WIREDGOV

Reservists to wear military uniforms to civilian jobs

News Release issued by the Government News Network on 25 June 2009

The first Uniform to Work Day took place in July 2008 as part of the Territorial Army’s centenary year and tomorrow will be the first time the event has included Reserves from all three Services – the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

The day is part of a series of events supporting the first ever Armed Forces Day, which takes place on Saturday 27 June. Armed Forces Day is being celebrated by almost 200 events across the country, with up to 30,000 people expected at the national event at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham.

Reservist Colonel Alastair Bruce said:

“From beauticians to bus drivers, artists to auctioneers, supermarket shelf-stackers to scientists, people from all walks of life and occupations have put time aside to train and serve in Iraq and Afghanistan, alongside their regular counterparts. Showing the public who these people are will help highlight the remarkable work these men and women undertake as volunteers.

“Service with the Reserve Forces is good for individuals, employers and communities. Reservists gain leadership skills and specialist expertise which serve them well in their civilian as well as military lives.”

In addition, all regular Forces staff at MOD headquarters in London will be in uniform for the day.

Reservists taking part include the following:

From the Territorial Army:

- Private Russell Duffy from the 7 th Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland will be working as a postman in Perth.

- Signaller Robin Young from the 41 Signals Squadron Coulsdon will be working

in his local Sainsbury’s store in Warlingham, Surrey.

- Captain Samantha Brettell from the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian

Yeomanry will be working at a Brettells Auctioneers in Newport.

From the Royal Naval Reserve:

- Lieutenant Commander Richmal Sims from HMS King Alfred, Portsmouth,

will be working as a procurement consultant at Appleyards in Sevenoaks, Kent.

- Able Seaman Charlotte Dangerfield of HMS President, London, will be working as an engineer at Arup in London.

From the Royal Air Force Reserve:

- Sgt Phil Moses a chef from the 606 Chiltern Squadron, RAF Benson will be running a pub in Daventry.

- Sgt Des Robson, from the 606 Chiltern Sqn, RAF Benson, will be working as a flight manager for Monarch Airlines at Luton Airport.

1. An image of Sgt Sally Brown, Adjutant General Corps (Staff and Personnel Support), Cpl Ryan Dunn, RAF, and Logistician (Personnel) Matthew Anconley, Royal Navy, is attached.
2. Images of Reservists wearing their uniforms to work will be available on Friday afternoon from the Defence News Imagery Website at defencenewsimagery.mod.uk.
3. To interview Reservists wearing their uniform to work, or for further information, contact Simon La Roche, MOD Public Relations, on 020 7218 5639.