This month I want to pay further tribute to our Armed Forces as we celebrated Armed Forces Day last month. All too often we tend to regard our Armed Forces as a totally separate entity, working in isolation and whom we call upon in times of war.
However, the Armed Forces should be considered a key part of our community, who are there in times of a crises, but also when needed in peace times, and who contribute significantly to society. My own interest started when I was encouraged to join the cadets many decades ago. I remember signing up and getting a uniform, which made me feel a combination of pride and nervousness. Each week I would get the No1 bus from where we lived to the other end of City. For anyone who has lived in Newcastle, the No1 bus is the longest bus ride and pretty much goes through every area in the city, including some, at that time, would describe as war zones! In those days public racist abuse was far more common, and I remember being sat at the top of the bus, being asked why a ‘Paki’ was wearing a uniform and then regularly getting into a tussle. But the routine, reverence and camaraderie I experienced far outweighed the ignorance. Being in the Cadets was one of the best experiences of my life, it reinforced the natural traits I had of discipline, hard work and respect, alongside developing a whole host of life skills too. Wearing a uniform made me feel good, part of something special, part of a community. Naturally, I got distracted with a whole host of other things that boys do in their teenage years and moved on. But I have never forgotten the experience and the skills that I developed, being ever so grateful for the opportunity and affinity developed. It is a pleasure and honour to see the pride, admiration and respect that everyone within our Armed Forces has for our Queen and country. They all work selflessly to support the whole community. Over the past seven, eight years, I have managed to reinvigorate the relationship with our Armed Forces, launching and supporting a number initiatives alongside signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant – a voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces – going on to become a Gold Covenant Holder. Over the course of the Pandemic our Armed Forces have pretty much been on the front line, from building Nightingale Hospitals, to allocating all of their medical personnel to the NHS and onto making sure the economy and communities aren’t overwhelmed by supporting mass testing. Arguably doing as much, if not more than various of our other amazing public servants, but with very little recognition. That is why I dedicate this column to each and every individual involved, supporting and promoting our Armed Forces. A heartfelt thank you. The opportunities our Armed Forces offers are immense. Helping develop key transferable life skills both personally and professionally. If you would like to find out more on the opportunities open to you, whether as a Cadet, Volunteer, Reservist, Regular or would like to sign the voluntary Armed Forces Covenant, to become the best you, then please get in touch. There is a place and space for everyone. May the Force be with you.
