As part of Armed Forces week, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar hosted a reception for the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association for Wales at the Senedd to mark Reserves Day (Wednesday June 21st).

At the event, Darren, who Chairs the Senedd Cross Party Group on the Armed Forces and Cadets, thanked Reserves for the integral role they play “in protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas”, and their employers for “recognising the skills and benefits that employing Reservists can bring to their workforce”.

He said:

“Tonight, we are here to mark Reserves Day, a national occasion to recognise our Reserve Forces for their outstanding contribution to the country.

“Reservists give up their spare time to serve in our Reserve Forces, balancing a civilian life with a military career to ensure that, should the country need them, they are ready to serve as part of the military.

“Reservists are currently supporting operations in the UK and overseas.

“Around one in six of our Armed Forces personnel are Reservists and they are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas, including providing specialist cyber capability in specialist areas such as medical and cyber.

“Reservists come from all parts of society and all walks of life, and their engagement with the military gives them opportunities and experiences and to develop new skills they would not get in their day-to-day life.

“The benefits of employing a Reservist through the transfer of skills gained by their training and mobilisation cannot be underestimated. 

“There are many reservists with us here in the Senedd this evening so let’s show our appreciation to each and every one of them. And there are many Reservist employers here too from the public, private and third sector, all of which recognise the skills and benefits that employing Reservists can bring to their workforce.”

In his speech, Darren also referred to the increasing number of organisations expressing their support for the armed forces by signing the Armed Forces Covenant as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

He added:

“More than 10,000 organisations have signed the Covenant so far, including 550 from Wales, with many being awarded Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards as part of the Employer Recognition Scheme.”

At the event, the Covenant was signed by more firms and more Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards were presented.

Those in attendance included Army, Navy and RAF Reserves, employers, and Armed Forces Liaison Officers, in addition to MSs, the Welsh Government's Deputy Minister with responsibility for the Armed Forces, Hannah Blythyn MS; Air Commodore Dai Williams, Air Officer Wales; and Brigadier Jock Fraser, Naval Regional Commander for Wales and Western England.