News

The National Audit Office found significant problems with the British Army Recruiting Partnering Project because it "underestimated the complexity of the project". The outsourcing company Capita was awarded the £495 million contract for Army recruitment in 2012, but according to the report the Army has not recruited the number of soldiers it requires in any year since the contract began.

HMS Queen Elizabeth has returned home to the UK after a four-month deployment in the United States. More than a thousand members of the ship’s company are being welcomed back in Portsmouth by family and friends. Three Merlin Helicopters from 845 Naval Air Squadron have already returned, landing yesterday at RNAS Yeovilton.

Theresa May Becomes First Conservative PM To Visit Argentina Since Falklands War. Prime Minister Theresa May has vowed to maintain Britain's defence of the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, as she became the first Conservative Prime Minister to visit Argentina since the 1982 war. Mrs May will hold one-on-one talks with Argentine President Mauricio Macri later, who is hosting leaders from around the world at the G20 summit of major economies.

Two fallen British service personnel who fought in the Cyprus emergency have been awarded the Elizabeth Cross. The conflict started in 1955 when a Greek Cypriot Guerrilla Group promoting union with Greece came up against British troops. The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll have been presented to the families of the Late Corporal George Cassells, formerly of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and the Late Flight Sergeant Morris Rhodes formerly of 139 Squadron, Royal Air Force.

Eighty-five per cent of those surveyed believed it would be difficult for someone with PTSD to stay in paid work for 12 months or longer. New research has found that four in five think a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would struggle to hold down a job. A study by YouGov says only five per cent of those asked thought someone with PTSD would find it easy to stay in work for more than a year.

A British soldier who rushed to the aid of people injured in the Las Vegas massacre has been recognised by the Queen for his bravery. Almost 500 people were hurt and 58 killed when a gunman opened fire on festival-goers at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on 1 October last year. Trooper Ross Woodward was off duty when he helped treat people with gunshot wounds and guided others to safety.

Personnel from 3 Para have deployed to Afghanistan to support the British contribution to the NATO mission. They will take over from the Welsh Guards as part of their work supporting NATO advisors in the captial city of Kabul. An MOD spokesperson said: "3 Para have deployed to Afghanistan as part of the UK contribution to the NATO mission.

HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane is the home of the UK's nuclear deterrent (Picture: MOD). More than 500 safety events have been recorded at the home of the UK's nuclear deterrent since 2006, the MoD has revealed. Defence Minister Stuart Andrew disclosed the figure in a letter in response to a parliamentary question from Edinburgh SNP MP Deidre Brock.

On 24th September 2018 various members of the various breakfast clubs were afforded the opportunity of tickets to see the highly acclaimed ballet, Lest We Forget at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre by Lt Col Gary Tait MBE.

On Saturday 25th August 2018, I was invited to meet with Gary Weaving (ex Royal Engineer) of the charity Forgotten Veterans UK regarding his innovative Veterans Basher Retreat Project at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth. The Basher Retreat officially opens around a planned date at the end of November 2018.