South East Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association
The South East Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association (SE RFCA) provides support to the 3 services in South East England by maintaining the estate, connecting defence with society and providing the framework to deliver the cadet experience.
How we champion cadets
We support more than 25,000 cadets and over 4,200 cadet force adult volunteers (CFAV) in South East England. As champions of the cadet movement, we promote the benefits of the cadet experience to young people’s lives.
Cadet force adult volunteers awarded the King’s Coronation Medal
57 CFAV’s were presented with the King’s Coronation Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and Nigel Atkinson, the county’s Honorary Colonel. The Commandant of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force, Col Tim Hope, was keen to ensure CFAV got the recognition they deserved. He said:
Our cadet force adult volunteers put in hundreds of voluntary hours each year to ensure our cadets get the best possible instruction and support on their journey through the organisation. Being able to present the Kings Coronation Medal to those qualifying alongside the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire on a parade is one way to show our gratitude, and give our officers and instructors the recognition they deserve.
A CFAV from Hampshire Army Cadet Force is presented with the Kings Coronation Medal by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and Nigel Atkinson, the county’s Honorary Colonel. Copyright: South East RFCA.
Find out more about becoming a cadet or a cadet force adult volunteer.
Promoting the reserve forces
We work closely with the 40 reserve units (Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force) based in South East England to support recruitment, and to promote the reserve role in delivering the UK’s defence capability.
University Officers’ Training Corps - Exercise Blue Slalom
Officer Cadets at Val Thorens. Copyright: South East RFCA.
This year’s Exercise Blue Slalom took 44 Officer Cadets (OCdts) from Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter and Northumbria University Officer Training Corps (UOTCs) to Val Thorens for a week of skiing and beautiful weather. OCdts took on Ski Foundations 1, 2 and 3, improving their technique on and off the piste, as well as learning about avalanches and ski touring.
Engaging with employers and the local community
We work with local employers to encourage support of the UK armed forces community, and to recognise the valuable skill set members of the community bring to the workplace. Our enduring relationships with local communities continue to encourage support for reserves, cadets and the wider military family across the south-east.
The Jockey Club Sign the Armed Forces Covenant
Left to right: Lieutenant General Charles Collins DSO OBE, Commander of the army’s Home Command, and Baroness Dido Harding representing The Jockey Club, and Leigh Thomas - one of SE RFCA’s Regional Employer Engagement Directors. Copyright: South East RFCA.
The SE RFCA Employer Engagement team attended the prestigious Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown Park Racecourse. The event saw the formal signing of the Armed Forces Covenant by The Jockey Club.
The Armed Forces Covenant represents a pledge to support the armed forces community, recognising their contribution to the nation and ensuring fair treatment for service personnel, veterans, and their families. The Jockey Club’s decision to sign the covenant underscores their commitment to fostering meaningful connections with the armed forces and supporting those who serve.
Providing the best places to work and train
We manage and maintain the 300 buildings that are home to local cadet and reserve units as well as provide home adaptations for injured service people living in the south-east area.
The official South East Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS) handover
South East RFCA Chief Executive, Col (Retd) Patrick Crowley MBE DL and David Harris, VINCI Facilities Customer Director, mark the commencement of Future Defence Infrastructure Services (FDIS).
The MOD’s existing Built Estate contracts, which provide HFM services to defence sites across the UK, were amended to add the additional sites into their scope. The Built Estate contracts were awarded to Mitie Defence, VIVO Defence Services and VINCI Facilities Defence by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) in 2021.
The amendment sees 1,622 sites, which are supported by the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (RFCA) and are known as the Volunteer Estate, receive key maintenance work, repairs, servicing and hard facilities management through the existing MOD Built Estate contracts.
Contact
SERFCA
Seely House
Shoe Lane
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 2HJ
- Phone: 01252 357606
- Email: se-info@rfca.mod.uk
Follow us
Facebook: facebook.com/serfca/
Twitter: @southeastRFCA
Instagram: @SouthEastRFCA
LinkedIn: South East RFCA
Related content
Updates to this page
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Updated 'How we champion cadets', 'Promoting the reserve forces' and 'Engaging with employers and the local community'.
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Updated webpage with latest news.
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'Latest news' section updated.
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First published.