Welcome to the electronic edition of the Volunteer magazine. Started many years ago in tabloid form, the North West Volunteer (as it was then known) began life as a house publication for members of the Reserves and Cadets in the North West. It transformed into its glossy magazine format in the Autumn of 2002 and its circulation now stands at 9000 copies every quarter. Its remit is to:

- recruit and retain Reservists and cadets,
- brief opinion formers about the work of the Reserves,
- give employers information about the benefits of having reservists on their staff,
- raise awareness of the Reserves amongst members of the public.

Copies go to politicians and journalists, generals and captains of industry, job centres and GPs, surgeries, schools and leisure centres and of course to all our Reservists and Cadets. Its publication is funded by MOD grant and by the firms and organisations which advertise within its pages. It is free of charge to the reader.

If you would like to write to me with ideas and suggestions or even praise and criticism, please e mail me by visiting the 'letters to the editor' page.