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

Young people honoured by Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed

Four young people from Dyfed have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant Cadets for 2023 at an awards ceremony in Carmarthen.

Leading Cadet Annis Henton of Fishguard Sea Cadet Corps, Leading Cadet Ben Power of Milford Haven Sea Cadet Corps, Petty Officer Cadet Luke Coburn of Tenby Sea Cadet Corps and Staff Cadet Warrant Officer Charlie Edwards of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets were presented with the badge of their appointment, which will last for one year.

They were appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, at an awards ceremony at Picton Barracks, on Thursday, 16 March.

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Royal recognition for two young people

Two teenagers have been appointed as Lord-Lieutenant cadets for South Glamorgan for 2023.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Kevin Titus of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets and Able Cadet Sean Edwards of Barry Sea Cadet Corps were appointed by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Sir Brooke Boothby, on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Morfudd Meredith at a ceremony held on Thursday, 2 March at Maindy Barracks, Cardiff.

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

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Twelve Welsh organisations strike Gold at Hensol Castle

Twelve employers have been presented with the prestigious Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award at a special ceremony at a Welsh Castle.

The 12 employers from across Wales were recognised for the outstanding support they give to the Armed Forces Community at the awards ceremony held at Hensol Castle on 1 December.

The glittering awards evening began with a drinks reception with guests treated to music provided by The Royal Air Force Salon Orchestra.

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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.

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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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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