Wales Reserves Forces’ and Cadets’ Association

The Wales RFCA maintains the estate, provides support to the three Services and connects defence with society through the provision of an extensive ‘network of networks’ in Wales.

Latest news

Ten Welsh organisations strike Gold

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

The ten employers from across Wales were recognised for the outstanding support they give to the armed forces community at the awards ceremony held at HMS CAMBRIA, Cardiff Bay on 26 September.

The awards evening began with a drinks reception and music from Cerys Rees, regimental harpist of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh. Guests were also entertained by the Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh.

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His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Certificates of Merit awards

Nominations are now open for His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Certificate Of Merit awards.

The awards, hosted by RFCA for Wales, recognise outstanding service by reservists and cadet force adult volunteers, and are intended to supplement the New Year and Birthday Honours lists.

Lord-Lieutenants will give out these awards at 8 ceremonies in each of the preserved counties of Wales.

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New Caldicot Joint Cadet Centre

The new Joint Cadet Centre (JCC) project is the latest development in the Reserve Estate Optimisation Programme (REOP) in Wales, which aims to modernise existing cadet centres and create new, efficient facilities to benefit today’s reserve forces and cadets.

It was built on the site of the old Army Cadet Force building in Mill Lane, Caldicot, which was razed to the ground to make way for the bespoke building shared by both army and air cadets in the town.

During the build, the cadets from Caldicot Army Cadet Force moved just a short distance away to Jubilee Way, taken in by the air cadets of 2012 (Caldicot) Squadron.

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New report celebrates the positive impact of the cadet forces in Wales

The report, titled ‘Getting an Edge: The Impact and Value of the Cadet Forces in Wales’ was carried out by Professor Simon Denny, Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Peterson-Young of the University of Northampton.

Commissioned by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) for Wales, the study found that participation in the cadet forces led to increased social mobility, improved educational outcomes and enhanced employability.

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Silver ERS winners 2024

19 of Wales’ top forces-friendly employers have been recognised with a prestigious award.

Representatives from the receiving organisations were presented with the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2024 at the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay, on Wednesday 17 July.

They were also honoured guests at the 21 Gun Royal Salute to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen.

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19 Ministry of Defence Silver ERS Award winners in Wales

We’re delighted to announce that an amazing 19 organisations in Wales have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2024.

The prestigious Defence Silver ERS Award recognises employers who have actively demonstrated their support for the Armed Forces community through implementing practical policies in the workplace. 

The 19 winners will be invited to receive their award at a special ceremony in Cardiff on 17 July.

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Cardiff Business Club signs Armed Forces Covenant

The event began with an address from Major General Duncan G Forbes, the Royal Navy’s Director of Strategy and Policy, and Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff. He gave a shout out to his old captain and mentor Brigadier Jock Fraser, who retires this summer, before fittingly highlighting his lecture’s theme of legacy.

The Major General discussed the broad strategic context of the Navy’s current work, while promising to use the occasion to tell stories, kindle relationships and rest.

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12 people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd

The efforts of 12 people from across Gwynedd, including two young cadets, have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, 7 people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by the Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Edmund Bailey Esq CStJ FRAgS.

The recipients were: Petty Officer Andrew Westall of Holyhead Sea Cadet Corps; Captain Michael Evans and Adult Under Officer Sharon Garland, both of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force; Major Aled ‘Rhys’ Jones and Officer Cadet Nyah Lowe, both of Wales Universities Officers’ Training Corps; Civilian Instructor Geoffrey (Geoff) Ward of No 2 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets, and Major Bernie Pagent of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales (Wales RFCA).

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12 people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Gwent

The efforts of 14 people, including 9 young cadets from across Gwent have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, 5 people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Brigadier Robert Aitken CBE CStJ in the awards ceremony at Chapman VC House, Cwmbran, on Thursday 11 April.

The 5 recipients were: Chief Petty Officer Robert Evans of HMS CAMBRIA; Staff Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major Ehsan Iqbal of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force; Pilot Officer Sarah Louise Beach, and Warrant Officer Joanna Holley, both of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets, and Major Stephen John, Schools Cadet Expansion Officer for Wales RFCA.

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Twelve people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd

The efforts of twelve people from across Clwyd have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, six people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Henry George Fetherstonhaugh OBE FRAgS, in the ceremony at Hightown Barracks, Wrexham on Thursday 21 March.

They were Lieutenant Commander Graham Oliver of HMS Eaglet; Warrant Officer Gary Johnston of HMS Eaglet, Able Seaman  Edward Ditchfield of HMS Eaglet; Regimental Sergeant Major Instructor  Paul Burrows of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force; Major Charmaine Lloyd of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force and Staff Sergeant Instructor Stephen Davies of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force.

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Ten people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed

The efforts of ten people from across Dyfed, including two young cadets, have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, 5 people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Miss Sara Edwards. The ceremony took place at the Ivy Bush Royal, Carmarthen, on Thursday 7 March.

The 5 were: Colin Sharp and Hilary Anderson, both of Milford Haven Sea Cadet Corps; Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Lucy Killick RNR of Llanelli Sea Cadet Corps; Staff Sergeant Instructor Colleen Chinnery, and Staff Sergeant Instructor Kirsty Richards of Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force.

During the evening, 3 long service and volunteer service awards were presented to members of the Sea Cadet Corps.

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Royal recognition for eight people

Eight  people have been awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan Mrs Morfudd Meredith.

The eight were Chief Petty Officer Paul Jones of HMS CAMBRIA; Petty Officer (SCC) Alan Lewis of Newport Sea Cadet Corps; Captain Chris Cooper and Staff Sergeant Instructor Richard Cooper both of Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force; Captain Jayne Simpson of Gwent and Powys Army Cadet Force; Flight Lieutenant Jeffrey Thomas and Flight Sergeant Stuart Ansell both of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets and Rick Hallett of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales.

They were presented with their award in recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, at the Lord-Lieutenant’s annual award ceremony held HMS CAMBRIA in Cardiff Bay on Thursday, 22 February 2024.

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Outstanding service and devotion to duty recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan

Two people have been awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Professor Peter Vaughan QPM CStJ.

The two award recipients are Flight Lieutenant Matthew Hackett and Reverend Bernard Jones, both of No 1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets. Their awards recognise their outstanding service and devotion to duty, and were presented at the Lord-Lieutenant’s annual award ceremony at Pontypridd Army Reserve Centre on Thursday 8 February 2024.

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Fifteen people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan

The efforts of 15 people, including four young cadets, from across West Glamorgan have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

In recognition  of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, eleven people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Mrs Louise Fleet JP, in the ceremony at John Chard VC House, Swansea on Thursday 25 January.

The achievements of the Lord-Lieutenant’s four cadets were also recognised and celebrated during the event attended by more than 100 people.

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Four people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Powys

The efforts of four people from across Powys have been recognised by the King’s representative for the county.

Two people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by Mrs Tia Jones in recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, in the ceremony at the Elephant and Castle Hotel in Newtown on Thursday, 11 January.

The achievements of her two Lord-Lieutenant cadets were also recognised and celebrated during the event attended by around 50 people.

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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’.

Archive news

2023

• Hard Facilities Management services for the Volunteer Estate to be delivered by the MOD Built Estate contracts
• 10 Welsh organisations strike gold at Hensol Castle
• RFCA for Wales welcome more than 130 guests to annual briefing
• Employers thanked for supporting reservists at a special awards evening in Cardiff
• Young people honoured by Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd
• Seven people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan
• Ten people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd
• Young people honoured by Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed
• Royal recognition for two young people
• Fifteen people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Gwent
• Twelve people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan
• Teenagers honoured by Lord-Lieutenant of Powys: January 2023

See more news stories from the RFCA

Contact information

Phone: 02920375735

Email: wa-info@rfca.mod.uk

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Facebook: @rfcawales

Twitter: @RFCAforWales

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