Reserves Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales

The RFCA for Wales 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

New Joint Cadet Centre opens in South Wales

Air and army cadets in Ebbw Vale have moved into their new £900,000 Joint Cadet Centre (JCC).

The former Army Cadet Force building on Beaufort Road has been extended and reconfigured to create a new Joint Cadet Centre for use by both army and air cadets in the town.

The project, undertaken by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales, 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 cadets.

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

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

In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, four people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit by the Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd, Edmund Bailey Esq CStJ FRAgS in the awards ceremony at Bangor University, Bangor on Thursday 5th March, 2026.

These were Major Tracey Cooper, Major William LeCras, Lieutenant Aled Hughes and Warrant Officer Second Class (Company Sergeant Major) Carwyn Bee all of Clwyd and Gwynedd Army Cadet Force.

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Royal Recognition

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

The four were Lieutenant Rhys Thomas of HMS CAMBRIA, Mr Fraser Ingram of Cardiff Sea Cadet Corps, Mrs Abigail Gibbins of Cardiff Sea Cadet Corps and Squadron Leader Rhys-Thomas Challenger of No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets.

They were presented with their award in recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, at the Lord-Lieutenant’s award ceremony held at HMS CAMBRIA in Cardiff Bay on Thursday, 19 February 2026.

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Eight people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan

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

The three, Petty Officer Matthew Maguire and Petty Officer Rhys Davies both of Rhondda Sea Cadet Corps along with Pilot Officer Max Parry of  No 3 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets were presented with their award in recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, at the Lord-Lieutenant’s award ceremony held Pontypridd Army Reserve Centre on Thursday, 29 January 2026.

The achievements of the Lord-Lieutenant’s four cadets were also recognised and celebrated during the awards evening.

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

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

Three 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, 15 January.

The achievements of the Lord-Lieutenant’s two cadets were also recognised and celebrated during the event attended by around 60 people.

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His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Certificates of Merit awards

The awards, hosted by by RFCA for 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 across 2 years in each of the preserved counties of Wales.

Nominations are open for His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Certificate Of Merit awards 20262027 and 20272028.

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.

Read the full story

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’.

Supporting Veterans

We raise awareness of the needs of veterans and their families.

We champion the talent pool of capable and adaptable veterans as potential employees to employers throughout Wales.

Around 20 years ago the charity Valley Veterans was founded by Falklands War veteran Paul Bromwell, initially as an informal support group for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Having served in the Welsh Guards during the Falklands Conflict 40 years ago, Paul was all too aware of the effects of returning to civilian life after leaving the Armed Forces. He himself suffered from PTSD as a result of his time in the South Atlantic, and on his return home to the Rhondda Valley, initially struggled to get the support he needed.

Read Paul’s story here

Archive news

2025

• RFCA for Wales welcome 150 guests to annual briefing
• Twelve Welsh organisations strike Gold
• 2025 Silver ERS employers celebrated
• Celebrations as 17 Ministry of Defence Silver ERS Award winners are announced in Wales
• 10 new Joint Cadet Centres delivered in Wales
• Ten people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd in Wrexham ceremony
• Twelve people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed
• Sixteen people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord- Lieutenant of Gwent
• Eleven people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan

2024

• RFCA for Wales welcomes 100 guests to annual briefing
• Ten Welsh organisations strike Gold
• New Caldicot Joint Cadet Centre
• Silver ERS Winners 2024
• 19 Ministry of Defence Silver ERS Award winners in Wales
• Cardiff Business Club signs Armed Forces Covenant
• 12 people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwynedd
• 12 people recognised by his Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent
• Twelve people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Clwyd
• Ten people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed
• Royal recognition for eight people
• Outstanding service and devotion to duty recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan
• Fifteen people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan
• Four people recognised by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Powys

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

Email: wa-info@rfca.mod.uk

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