VOLUNTEER RESERVE FORCES
Did you know that a third of the UK's Armed Forces are provided by the Volunteer Reserve Forces? Some 50,000 men and women provide the reserves of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Territorial Army, and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. 'Volunteer' in the name means a part-time member of the active army, navy or air force. 'Volunteer' does not mean unpaid!

Within the East Midlands, there are 18 TA Centres, 1Officers Training Corps, 4 Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons and 1specialist units, including a small Royal Naval Reserve unit. In total there are 1500 Territorial Army volunteers, 300 Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel and 180 Royal Naval reservists.

People joining the Reserve Forces often want some contrast with their work or private life. They are looking for a challenge and a chance to acquire new skills and meet new friends. Joining a reserve forces unit gives you the unique opportunity to meet new people, participate in overseas challenges and learn new skills.

Most units train one evening a week, six weekends each year and two weeks at annual camp, sometimes held abroad. To find out more about life in the Reserve Forces, click here.

CADETS The East Midlands is also home to 15 Sea Cadet units, 140 Army Cadet units and 60 Air Cadet units. There are some 6800 cadets and 1250 adult instructors who make these worthwhile youth activities possible.
The aim of the cadet movement is to promote good citizenship among young people. They are offered challenging activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme and can earn modules towards NVQs and BTEC. To find out more about life in the cadets click here.

	EMPLOYER SUPPORT The leadership training provided by the Regular and Reserve Forces is second to none, and an opportunity to sample this is offered to young businessmen and women every year. For a chance to spend a weekend with the TA and see what it's really like, click on to Exercise Executive Stretch!