The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales

RFCA for Wales is the enabling voice for reserves and cadets in Wales. It maintains the estate, provides support to the three Services and connects defence with society through the provision of an extensive ‘network of networks’.

Latest news

RFCA for Wales welcome 130 guests to Annual Briefing

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales welcomed more than 130 guests to its Annual Briefing.

The event on Thursday 20 October took place at HMS CAMBRIA in Cardiff Bay, and was attended by a diverse audience including members of the Armed Forces community, partner organisations, employers, and other key stakeholders.

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Employers thanked for supporting reservists ‘to keep on marching’ at a special awards evening in Cardiff

An amazing 22 Welsh organisations have been presented with the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2022.

The employers from across Wales were recognised for the support they give to the Armed Forces Community at a special event held at the National Museum Wales, Cardiff on September 22.

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Falklands 40: A Veteran recalls his experiences of the Falkland’s war

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Manny Manfred was 30-years old, married with a young son and living in Warminster when the telephone rang and the codeword for recall came through. At the time he was a Sergeant in ‘A’ Company of 3rd Battalion of The Parachute Regiment.

Immediately he packed his bags and headed for the barracks in Tidworth, Hampshire, where his unit was based. Within 72 hours the unit had moved to Southampton to board a P&O cruise ship to set sail south to play their part in the Falklands War. Lasting 74 days, the conflict was the first military action since the Second World War that utilised all elements of the Armed Forces, with 255 British personnel losing their lives.

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Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd celebrates high achievers from the Armed Forces community

Cadet Flight Sergeant Ysanne Duncan of No2 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets has been recognised by the Queen’s representative for the county and appointed as a Lord-Lieutenant cadet for Gwynedd for 2022.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Edmund Seymour Bailey Esq CStJ FRAgS appointed Cadet Flight Sergeant Duncan at an awards ceremony at Caernarfon Army Reserve Centre, Caernarfon, on April 28.

Read the full story in English or Cymraeg:
Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd celebrates high achievers from the Armed Forces community.
Arglwydd Raglaw Gwynedd yn dathlu perfformwyr uchel o gymuned y Lluoedd Arfog.

Fourteen people recognised by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan

The efforts of fourteen people, including seven young cadets, from across Mid Glamorgan have been recognised by the Queen’s representative for the county.

Able Cadet David Morgan of Porthcawl Sea Cadet Corps, Cadet Corporal Nyah Pope of Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force, Cadet Flight Sergeant Garyn Kiff of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets and Cadet Flight Sergeant Corey Luke of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets for Mid Glamorgan for 2022.

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Five teenagers recognised by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd

Five teenage cadets from across Clwyd have been recognised by the Queen’s representative for the county.

Cadet Corporal Isabella Jones and Cadet Corporal Ciara Venables both of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force; Cadet Sergeant Maddie Bunn and Cadet Sergeant Bethan Shutt both of St Brigid’s School Combined Cadet Force and Cadet Flight Sergeant Kristian Harrison of No 2 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets for Clwyd for 2022.

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Royal recognition for Dyfed cadets

Four teenagers from Dyfed have been appointed as the Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2022 at a virtual awards ceremony.

Able Cadet Adam Hughes of Tenby Sea Cadet Corps; Able Cadet Maisie Millichip of Fishguard Sea Cadet Corps; Cadet Flight Sergeant Bethany Valentine of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets and Cadet Corporal Martha Ashcroft of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets were appointed by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards at an awards ceremony on Thursday, March 10.

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Royal recognition for two teenagers

Two teenagers have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets for South Glamorgan for 2022.

Leading Cadet Crystal Neil of Penarth Sea Cadet Corps and Leading Cadet Christopher Robinson of Fitzalan School Combined Cadet Force were appointed by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Mrs Morfudd Meredith at a virtual ceremony held on Thursday, February 24.

The role, which lasts for a year, includes attendance with Mrs Meredith, who acts as the Queen’s representative, at a number of official engagements such as remembrance events, royal visits and parades.

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Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent praises his cadets for being great ambassadors for their organisations

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent, Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE has paid tribute to his outgoing cadets at a virtual ceremony in which he welcomed his new cadets appointed for 2022.

Brigadier Aitken praised his outgoing cadets for being able to speak fearlessly and confidently to all manner of people not just about themselves but about their cadet organisations.

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Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan pays tribute to reserves and cadets in the county

The Queen’s representative for West Glamorgan has praised the dedication and commitment of reservists, volunteers and cadets for the service they give to the country and our communities. Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Mrs Louise Fleet JP was speaking at her virtual annual awards ceremony, held on Thursday, January 27.

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Teenagers honoured by Lord-Lieutenant of Powys

4 teenagers from Powys have been appointed as the Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2022 at a virtual awards ceremony.

Cadet Colour Sergeant Stephanie Chaplin, Cadet Corporal Grace Buschini, Cadet Sergeant Erin Nodland and Cadet Lance Corporal Antonia Scott-Howell were presented with the badge of their appointment, which will last for one year, by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Powys, Mrs Tia Jones.

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Deputy Head of Estates awarded the British Empire Medal

The Deputy Head of Estates at RFCA for Wales has been awarded the British Empire medal (BEM) on the New Year’s Honours list.

Mrs Catherine Spiller, of Newport, has been given the honour for services to the Reserves and Cadets Forces and the community in Monmouth.

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ERS Silver and Armed Forces in Wales Awards celebrate success

The Armed Forces community has welcomed 24 Welsh organisations to the network of networks that offer support to past and present Service Personnel.

The 24 employers from around Wales were presented with the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award at the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and armed forces in Wales awards evening on 25 November 2021.

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Golden night at HMS Cambria

10 Welsh businesses have been presented with the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award at a special ceremony in Cardiff.

The joint regional event held on 17 November 2021 at HMS Cambria saw employers from Wales, West Midlands and Wessex recognised for the outstanding support they give to the armed forces community.

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RFCA for Wales welcome 130 guests to Annual Briefing

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales welcomed more than 130 guests to its Annual Briefing.

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New Chief Executive appointed to the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales

The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales is pleased to announce the appointment of Colonel Dominic Morgan OBE as its new Chief Executive.

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Champion Cadets

We support more than 4,400 cadets and over 1,200 cadet force adult volunteers in Wales. As champions of the cadet movement we promote the benefits of the cadet experience to young people’s lives.

John Challenger, Sea Cadet - awarded the British Empire Medal

Copyright: Open Government License

Have you ever thought of becoming a cadet in one of Wales’ cadet units? John Challenger, 17, explains why he thought it was so important to help keep the 2,300 sea cadets spread across North Wales and the North West together during the pandemic.

John said:

I believe that many young people have struggled with mental health, feeling unable to balance school work, cadets and keeping in touch with family and friends. However, the sea cadets has been working hard to reduce these difficulties for staff and cadets by building up networks of support that stretch throughout the country and aim to help us all through this challenging time.

Read John’s story: John Challenger talks about the importance of doing his bit to help other cadets.

Find out more about becoming a cadet.

Promote the Reserve forces

We work closely with the Reserve units (Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force) based in Wales to support recruitment and promote their role in delivering the UK’s Defence capability.

How reservist Tracy Llewellyn combines being a military musician, mum and farmer

Copyright: MOD Crown Copyright

Trombone player Corporal Tracy Llewellyn of the Royal Welsh Band says she couldn’t wish for a better part-time job which she combines with working on the family farm near Abergavenny.

After joining her local Powys Cadet Force Band at the age of 13, Tracy went onto to serve in the regular Army for 12 years as part of the Corps of Army Music before leaving to start her family.

Tracy said:

For me it means that I can do all the three things that mean the most to me, which is working on the farm, being a mum and being a military musician.

Read Tracy’s full story: Reservist Tracy Llewellyn combines being a military musician, mum and farmer.

Find out more about becoming a Reserve.

Engage with the local community and employers on behalf of defence

We work with local employers to encourage support of the Armed Forces community and recognise the valuable skill set members of the Armed Forces community bring to the workplace. Our enduring relationships with local communities continue to encourage support for reserves, cadets and the wider military family across Wales.

Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd was award the Gold MOD Employer Recognition Scheme Award (ERS) in 2020. Founded in 1968, they are one of the leading civil engineering and rail contractors working throughout Wales. In this video, Richard Bruten (Major projects Director and Army Veteran) and Amanda Holmes (HR Advisor and Veteran) talk about the forces-friendly culture within the organisation and Griffiths ongoing advocacy of the armed forces community.

Watch the full video: Alun Griffiths Limited, forces-friendly culture

Read the Full transcript for the Alun Griffiths Ltd video (ODT, 8.14 KB)

Provide the best places to work and train

We manage and maintain the 400-plus buildings that are home to local cadet and reserve units as well as provide home adaptations for injured service people living in Wales.

Described as ‘a crown jewel’ in the Defence Estate, HMS Cambria was delivered on time and on budget by RFCA for Wales in partnership with the Royal Navy and Associated British Ports (ABP). The hugely successful project has enabled HMS Cambria, Wales’ only RNR unit, to return to its original maritime home in Wales’ capital city of Cardiff.

Read the full story: Cardiff’s new £11 million HMS Cambria is ‘crown jewel’.

Contact Information

Phone: 02920375735

Email: wa-info@rfca.mod.uk

Follow us on:

Facebook: @rfcawales

Twitter: @RFCAforWales

LinkedIn: RFCAforWales

Instagram: rfca.wales

Youtube: RFCAforWales

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