Even more so this past year the ever increasing tensions around the world, and especially in Europe, have perhaps focused our leaders’ minds to look more closely at Defence than has been necessary in the previous two decades. There is a vital need to ensure our Armed Forces have the numbers, the equipment and the training required to do their job and I hear the drum being beaten all the time now to enhance our Reserve Forces to make that ‘vital need’ a reality. We all acknowledge and thank our Reserves, their families and their employers for their incredible commitment.
Similarly the value of our Cadet Forces to the nation has never been more regularly debated in a more positive light than now, and the importance of giving even more of our young people that sense of purpose, direction, achievement and pride that being part of the Cadet Forces brings. The selfless adult volunteers who enable this are the centre of gravity of all things cadets and must equally receive our acknowledgement and thanks.
The new Minister for Veterans and People is a leading advocate for stronger Reserves and a larger Cadet Force and will champion both as loudly as he is able. He knows that a vision without a plan is a dream, and he has a plan. We also know how difficult it is right now for all government departments financially, and a plan without resource is in danger of becoming an illusion, so we must all do whatever we can to convince and influence senior leaders, and local and national Government, to find the necessary funding.
The staff in GL RFCA are rightly proud of the support we provide to the Armed Forces Community in London: the Estates team, heavily challenged by funding constraints, are doing whatever they can to keep the 150 plus reserve centres and cadet sites operating safely; our Professional Support Staff continue to provide essential logistical and administrative support for the Army Cadet Force; and, the small RFCA Engagement team are encouraging record numbers of organisations to sign the Armed Forces Covenant and pledge extra support to those of their employees who are also Reservists or Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as they commit so much of their valuable time on our behalf.
The articles and photographs in this edition, with more online, showcase the incredible volunteer Armed Forces community in London, be it Reserves, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, cadets or anyone involved. They are resilient, adaptable and imaginative in their pursuit to generate positive outputs and this London Bridge magazine will give you a sense of some of the activities and events our London based Reserves and Cadets have been up to this past year. We salute you all.
Colonel (Ret’d) Peter Germain
Chief Executive
