Please register your views on Reserves - Last Call

The MoD launched a formal, written, public consultation on the future of the UK’s Reserve Forces, ‘Future Reserves 2020: Delivering the Nation’s Security Together’. The consultation period closes on 18 Jan 13. So only a few days left. Many have already said their piece but if anyone else would like to contribute please do so before next Fri...More information »

The Armed Forces and Cyber Security

The media today covers the House of Commons Defence Committee's report into cyber security. The Committee questions the Government's preparedness for a large scale cyber attack and whether the Armed Forces would be compromised by such an event. Defence Minister Andrew Murrison said: "Far from being complacent, the MoD takes the protection of our systems extremely seriously...More information »

The House of Commons Defence Committee is conducting an Inquiry into ‘Educating the Children of Service Personnel’. We have very little time left but this is your opportunity to tell us your views. The Committee would particularly like to hear your experience and thoughts on: The difficulties facing Service families in achieving the same standard of education for their children as they would if they were civilians; The provision of education for all Service children from pre-school to age 19; The transfer of information about pupils between schools, in particular pupils with Special Educational Needs; The effectiveness of the financial support schemes for all Service families; The adequacy of oversight and monitoring of Service Children’s education. Please let us know your thoughts before the 10 Jan 13. Click here to register your views...More information »

Schools - Apply now for a share of £3M to assist publicly funded schools

The MoD’s Support Fund for State Schools with Service Children has been made available to help mitigate the effects of exceptional mobility and/or deployment of their Service communities; Applications for 2013 are now being accepted from publicly funded schools, Academies and Free Schools throughout the UK who meet the eligibility criteria. Local Authorities are also able to apply in support of these schools...More information »

Spitfire crash-lands at East Midlands Airport

A Spitfire has crash-landed at East Midlands Airport closing the airport. The pilot was unharmed. Edward Coxon who saw the incident said: "I was just looking at the planes coming in when all of a sudden there were loads of blue lights coming in from the other end of the runway. The incident seems to have happened when the undercarriage of the aircraft collapsed...More information »

Back at School - Say they are 'Service' and the School can claim £300

Service parents with children in State funded schools in England are encouraged to ensure that the Head Teacher of their Child(ren)'s school is made aware of their 'Service' status for the Spring School Census which will be conducted on 17 Jan 13. This is the only way the school can then claim the Service Pupil Premium, worth £300 per child, to provide pastoral and/or other additional support for their Service children...More information »

Ex- RAF Sqn Ldr and longest-serving British POW dies at 98

Alfie Fripp, thought to be the oldest surviving and longest-serving British prisoner of war, and a former RAF Sqn Ldr has died at the age of 98. Alfie Fripp was one of the '39ers', the unfortunate few taken prisoner in the first year of World War II. Remembering his former crew mate in 2009, Alfie said: "We were forced to hedge hop at six feet to avoid being attacked again by a Messerschmitt in a cloudless sky...More information »