Reserve Forces Cadets Associations
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
Royal recognition for eight people
Copyright: RFCA for Wales
Eight people have been awarded the Lord-Lieutenants Certificate of Merit by His Majestys 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-Lieutenants annual award ceremony held HMS CAMBRIA in Cardiff Bay on Thursday, 22 February 2024.
Outstanding service and devotion to duty recognised by His Majestys Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan
Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glam Awards. Copyright: RFCA for Wales.
Two people have been awarded the Lord-Lieutenants Certificate of Merit by His Majestys Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan, Professor Peter Vaughan QPM CStJ.
The two award recipients are Flight Lieutenant Matthew Hackett andReverend Bernard Jones, both of No1 Welsh Wing RAF Air Cadets. Their awards recognise their outstanding service and devotion to duty, and were presented at the Lord-Lieutenants annual award ceremony at Pontypridd Army Reserve Centre on Thursday 8 February 2024.
Fifteen people recognised by His Majestys Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan
The efforts of 15 people, including four young cadets, from across West Glamorgan have been recognised by the Kings representative for the county.
Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan Awards. Copyright: RFCA for Wales.
In recognition of their outstanding service and devotion to duty, eleven people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenants 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-Lieutenants four cadets were also recognised and celebrated during the event attended by more than 100 people.
Four people recognised by His Majestys Lord-Lieutenant of Powys
Lord-Lieutenant of Powys Awards. Copyright: RFCA for Wales
The efforts of four people from across Powys have been recognised by the Kings representative for the county.
Two people were awarded the Lord-Lieutenants 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.
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 peoples 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 Johns 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 UKs 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 couldnt 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 Tracys 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
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 we