East Midlands Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association
The East Midlands Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association (EM RFCA) is responsible for advising and assisting the Defence Council and the three Armed Services on matters that concern Reserves and Cadets.
EM RFCA supports reserves, cadets and the wider military community through the maintenance of the Volunteer Estate, administrative, logistical and promotional support, as well as partnerships with local employers and civic communities.
Champion Cadets
We provide support to over 10,000 cadets and over 1,500 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, from the school based Combined Cadet Force (CCF) to the community based Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) - including the Royal Marines Cadets (RMC) - the Army Cadet Force (ACF) and the RAF Air Cadets.
Army cadet sisters awarded Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet positions
Cerys (left) receives the Lord Lieutenant’s badge from sister Tegan. Copyright Aplin family 2021.
Sisters Tegan and Cerys Aplin, of North Hykeham Army Cadet Force in Lincolnshire, are a great example of the discipline and leadership taught in cadets. They have been awarded the highly esteemed position of Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, in consecutive years.
Read more about the Aplin sisters’ story.
MBE for Cadet Force Adult Volunteer
The cadet’s development and experience depends largely on the efforts of our Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. One of our longest serving volunteers, Squadron Leader Alyn Thompson, recently received an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list after 40 years of dedication to the Royal Air Force Cadets.
Squadron Leader Alyn Thompson MBE. Copyright EM RFCA 2020.
Alyn said:
The work that the Volunteers do within the Air Cadet Organisation is exceptional, and I feel most honoured to be the individual to have been granted this honour. I have been a member of the organisation since joining as a Cadet 50 years ago and find it gratifying to be granted this for something which I thoroughly enjoy.
Read more about Squadron Leader Thompson’s story.
Promoting the Reserve Forces
We work closely with over 3,000 Reservists (Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force) in the East Midlands to support recruitment and promote their role in delivering the UK’s defence capability.
Army Reservists in the fight against COVID-19
Privates Jack Bramford (left) and Ollie Wilson at the haulier testing site at Sevington in Kent. Copyright UK MOD 2021.
Soldiers from Leicester-based No 2 Company of the 3rd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment spent 2 weeks on Operation ROSE. This was the deployment of troops in support of the Department of Transport in the COVID-19 testing of all lorry drivers and hauliers bound for continental Europe.
Read more about Leicestershire Army Reservists in the fight against COVID-19.
Civilian career success
Kiera Nazarin volunteering on a Tall Ships Youth Trust voyage. Copyright K Nazarin.
Kiera Nazarin is a Royal Naval Reserve Midshipman with HMS Sherwood, who is also rising fast through the ranks of her civilian career as a Purchasing Excellence Partner for Greencore. She explains how her one career perfectly complements the other, and how the skills from both are transferable. Kiera Nazarin commented:
One of the ways that the Navy has complimented my civilian career is through leadership and management. So many of the skills I have are those which I have built up in the Navy. And vice versa, everything I learn about Project Management in my day job goes straight into my Reserve duties. It’s a win win!
Read more about Kiera’s story.
Engage with the local community and employers on behalf of defence
Our Employer Engagement team develop and sustain strong, positive, mutually-beneficial relationships between employers and defence by recognising the valuable skill set members of the armed forces community bring to the workplace.
Reservist Rosie James and Director Eddie Mewies of Gold ERS winner, M-EC Consulting. Copyright EM RFCA 2019.
Local business, Pall-Ex UK, was awarded the Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award for its efforts in supporting its Armed Forces Personnel. Managing Director Barry Byers spoke to us about how they benefit from the skills of reservists and veterans.
Silver ERS 2020 Award Winner PALL-EX UK
Find out more about the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
With 6 local education sector institutions also receiving a Silver Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award in 2020, and one achieving the prestigious Gold Award, the East Midlands is demonstrating how Education and Defence can achieve powerful results through working together.
Nine East Midlands Universities recently came together to update and re-sign their Armed Forces Covenants. Copyright University of Leicester 2020.
Read more on East Midlands education sector gives a lesson in supporting the AFC.
Provide the best places to work and train
Our Estate Management Department is responsible for running an estate of 400 buildings on 155 sites across the region. As well as maintaining the infrastructure, the department provides the utilities, furnishings and, in the case of the Army Cadet Force, the vehicle fleet.
Sobraon Barracks, Lincoln, new garages and training facilities under construction. Copyright EM RFCA 2020.
State of the art garaging and workshops for 160 Transport Squadron will provide additional facilities for 158 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps.
Read more on our latest estates projects.
Contact us
Email:
Employer Engagement contact: [email protected]
Communications and General enquiries: [email protected]
Social channels
Facebook: @EMRFCA
Twitter: East_Mids_RFCA
LinkedIn: East Midlands RFCA
YouTube: East Midlands RFCA
Instagram: East_Midlands_RFCA
Further information
Updates to this page
Published 8 March 2021Last updated 7 October 2021 + show all updates
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Added more information and articles on the RFCA in the East Midlands.
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First published.