A big thank you to the North West’s employers who were involved in events across the region to celebrate Reserves Day, Thursday 8 September 2016, celebrating the valuable contribution many of their employees make as Reservists with the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve, Army Reserve and Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
One of the events we visited was a Reserves Day fair hosted by HMRC at St John’s House in Bootle on Merseyside. A large area of the office’s car park was made available for stands from some of the Army Reserve units based in Merseyside, including 156 Regiment RLC, 33 Signal Squadron, 208 (Liverpool) Field Hospital and 75 Engineer Regiment. The location was chosen due to the close proximity of nearly 3,500 civil servants, all of whom were invited to visit the stands. We caught up with some of the local Reservists there on the day talking to people about the Reserve Forces and how to get involved.
Pte John Mullen, 208 (Liverpool) Fd Hosp
John, aged 25 and a paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service, has also served for two years as an Army Reservist. He originally got involved because his manager was a Reservists, and he was interested in the opportunities expand his knowledge in the medical profession. John is well supported by employer, who employ a number of former military personnel and give John extra unpaid leave if needed to facilitate training and other Reservist commitments. In return, John brings continuing professional development and training to his civilian job at no cost to his employer.
John said: “Through my training as a Reservist I get trauma training I just wouldn’t get in my day job. I’m also fitter and healthier. I think something that characterises Reservists is that they are people who want to be the best that they can be.”
Cpl Brenda Barker, 208 (Liverpool) Fd Hosp
Brenda, aged 55 and a Primary School Teacher, is also a Combat Medical Technician (CMT) and Driver with the Army Reserve, having served for 30 years. Some of the highlights of her service have been qualifying as a CMT, undertaking adventurous training and serving on detachment in the USA. Brenda has also been well supported by her employers over the years, who by granting extra leave have helped minimise the impact of commitments such as annual training camps. In return, the First Aid skills Brenda has developed have proved invaluable in working with children, who she has also taught First Aid skills to.
Brenda said: “I really enjoy the comradeship, social aspects and family feel of the Army Reserve. I’m always learning, and constant personal development offers pathways into new and different roles. I’m always gaining both military and civilian qualifications.”
SIG John Thompson, 33 Sig Sqn
John, aged 20, serves with the Army Reserve as a Comms System Operator, and counts amongst his best experiences being named Best Student during his course at the Royal School of Signals, as well as deployments, adventurous training and the social side of Reservist life.
John said: “Through my Reserve service I’ve gained maturity and professionalism, and learned to be adaptable and work as part of a team. Reservists are reliable, hardworking and committed.”
Cpl Richard James Murphy, 33 Sig Sqn
Richard, aged 43, is self employed as a taxi driver. He’s also a Recruiter with the Army Reserve, where he’s served for 22 years.
Richard said: “As a Reservist I’ve been able to experience parachuting, and overseas travel, and gain leaderships skills and training. The skills and experiences are extremely useful to have working with the public.”
