs fit men and women aged RAF Reservists work alongside Regular RAF between 18 and 50 (the upper age limit can vary personnel, in the UK and on overseas operations. for professional or specialist applicants) who are Royal Air Force Reservists earn RAF daily rates of able to spare an evening a week, a weekend a pay and can qualify for an annual tax-free bonus. month and two weeks a year. Training evenings are shown against unit details. 600 (CITY OF LONDON) SQUADRON RAUXAF RAF NORTHOLT, WEST END ROAD, RUISLIP HA4 6NG All recruits learn basic military skills including (020 8833 8600) (MONTHLY WEEKENDS) weapon handling, field craft, map reading and first aid before moving on to more specialised HQ SUPPORT tasks. Vacancies for men and women vary from The Squadron provides trained personnel to the unit to unit. Each unit has been listed according to RAF and Joint organisations for: Personnel Support; their specific role. Almost all units will also recruit Information Communications and Technology; Chefs, Medics, Clerks, Drivers, Vehicle Mechanics Flight Operations; Intelligence. and Stores Accountants. To learn more about these MEDICAL SUPPORT ON OPERATIONS trades, enquire with each unit directly or call the Healthcare professionals provide care to sick and Army Information Line on 0345 600 8080. injured troops on operations. Members of 600 Army Reserve soldiers earn Army daily rates of pay Squadron Medical Flight are trained to operate either and can qualify for an annual tax-free bonus. within a Medical Treatment Facility – providing both For details of Army Reserve units see pages 8-17. surgical and non-surgical care – or as a member of the Aeromedical Evacuation Team, returning Visit www.army.mod.uk seriously injured casualties back to the UK. NICHE CAPABILITIES 600 Squadron is home to the RAF Reserve Chaplaincy cadre and to Reservist Legal Officers. For more information visit: www.raf.mod.uk or call 0345 606 9069. 601 (COUNTY OF LONDON) SQUADRON Membership is by invitation only 7 glrfca.org HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY ROYAL ARMOURED CORPS The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is the THE ROYAL YEOMANRY oldest regiment in the British Army having been The Royal Yeomanry (RY) is an Army Reserve Light formed by Royal Charter in 1537 by King Henry Cavalry Regiment comprising of six sabre squadrons VIII.