Reserve Forces and Cadets Association
Encyclopedia
Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations (RFCAs) are regional civilian bodies comprising voluntary members and a small full time secretariat. They are established by statute to offer advice and support to the Defence Council on behalf of the Reserve Forces and Cadet Movement. In particular they are responsible for:-
b. The provision and maintenance of accommodation for TA Independent units and the furnishing, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation.
c. Liaison with employers, trades unions and local authorities and relations with the public.
d. The administration and maintenance of training areas and ranges vested in them.
e. Welfare
Royal Naval Reserve
The provision and maintenance of on-shore accommodation for the RNR and RMR as required
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
a. The provision and maintenance of accommodation for RAuaxF units as required and the furnishing, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation.
b. Recruiting, publicity, welfare and liaison as appropriate.
Army Cadet Force
a. The organisation of the ACF, subject to any directions which the Defence Council may give.
b. Recommendations for the appointment of Honourary Colonels and Cadet Commandants (ACF).
c. The grant of paid acting promotion in the ranks of Captain and Major within establishment.
d. The appointment of Adult Instructors and their promotion within establishment.
e. The provision, furnishing and maintenance of accommodation.
f. The provision of non-public equipment and stores.
g. The issue, storage, maintenance and accounting of public stores.
h. The general supervision of the administration of private funds.
i. Recruiting, local publicity and promotion of good relations with the public.
j. Encouraging co-operation and good relations between the TA and the ACF.
Reserves and Cadets are based in the local community in the way that regular forces are not. They need the support of an organisation and people who are familiar with and prominent in their area. RFCA members provide this recognised point of contact throughout the community - a local Defence footprint.
Continuity.
Reserves and Cadets do not move around like their regular counterparts. It is important that relationships within the community are established and maintained over a period of time. RFCA members are long term community representatives.
Independence.
RFCAs are not part of the chain of command but are required to give advice and assistance to the Defence Council and the military of all three services at any level. RFCA members are experienced professional people interested in Defence matters.
Cadets.
The Cadet Movement (Army Cadet Force
(ACF), Air Training Corps
(ATC), Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) and the Combined Cadet Force
(CCF)) is a national voluntary youth movement, based on a military ethos, though not part of the Armed Forces. RFCAs in conjunction with the Cadet Associations and Services HQs provide essential local support.
13 autonomous RFCAs exist nationwide, consisting of over 1,800 volunteer members, with a wide cross section of expertise in financial and legal affairs, estate management, marketing and PR, employer support, youth matters and local government. All are advocates of Defence and represent their local communities. They provide a civilian network of support across the nation.
Action.
Each RFCA is allocated a budget solely to provide support to Reserve Forces and Cadets. Priorities are agreed with the respective Service Headquarters and managed expeditiously by the RFCA concerned. Through the expertise of their members, RFCAs are able to bring added value to the Defence effort.
Staff.
Each RFCA employs a small Secretariat of full time Crown Servants to serve its members and maintain the link between the civilian community and the Services.
(RNR), Royal Marines Reserve
(RMR), Territorial Army (TA) and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
(RAuxF)) and the Cadet Movement are served by an organisation dedicated to their support and well-being.
The RFCAs provide a key link between the Services and the communities, employers work places and institutions from which the Reserve Forces and the Cadet Movement volunteer.
Through the RFCAs the goodwill, understanding and support of the population - all essential to the military volunteer concept - can be nurtured and Defence promoted in general.
RFCAs, by harnessing civilian expertise and skills, reinforce the support and administration of Reserves and Cadets.
The objects of the Council are as follows:-
1. The object of the Council is to assist the Associations in promoting the efficiency and well-being of the Reserve Forces and the service cadet organisations of the United Kingdom
.
2. In order to achieve this object the Council will :-
a. Collect, compile and disseminate information relevant to the Reserve Forces and the service cadet organisations to all the constituent Associations.
b. Examine, consult upon and report about any matters submitted to it by the Ministry of defence or other relevant bodies.
c. Represent to the Ministry of Defence, or other relevant bodies, the collective opinion of the Council on any matter relating to the statutory duties of the constituent Associations.
d. Take any such action as may be decided by the Council for the attainment of its object.
e. Take action on any relevant matter at the request of one or more associations, or the Ministry of Defence.
North of England RFCA http://www.rfca-ne.org.uk/
North West of England and Isle of Man RFCA http://www.nwrfca.org.uk
Wales RFCA http://www.rfca-wales,org.uk
East Midlands RFCA http://www.eastmidlandsrfca.co.uk
The Wessex RFCA http://www.wessexrfca.co.uk/
East Anglia RFCA http://www.reserve-forces-anglia.org
Greater London RFCA http://www.reserve-forces-london.org.uk
South East RFCA http://www.serfca.org
Northern Ireland RFCA http://www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk
RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber http://www.rfca-yorkshire.org.uk
Territorial Army (TA)
a. Recruiting and publicity for units of the TA.b. The provision and maintenance of accommodation for TA Independent units and the furnishing, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation.
c. Liaison with employers, trades unions and local authorities and relations with the public.
d. The administration and maintenance of training areas and ranges vested in them.
e. Welfare
Royal Naval ReserveRoyal Naval ReserveThe Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
(RNR) and Royal Marines ReserveRoyal Marines ReserveThe role of the Royal Marines Reserve of the United Kingdom is to support the regular Royal Marines in times of war or national crisis. The RMR consists of some 600-1000 trained ranks distributed among the five RMR Centres within the UK...
(RMR)
The provision and maintenance of on-shore accommodation for the RNR and RMR as requiredRoyal Auxiliary Air ForceRoyal Auxiliary Air ForceThe Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
(RAuaxF)
a. The provision and maintenance of accommodation for RAuaxF units as required and the furnishing, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation.b. Recruiting, publicity, welfare and liaison as appropriate.
Army Cadet ForceArmy Cadet ForceThe Army Cadet Force is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 and 9...
(ACF)
a. The organisation of the ACF, subject to any directions which the Defence Council may give.b. Recommendations for the appointment of Honourary Colonels and Cadet Commandants (ACF).
c. The grant of paid acting promotion in the ranks of Captain and Major within establishment.
d. The appointment of Adult Instructors and their promotion within establishment.
e. The provision, furnishing and maintenance of accommodation.
f. The provision of non-public equipment and stores.
g. The issue, storage, maintenance and accounting of public stores.
h. The general supervision of the administration of private funds.
i. Recruiting, local publicity and promotion of good relations with the public.
j. Encouraging co-operation and good relations between the TA and the ACF.
Sea Cadet Corps (SCC)
Liaison responsibilities and assistance where possible with the provision of accommodation.Why the RFCAs exist.
Local Knowledge.Reserves and Cadets are based in the local community in the way that regular forces are not. They need the support of an organisation and people who are familiar with and prominent in their area. RFCA members provide this recognised point of contact throughout the community - a local Defence footprint.
Continuity.
Reserves and Cadets do not move around like their regular counterparts. It is important that relationships within the community are established and maintained over a period of time. RFCA members are long term community representatives.
Independence.
RFCAs are not part of the chain of command but are required to give advice and assistance to the Defence Council and the military of all three services at any level. RFCA members are experienced professional people interested in Defence matters.
Cadets.
The Cadet Movement (Army Cadet Force
Army Cadet Force
The Army Cadet Force is a British youth organisation that offers progressive training in a multitude of the subjects from military training to adventurous training and first aid, at the same time as promoting achievement, discipline, and good citizenship, to boys and girls aged 12 to 18 and 9...
(ACF), Air Training Corps
Air Training Corps
The Air Training Corps , commonly known as the Air Cadets, is a cadet organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is a voluntary youth group which is part of the Air Cadet Organisation and the Royal Air Force . It is supported by the Ministry of Defence, with a regular RAF Officer, currently Air...
(ATC), Sea Cadet Corps (SCC) and the Combined Cadet Force
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
(CCF)) is a national voluntary youth movement, based on a military ethos, though not part of the Armed Forces. RFCAs in conjunction with the Cadet Associations and Services HQs provide essential local support.
How the RFCAs are organised.
Organisation.13 autonomous RFCAs exist nationwide, consisting of over 1,800 volunteer members, with a wide cross section of expertise in financial and legal affairs, estate management, marketing and PR, employer support, youth matters and local government. All are advocates of Defence and represent their local communities. They provide a civilian network of support across the nation.
Action.
Each RFCA is allocated a budget solely to provide support to Reserve Forces and Cadets. Priorities are agreed with the respective Service Headquarters and managed expeditiously by the RFCA concerned. Through the expertise of their members, RFCAs are able to bring added value to the Defence effort.
Staff.
Each RFCA employs a small Secretariat of full time Crown Servants to serve its members and maintain the link between the civilian community and the Services.
Results of the RFCAs
The interests of Reserve Forces (Royal Naval ReserveRoyal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
(RNR), Royal Marines Reserve
Royal Marines Reserve
The role of the Royal Marines Reserve of the United Kingdom is to support the regular Royal Marines in times of war or national crisis. The RMR consists of some 600-1000 trained ranks distributed among the five RMR Centres within the UK...
(RMR), Territorial Army (TA) and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
Royal Auxiliary Air Force
The Royal Auxiliary Air Force , originally the Auxiliary Air Force , is the voluntary active duty reserve element of the Royal Air Force, providing a primary reinforcement capability for the regular service...
(RAuxF)) and the Cadet Movement are served by an organisation dedicated to their support and well-being.
The RFCAs provide a key link between the Services and the communities, employers work places and institutions from which the Reserve Forces and the Cadet Movement volunteer.
Through the RFCAs the goodwill, understanding and support of the population - all essential to the military volunteer concept - can be nurtured and Defence promoted in general.
RFCAs, by harnessing civilian expertise and skills, reinforce the support and administration of Reserves and Cadets.
The Council of RFCAs
The individual RFCA's are governed by the Council of RFCAs where each RFCA is represented on the Council by its Chairman.The objects of the Council are as follows:-
1. The object of the Council is to assist the Associations in promoting the efficiency and well-being of the Reserve Forces and the service cadet organisations of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
2. In order to achieve this object the Council will :-
a. Collect, compile and disseminate information relevant to the Reserve Forces and the service cadet organisations to all the constituent Associations.
b. Examine, consult upon and report about any matters submitted to it by the Ministry of defence or other relevant bodies.
c. Represent to the Ministry of Defence, or other relevant bodies, the collective opinion of the Council on any matter relating to the statutory duties of the constituent Associations.
d. Take any such action as may be decided by the Council for the attainment of its object.
e. Take action on any relevant matter at the request of one or more associations, or the Ministry of Defence.
External links
Lowland RFCA http://www.lowlandrfca.org.ukNorth of England RFCA http://www.rfca-ne.org.uk/
North West of England and Isle of Man RFCA http://www.nwrfca.org.uk
Wales RFCA http://www.rfca-wales,org.uk
East Midlands RFCA http://www.eastmidlandsrfca.co.uk
The Wessex RFCA http://www.wessexrfca.co.uk/
East Anglia RFCA http://www.reserve-forces-anglia.org
Greater London RFCA http://www.reserve-forces-london.org.uk
South East RFCA http://www.serfca.org
Northern Ireland RFCA http://www.reservesandcadetsni.org.uk
RFCA for Yorkshire and the Humber http://www.rfca-yorkshire.org.uk