Voting for Service personnel away on Operations - If you need to register to vote for the up and coming general election you must register with the appropriate authorities  by 5pm today (Wed 10 March). If you are registered but want to change your status to a postal vote the deadline is 20 April 2010. If you are registered but wish to nominate a new proxy the deadline is 22 April 2010. All the appropriate forms and guidance can be found on: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

The Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body 2010 Report has just been released -

The key recommendations are outlined below, or to read the full document please follow this link.

Key Recommendations:
• A 2 per cent increase in military salaries;

• Targeted pay measures, including several aimed at those undertaking the most active service:

- Reduction in the Longer Separation Allowance minimum entitlement threshold from ten to seven days;

- Extension of Longer Separation Allowance to cover personnel operating under field conditions;

- Extension of Unpleasant Living Allowance to cover Service personnel in Forward Operating Bases and Patrol Bases in Afghanistan; and

- A set of additional Financial Retention Incentives for: High Threat Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Operators; Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Class 1 Avionic Technicians; and Apache Helicopter SNCO Aircrew;

• A 2 per cent increase in Specialist Pay, Compensatory Allowances and Reserves’ Bounties;

• A 1.2 per cent increase to Grade 1 Service Families Accommodation and Single Living Accommodation rental charges and lower graduated increases below Grade 1;

• A Daily Food Charge of £4.13 (an increase of 1.5 per cent).

The National Trust Opens its Doors – The National Trust is throwing up its doors for free on the weekend of 20-21 March 2010. The ‘Bonus Time’ initiative is a spring gift to the nation, offering everyone the perfect excuse to get out in the fresh air and discover the great outdoors. Visit the National Trust website to see the list of participating venues and to download the voucher to register for this offer.

Portsmouth FC Tickets – Throughout the football season we have been donated tickets to various Portsmouth matches by the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity. We now only have one pair of tickets left, for the match against Blackburn on 3 April. So if you fancy cheering on the blues whilst they are still a Premiership team, please get in touch. The tickets are free but a donation to the RNRMC would be appreciated.

Devonport Naval Base Public Notification - Residents in the St Budeaux, Wilcove and Torpoint areas of Plymouth are advised they might hear small explosions from Devonport Naval Base on Thursday 11 March. The Base will be using its demonstration range for training purposes.  The activity is scheduled to take place between 09:00 – 12:00; residents are asked to note the timetable of activity. The base prides itself on being a responsible operator and apologises in advance for any possible disturbances. 

Welsh Guards Launch Armed Forces Day 2010 - 250 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who saw some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan last summer, helped launch Armed Forces Day 2010 at their homecoming parade through Cardiff on Thursday 4 March 2010.

Launch of the Army Recovery Capability: Supporting Sick and Injured Personnel – In February 2010 the MOD launched the Army Recovery Capability in partnership with Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and other Service charities.  The Capability will improve the way the Army manages its sick and injured personnel by bringing together a range of separate services into a single coherent programme. The facilities and support provided will also be open to personnel from the Navy, RAF and mobilised reservists, if appropriate. Click here for further details.

Tickets for Chelsea FC - Chelsea Football Club has donated 50 tickets for the club’s crucial second leg Champions League match at home to Inter Milan on 16 March.  The much anticipated game at Stamford Bridge will also see the return of former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho.  Chelsea was the first Premier League club to support Tickets for Troops, a new charity dedicated to offering free tickets for big events to Service Personnel.  If you are in the Forces, or a veteran from 2001, go to the Tickets for Troops website and register your details for a chance to win.

Wimbledon Championships 2010 Ticket Announcement - Click here for ticketing information from the Royal Navy Lawn Tennis Association (RNLTA) or fill in the application form.

TV’s Soccer AM Challenge – Do you fancy representing the Royal Navy in the Soccer AM Military Challenge on Sky Sports? The challenge is open to all Ranks and consists of running against the clock carrying a variety of power bags. If you’d like to be considered please e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . The challenge will be filmed live at the Soccer AM studios in Middlesex every Saturday morning throughout the football season (travel expenses can be reimbursed).

Prince Harry Backs Friends of the Forces Awards - A national awards scheme to recognise members of the public who provide exceptional support to the British Armed Forces has been launched by The Royal British Legion with support from Prince Harry. Click here for further information.

Voting for Service Personnel Abroad - Justice Secretary Michael Wills has stated that all service personnel deployed overseas will have the chance to vote in the coming general election. Click here for more details.

Changes to Dependents ID Cards (Form S.1511) - In line with Government policy, Dependents ID Cards are now required to carry an expiry date. A rolling process is already in place whereby new/replacement cards will include this information and a target date of 05 Nov 2010 has now been set to complete this work. Until 05 Nov cards with or without an expiry date are both valid. If you require a replacement ID card contact the Unit Personnel Office (UPO). NB: The expiry date is based on the length of the serving members draft/appointment, but with a maximum validity of 3 years from the date of issue.

Poppy Adventure Breaks - Easter is fast approaching and there is still availability for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Adventure Breaks.

The holidays are open to young people (12 – 17 years) from families in the serving and ex-service community and are entirely funded by the RBL. The breaks will run during the Easter holidays in Nottinghamshire and Suffolk.

A 7 night full board package is provided, including a trip to a local theme park. A vast range of activities will run during the days, from quad biking to archery, abseiling to kayaking. There will also be team sports, arts and craft activities and evening entertainment including discos and game shows. Click here for further details, or contact the Poppy Breaks Coordinator, Gareth Bennett on: 0203 207 2141.

Plymouth Locality and Schools Out – This is a useful website run by the Plymouth Parent Partnership, which is full of information on events and services in the Plymouth area. It holds a directory covering numerous subjects such as childcare, support groups and training courses.  The website offers advice on local schooling options, and several schools have their own dedicated page, to inform parents of latest news and upcoming events. Click here to visit the site.

Adventure Holidays in the Bavarian Alps – The Naval Outdoor Centre Germany (NOCG) is the Royal Navy's multi activity Outdoor Centre, located in the beautiful Allgau area of the Bavarian Alps in Southern Germany. The centre is running a holiday package for Royal Naval and Royal Marines families during Easter leave (4 -10 April 2010).  The centre provides bespoke holiday accommodation for families in an area renowned for skiing, mountaineering and biking. The initiative has received funding from the Sports Amenities and Benevolence Scheme and the remainder of the costs will be met by the participants (rank ranged). If you are interested in the holiday package, please visit the NOCG’s website for further information.

SSAFA Volunteer Awards - SSAFA –FH (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – Forces Help) Service Volunteer Awards celebrates the work of their volunteers who support members of the Armed Forces and their families.

The volunteers are the friendly faces who offer low key practical help to serving personnel and their families in times of need. SSAFA also raise funds that can be used to help Service families with unexpected expenses.

You can nominate an individual volunteer, or a SSAFA Service Committee, for an award by visiting their website. Deadline for nominations is 28 March.

March For Honour - This is a tri-Service fundraising event involving a team from the Royal Marines Commandos, the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force. Each team will start from a separate location in the UK, speed marching an individually dedicated mile for every UK loss sustained in Afghanistan & Iraq. The march will be raising money on behalf of the Royal British Legion's 2010 Poppy Appeal, and will coincide with RBL’s Festival of Remembrance memorial service in November 2010. For more information, and to make a donation, visit the March For Honour website.

Royal Tattoo at Windsor Castle – Tickets are now on sale for the third annual Royal Tattoo held in the magnificent private grounds of Windsor Castle. The event will take place from 12-15 of May and will feature the very best of the UK’s Armed Forces and overseas acts. The Royal Tattoo will showcase hundreds of military musicians as well as staging exciting demonstrations and the iconic Royal Navy Field Gun Race. Click here for more details and ticketing information.

Discover Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for just £5 – From Friday 19 - Monday 22 March 2010, those with a PO postcode can enjoy all the attractions in the dockyard for just £5. Click here for full details.