Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

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in the spotlight IN THE SPOTLIGHT With SMI Roy Murtagh Name: Serjeant Major Instructor Roy Murtagh Age: 36 LOCATION: Aintree, Liverpool Role: Detachment Commander of 2 Rifles Detachment and Company Serjeant Major 1 Company, Merseyside Army Cadet Force Career so far: I started my military career by joining the cadets in the late 80s and left to join the Regulars in 1991. After 5 years I left to experience life in Civvy Street. On a visit to my old cadet unit in the TAC Strand Road, Bootle, I found that my former Army Cadet Instructor was still the Detachment Commander there. He suggested that I should become an Adult Instructor and in February 1999 I became an AI for Merseyside ACF in the BRLC Cadet Detachment’ in Bootle. After six years at BRLC I moved to 2 Royal Green Jackets Cadet Platoon and eventually became the Detachment Commander. In February 2007 the Regular Army Royal Green Jackets and the Light Infantry, DDLI and RGBWLI, amalgamated to form the Rifles and the Detachment soon followed becoming 2 Rifles (Litherland) Detachment. I was surprised to receive a Certificate of Commendation of the Rifles Colonel in Chief (HRH The Duke of Edinburgh) from General Sir Nick Parker at the Holcolme Moor opening in recognition of my achievements at the Detachment. This was an honour to not just me but my Detachment. Up close and personal: I am married to Lisa and have one year old twin daughters, Chloe and Connie. I work for Liverpool City Council and enjoy cycling and most outdoor activities. FAVOURITE Place: My favourite place is in Quesada, Spain where we have a family villa and I like to go there with my family each year to chill out and relax. FAVOURITE Food: My favourite food is Chinese which I shouldn’t indulge in so it could be my guilty pleasure as well! HAPPIEST MEMORY: My wedding day. We got married in a small chapel in Cyprus. The vicar informed us that if we turned up at the wedding smelling of alcohol he would not marry us, needless to say my wife and I made sure we behaved ourselves and stayed sober prior to the wedding but certainly made up for it on the wedding day/evening and the rest of the holiday in Cyprus. My other happiest memory was the birth of my gorgeous twin girls Chloe & Connie. I nearly fell off the chair when we were told that there were two heartbeats for the first scan. It was certainly a shock, but a nice one. They are non-identical and both very vocal and screech at the same level. With three girls in my life I can look forward to cold showers and my girls fighting over the hair brush in the future!! GUILTY Pleasure: My guilty pleasure is cakes and buns besides my love of Chinese food, however the older I get the less I really should indulge, but nothing wrong with a treat here or there. Ambition: My ambition would be to always run a well organised detachment with cadets that thrive, prosper and enjoy the activities. It would be based on exciting, varied and well organised training. This I think is the key to retention. If they are well motivated and happy they not only stay at the detachment but they bring their friends along too! I have had a cadet whose mother asked me to talk to him as he was having problems and getting into trouble in school and she couldn’t get through to him. This was not the cadet I SMI Roy Murtagh receives the Commendation of the Rifles Colonel in Chief (HRH The Duke of Edinburgh) from General Sir Nick Parker “ Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see cadets, who may not achieve academically, turning into good citizens, gaining their stars and attending courses at Frimley ” knew; he was so well behaved and respectful on training nights. He later left the detachment but called in one day to say ‘thank you’ for all that I had done for him. To me this is one of the biggest rewards a cadet instructor can receive as it shows that I had a positive impact on this cadet and to me this makes it all worthwhile. Inspiration: It was my cadet Detachment Commander, Peter Wareing, who had guided me as a cadet and who I have a lot of respect for; he inspired me to join Merseyside ACF as an Adult Instructor. His direction gave me the discipline and confidence to achieve when I left the cadets and the courage to join again as an Adult Instructor. Final Words: I would like to say that the ACF is a solid foundation for young people to achieve and mature in. I am so glad to be part of this organisation and having a small part to play in their achievements. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see cadets, who may not achieve academically, but turn into good citizens, gaining their stars and attending senior cadet courses at Frimley Park. I enjoy training the cadets and it keeps me active, definitely more enjoyable than a visit to the gym!! I hope that I can give the cadets good memories and guidance that they will take with them through the rest of their lives. 60 the volunteer www.nwrfca.org.uk
Sabre Mr Tom Foster Executive Director of Sellafield is presented with his Supportive Employers certificate by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Supportive Employers Luncheon The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria and Sellafield PLC hosted a Supportive Employers Luncheon. Twenty eight guests from throughout Cumbria attended and were given a presentation on operations in Afghanistan by 4th Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. The Lord Lieutenant then presented Secretary of State for Defence’s Supportive Employers Certificates to the senior management of six Cumbrian firms. Sir James Cropper received his supportive Employer Certificate from Mr Gordon Moore the Chairman of Cumbria Employer Support Group The Lord Lieutenant himself was surprised to be awarded a certificate by the Chairman of the Cumbria Employer Support Group; Gordon Moore, for his family business for being a supportive employer of local Reservists. We’re all stronger with Reservists ARMED FOR PROTECTION Life insurance for Armed Forces Personnel • Saving You Money • Improving Your Cover • Giving You Peace Of Mind Get covered before you’re deployed! CALL 0844 579 1006 www.hazardouspursuits.co.uk Special terms for members of the Territorial Army and Reservists, as well as full time Soldiers A place to share together For more than 100 years we have supported the Armed Forces and their families with affordable accommodation and welfare breaks. We are the Victory Services Club; the all ranks, tri-service, family friendly London-based club. If your father or mother served in the Armed Forces then you are entitled to Family Membership which is £25 a year and if you are currently serving then your parents or children are also entitled to membership. You will find the VSC at the hub of London’s attractions, enjoy a day of shopping in the West End, head out to theatre land to catch a show, walk through beautiful Hyde Park or simply relax in our lounge bar with an afternoon tea. To apply for Family Membership please contact the membership office on 0207 616 8337 or email mem@ vsc.co.uk or visit the website on www.vsc.co.uk/Jointhe-VSC. Central Location Heart of London’s West End, close to Oxford Street. Competitive Prices Room rates from £37 and discounted parking. Every Occasion Choice of bars, restaurants and 8 function rooms. The Victory Services Club 63 Seymour Street London W2 2HF www.nwrfca.org.uk the volunteer 61
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Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

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