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Reserve Forces and Cadets Association

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Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations (RFCAs) are Crown bodies in the United Kingdom which give advice and assistance to the Defence Council, and to the Army, Royal Navy and RAF, on matters that concern reserves and cadets. They are contracted by the Ministry of Defence to provide services including management of the volunteer estate, employer support, cadets and youth and to establish and maintain links with the civilian community. Established in 1908 (known then as the County Associations), they are today organised as 13 regional associations, comprising voluntary members and a small full-time secretariat.[1]

Their governing body is the RFCA Council which coordinates their budgets and policies, and is composed of the thirteen voluntary regional chairs. It has a professional chief executive for the council and there is one for each of the 13 regional RFCAs. All key posts have to be approved by the Defence Council but, as a ‘grass roots’ organisation, the names of the voluntary chairs and other officers are submitted after election by the membership, rather than through civil service nomination via the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The chairman of the council has access to the Secretary of State.[2]

History

County Associations were established on 1st April 1908 by the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 to administer the volunteer forces in each county, when the Volunteers and Yeomanry were brought together to form the Territorial Force(TF). The roles of the associations included recruiting, provision and maintenance of buildings and ranges for reserves, arrangements with employers and establishment and support of cadet units.[3] Lord Haldane set them up as he recognised that the War Office and Regular Army had limited links with the civilian world; they helped to fulfil his wider vision of a ‘Nation in Arms’, by ‘building a military structure which shall have its foundations in the nation itself.’[4][5] The Associations were: “To render advice and assistance to the military authorities -“the fund of local knowledge possessed by an Association is to be held for the information of the Army Council and of the officers of the Military Commands at need.”[6]

The organisation of the Territorial Force in 1907/08 kept the “provinces of command and administration … rigidly distinct…” explained by the fact “that, whereas command and training to be efficient must be centralized, the administration of citizen forces raised on a voluntary basis can only be efficient if it is decentralized. Unity of command and, to some extent, unity of training are essential to success in the field, but diversity and elasticity in administration are no less essential to the encouragement of local effort and the development of local resources in time of peace.” [7]

The act was piloted through Parliament in the face of opposition from many quarters including some Conservatives and retired generals arguing for conscription, Labour and pacifist minded-Liberals who were against ‘militarising’ the nation and militia and volunteers opposed to perceived threats to their independence. [8][9]

The Act provided that each would have the lord-lieutenant of the county as the president and required that at least half of the membership would consist of officers drawn from all branches of the Territorial Force] (or, preceding that, the Yeomanry and Volunteers). Haldane’s plan for local councillors to be compulsorily included were dropped after a political battle, but "Where desirable", members were also to include representatives of the county councils, county borough councils, and universities within the area of the Association, as well as co-opted members representative "of the interests of employers and workmen". [10]. From the outset, members elected their officers who appointed each (paid) association secretary who acted as chief executive, although they had to be approved by the Army Council[11]

In June that year, the county associations set up the Council of County Territorial Associations.[12], composing key elected figures from each county association to provide a public voice on behalf of the Territorial Force.[11]

At the outset of the First World War, Kitchener denounced the TF as a ‘town clerks army’ and set up a process for recruiting a parallel organisation of service units (soon called ‘Kitchener units’) for the Regular Army, The county associations and their parliamentary supporters pressed the government to mobilise the Territorial Force and Kitchener agreed that those opting for overseas service should be deployed, with the first units leaving within weeks. Six divisions were deployed to France by April 1915, [13]while the Kitchener formations were still training. General Sir John French, General officer commanding the BEF said ‘Without the assistance which the Territorials afforded between October 1914 and June 1915, it would have been impossible to hold the line in France and Belgium.[14]

After the First World War, the TF was disbanded and the county associations led the campaign to re-establish it as the Territorial Army(TA), and fought for resources for the TA and cadet forces during the depression when bounties were slashed.[15] In the build-up to the Second World War, the county associations played a critical role in the expansion of the TA.[16]

In 1966, as part of its sweeping cuts to the TA, the government reorganised the county associations into first 23 and then 14 regional Territorial, Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve associations. The TAVRAs re-established their central body as the Council of TAVRAs. As the Council campaigned against the large reductions in Territorials, supported by six field marshals with service from the 2nd World War, officials in the Ministry of Defence became so exasperated that the Permanent Under Secretary for the Army was heard referring to the vice-chairs of the Council as the chairman’s “henchmen”[17]

In 1996, a new Reserve Forces Act was passed which made important changes including on arrangements for mobilising reserve forces. The Act restated the legal basis of the TAVRAs although much of the detail was remarkably similar to earlier legislation, back to the original 1907 Act. As before, key posts were to be elected by members. All important posts, including elected chairs and the (paid) executive secretaries, had to be confirmed by the Defence Council (which had replaced the three single service councils, with the amalgamation of the single service ministries into the Ministry of Defence in 1964. As before, one of the county Lord Lieutenants within each region was appointed as president of each RFCA.[18]

In 1998, the new government was considering the virtual abolition of the remaining reserve forces and the TAVRAs played a central role in testifying to the value of reserve forces, including to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee[19] In 2000 the name was changed to Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations to reflect the new tri-service structure.[20] The number of associations was reduced from 14 to 13. In the Defence Reform Act 2014, the RFCAs were given a new power to produce an annual independent report for Parliament on the condition of the reserve forces.[21]

Role

RFCAs are responsible for the following:[22]

• regionally to provide advice and support on behalf of the UK’s volunteer reserve forces and cadets

• to work with the chains of command of the 3 services to deliver support to the reserves and cadet against Service Level Agreements

• to establish and maintain links with the community and to deliver employer engagement on behalf of defence

• to deliver the volunteer estate through the maintenance and support of reserve training centres, cadet centres and training areas within which the reserves and cadets of all 3 services can conduct their activities

RFA 96 requires the RFCAS to provide 2 general duties:

• to give advice and assistance to the Defence Council

• to conform to the Defence Plan

In addition to the general duties assigned, the Defence Council through the RFCA Regulations 2009 has assigned the following tasks to the RFCAs: [22]

• volunteer estate and infrastructure

• employer support

• cadets and youth

• establish and maintain links with the civilian community

The RFCAs, through professionally qualified staff, are responsible on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the upkeep of some 460 tri-service reserve forces’ sites and 2,300 cadet centres. This provides the footprint and hub for reserve and cadet activity. They maintain the estate to the required legal standard, ensuring that all sites are kept in good condition, fit for purpose and secure. Through their estate expertise and local knowledge they aim to provide an attractive environment in which to recruit, train and ‘refresh the spirit of our volunteers. The RFCAs provide the support requirements for the delivery of the service cadet experience by providing the permanent support staff who maintain and run the army cadet county HQs, the safety assurance staff who ensure safe training, the material support through the buildings and training areas that cadets use for their activities and financial support to deliver those activities. They also provide support to reservists of all services through the Defence Relationship Management Organisation that provides the interface between the military and those employers who have reserves on their staff, those who seek more information or those who are supporting reserves whilst on operational deployment. The RFCA support the MOD by providing visibility of reserve and cadet issues and solutions. They have a statutory role to report to ministers.[22]

Reserves and Cadets are based in the local community at a time when the regular forces are increasingly concentrated on a handful of garrisons, bases and stations. In 2014, an independent review of the RFCAs commented: ‘RFCAs’ network and strong local communication linkages are key assets for MOD in its regional engagement and should be further exploited.’ [23] The latest independent review (in 2019) commented: ‘“A key strength of the RFCAs is their extensive volunteer membership (numbering around 8000), bringing with it a wide breadth of expertise and community links – without which the RFCAs would unlikely have access to the information and knowledge needed to discharge the duties. This mirrors the clear passion of RFCA staff for their roles to provide a crucial and coherent voice for Reserves and Cadets across the UK. Their position as the link between Defence and the wider public, continuity of staff and expertise, and tri-Service drive enables the RFCAs to deliver across all functions, particularly community and employer engagement (the latter proven by the success on the Armed Forces Covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme work strands). This is particularly valuable in cases where local knowledge and understanding may be limited in MOD. .[24]

The most recent statutory role of the RFCAs was bestowed on them in the 2014 Defence Reform Act, to. prepare an annual report on the state of the volunteer reserve forces [25]. These are prepared by the External Scrutiny Panel established by the RFCA Council, whose reports are lodged with the House of Commons Library[26]

Organisation

Thirteen 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.

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 by the RFCA concerned. Through the expertise of their members, RFCAs are able to bring added value to the Defence effort.

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.

Council of RFCAs

The individual RFCAs have jointly set up the Council of RFCAs, where each RFCA is represented by its Chairman. 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. The Council's tasks include:

  • Collect, compile and disseminate information relevant to the Reserve Forces and the service cadet organisations to all the constituent Associations.
  • Examine, consult upon and report about any matters submitted to it by the Ministry of defence or other relevant bodies.
  • 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.
  • Take any such action as may be decided by the Council for the attainment of its object.
  • Take action on any relevant matter at the request of one or more associations, or the Ministry of Defence.

Scope

Army Reserve

Further information: Army Reserve (United Kingdom)
  • Recruiting and publicity for units of the AR.
  • Provision and maintenance of accommodation for AR Independent units and the furnishing, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation.
  • Liaison with employers, trades unions and local authorities and relations with the public.
  • Administration and maintenance of training areas and ranges vested in them.
  • Welfare.

Maritime Reserve

Further information: Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve

Provision and maintenance of on-shore accommodation for the RNR and RMR as required.

Royal Auxiliary Air Force

Further information: Royal Auxiliary Air Force
  • Provision and maintenance of accommodation for RAuxAF units as required and the furnishing, lighting and cleaning of such accommodation.
  • Recruiting, publicity, welfare and liaison as appropriate.

Combined Cadet Force

Further information: Combined Cadet Force

All accommodation matters.

Community Cadet Forces

Further information: Community Cadet Forces

Sea Cadet Corps

Further information: Sea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)

Liaison responsibilities and assistance, where possible, with the provision of accommodation.

Army Cadet Force

Further information: Army Cadet Force
  • The organisation of the ACF, subject to any directions which the Defence Council may give.
  • Recommendations for the appointment of Honorary Colonels and Cadet Commandants (ACF).
  • The grant of paid acting promotion in the ranks of Captain and Major within establishment.
  • The appointment of Adult Instructors and their promotion within establishment.
  • Provision, furnishing and maintenance of accommodation.
  • Provision of non-public equipment and stores.
  • Issue, storage, maintenance and accounting of public stores.
  • General supervision of the administration of private funds.
  • Recruiting, local publicity and promotion of good relations with the public.
  • Encouraging co-operation and good relations between the TA and the ACF.

Air Training Corps

Further information: Air Training Corps

Provision and maintenance of accommodation.

See also

References

  1. ^ "About us - Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Associations". GOV.UK. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Defence Council Order: Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Regulations 2014, Paragraph 1.14". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  3. ^ Godley, p. 757
  4. ^ Campbell, p. 270
  5. ^ Beckett, p. 43
  6. ^ Baker, p. 117
  7. ^ Baker, pp. 97-98
  8. ^ Campbell, p. 264-265 and 267
  9. ^ Simkins, p. 14
  10. ^ Godley, p. 755-756
  11. ^ a b Beckett, p. 44
  12. ^ Beckett, p. 37
  13. ^ Campbell, p. 257
  14. ^ Field Marshal Viscount French of Ypres, 1914, London: Constable and Co, 1919 p. 204
  15. ^ see for example Dennis, pp. 115-118
  16. ^ Dennis, p 164-5
  17. ^ Beckett, pp. 200-201
  18. ^ "Reserve Forces Act 1996". Legislation.co.uk. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  19. ^ "House of Commons - Defence - Minutes of Evidence". publications.parliament.uk.
  20. ^ "Review of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Associations" (PDF). 16 December 2014. p. 2. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Defence Reform Act 2014, Part 3, Section 47". Legislation.co.uk. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  22. ^ a b c "About us". GOV.UK.
  23. ^ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433767/20141217-Final_RFCA_Review_Report_17Dec14_RP.pdf Executive Summary, P5
  24. ^ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/874779/FINAL_RFCA_Review_2019_Report-OFFICIAL_SENSITIVE.pdf P 16-7
  25. ^ https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2014/20/section/47
  26. ^ http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2021-0126/Deposit_Reserved_Forces_Cadets_Ass_External_Scrutiny_Team_Report_2020.pdf

Sources

  • Godley, Hugh (ed.) (1914). Manual of Military Law (Sixth ed.). London: War Office. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  • Campbell, John (2020). Haldane: The Forgotten Statesman Who Shaped Modern Britain. London: Hurst & Co.
  • Baker, Harold (1909). The Territorial Force, A Manual of its Law. Organization and Administration, with an introduction by Rt Hon RB Haldane KC MP. London: John Murray.
  • Dennis, Peter (1987). The Territorial Army. Woodbridge: The Royal Historical Society: Boydell Press.
  • Simkins, Peter (2007) [1988]. Kitchener's Army: The Raising of the New Armies 1914–1916. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-844-15585-9.
  • Beckett, Ian (2008). Territorials, A century of Service. Plymouth: DRA Publishing.
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