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RESERVE FORCES AND CADETS
ASSOCIATION
At local level, administration and support of the major elements of the
Reserve Forces are carried out through the RFCAs, working within the
context described in the 1996 Reserve Forces Act. This is a tri-Service
role which has been carried out by the RFCAs and their predecessor
organisations for many years. It is an unusual arrangement, but has been
found to be a successful one. The RFCA system ensures that people from
the local communities in which the Reserve Forces and cadets are based are
involved in the running of Reserve and cadet units. It also provides
Reserve Forces and cadets representatives with the right of direct access
to Ministers, so that they can make representation about Reserves issues.
This provides an important balance and ensures that the case for the
Reserves is clearly articulated at a high level.
RFCAs have a second role as administrators and suppliers of services to
the Reserve and cadet forces organisations. To reflect the increasing
operational integration of Army Reserve and Regular forces, there have
been certain changes in the way in which RFCAs are organised since 1998.
It is important that regional commanders take on full responsibility for
the operational standards of Army Reserve units in their area; as a
result, RFCA boundaries were altered and brought more in line with the
Army's Regular command structure. The new arrangement also took account of
the needs of the other Services' Reserve Forces and all the cadet
organisations.
SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employees)
Formerly the National Employers' Liaison Committee (NELC)
SaBRE has grown out of the National Employers' Liaison Committee (NELC)
which was formed in 1986 with a brief to provide independent advice to
Ministers on the measures needed to win and maintain the support of
employers, in both the public and private sectors, for those of their
employees who are in the Volunteer Reserve Forces (VRF). The committee is
made up of prominent businessmen and is supported by the secretariat.
SABRE provides advice on:
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The ways of educating employers on the role
of the Reserve Forces in national defence, the vital role employers have
to play in giving their support, and the benefits to employers and their
employees of Reserve Forces training and experience.
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The current problems and attitudes of
employers in relation to service by their employees in the Reserve
Forces.
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Methods and inducements needed to encourage
and retain the support of employers.
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Appropriate means of recognising and
publicising support given by employers to the Reserve Forces.
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