Armed Forces Day 2013: Saturday 29 June
Armed Forces Day gives the nation an opportunity to show its support for the brave men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. The national event will be held in Nottingham, but there are many more events being held up and down the country. Click here to find out what's going on in your area. Show your support by claiming your free Armed Forces Day sticker.

Notification of Army Personnel Selected for Tranche 3 of the Redundancy Programme

On 18 June 2013, Army Personnel were being notified if they had been selected for redundancy in the third tranche of the Armed Forces Redundancy Programme. The Army notified approximately 4,480 personnel, for 84% of them their selection was a result of having applied for redundancy. There is likely to be a need for one more tranche of redundancies for the Army, and there may be a requirement for a small number of redundancies for medical personnel from the RAF and Royal Navy, as the outcome of the Defence Medical Services 20 (DMS20) project is implemented. Click here for details.

Community Covenant e-Newsletter: June 2013
Click here to read the latest e-Newsletter from the Community Covenant team. This edition looks at Local Government responsibilities for supporting employment, and highlights a successful bid for the Community Covenant Grant Scheme.

Afghans Take Security Lead Across Afghanistan
NATO-led forces have formally handed over the last of Afghanistan's 95 districts to Afghan security forces. Click here for details.

 

Family Fun at RNAS Culdrose Air Day
The ever popular Air Day at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose takes place on July 24. It is the only day of the year when the public can experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working military Naval Air Station. You will be blown away by flying displays from the Red Arrows, and there will be lots to do on the ground. Visitors can meet the Aircrew, climb on-board state-of-the art aircraft, and be scrambled on a search and rescue mission, winched high into the air! www.culdroseairday.com
 

Forces Sauces
Forces Sauces are great tasting, Great British sauces that you can be proud to serve! Stocked in over 700 Tesco stores nationwide, every bottle of Corporal Ketchup and Brigadier Brown sold will donate at least 6p to the military charities Stoll and The Royal British Legion. Forces Sauces is the brainchild of veteran and Stoll resident Bob Barrett. Click here to read Bob’s inspiring story, and go grab yourself a bottle!

Radio Gold
Congratulations to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), who scooped up gold and silver awards at the prestigious New York Festivals International Radio Programs and Promos Competition. 

Troops to Teachers
The Government has launched Troops to Teachers; a new scheme designed to make it easier for former members of the Armed Forces to become teachers. The scheme offers graduate and non-graduate programmes. It will provide teacher training opportunities to Service leavers, with significant extra benefits, including salaries while training, bursaries and bespoke training. Click here for details.
 

Good Housekeeping Magazine: Help For Heroines
Good Housekeeping Magazine wants to hear from Service wives and mums - to star in their Christmas issue! They would like to feature a range of heart-warming stories about how our military heroines, who are supporting those serving, will be spending Christmas. Will your loved one be at home or away on deployment? If they are going away, will you celebrate Christmas early or fly out to visit them? Those interviewed will be thanked with a special treat and photo shoot. Click here for details.
 

The Queen's Birthday Honours List
 
Congratulations to the serving personnel who were honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. Click here to see the list of recipients.

 
Summer Homeport Out Now

The summer magazine is our biggest to date, and it is packed full of news and information; including our annual summary of activity - ‘A Year in the Life of the NFF’. There is information on the New Employment Model, the Help to Buy Scheme for priority house purchase, and our exclusive competition to win an annual family pass for Merlin Attractions.

Click here to read the magazine online, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to join the mailing list and we will post you a free copy.  

New Careers Service Launched for Injured Personnel
Injured and wounded Service personnel are being given access to new career opportunities with the launch of the Recovery Career Services. The online service will ensure that injured troops have access to the most comprehensive range of vocational training, education and work placements, to give them the best opportunity to compete in the civilian employment market. Click for details.

MOD Contract Rules Changes Could Save the Taxpayer Millions
New proposals could save taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds, by changing the rules which govern how MOD contracts are awarded. The current rules have made it difficult for the taxpayer to get value for money because of a lack of transparency and competition in single source contracts. Click here for details.  

South Coast Proms

The musical extravaganza featuring the Massed Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines will be held in Portsmouth on 5 & 6 July. There will also be aerobatic displays and fireworks; it will be fun for all the family! Battle of the Atlantic veterans are being invited to attend the event for free. Click here for more information and to book tickets.

Listening to YOU: Service Families Accommodation
The MOD is keen to understand customer satisfaction of those living in Service Families Accommodation. An independent research company has been appointed to undertake a monthly satisfaction survey with a random sample of residents. Click here for details on the survey.

Last Type 42 Warship Decommissions
HMS Edinburgh, the last of the Royal Navy's Type 42 destroyers, has officially bowed out of service. Click here for details.

Money Saving iPhone App

A new iPhone app, from the Defence Discount Service, is set to help the Defence community save cash. Whether it’s cheap cinema trips, a bargain outfit or the latest deals on laptops, the app allows users to get the most up-to-date savings. Click here for details.

Revised Pension Calculator NOW AVAILABLE & an Update on the Future Armed Forces Pension Scheme

The new pension calculator is now available. It is a useful tool that allows you to see the benefits you will accrue under the new Armed Forces Pension Scheme 15 (AFPS15). Click here for details, including some useful You Tube videos, and to read a message from the Chief of Naval Personnel & Training and Second Sea Lord, which provides an update on pensions, focusing on the new Early Departure Payment (EDP) point.

www.parentchannel.tv

This website offers a wide range of short videos for parents and carers. From hard hitting issues such as drugs and bullying, to the normal themes of growing up; peer pressure, sex education and homework. The videos offer useful and realistic advice from professional experts. Each video signposts to in-depth information and support help lines.

Young Singers Wanted!
Do you know a child who can sing? Are they aged 9–16 years old, with a parent or sibling currently serving in UK Armed Forces? The Royal British Legion and Decca Records are looking to give a group of talented young people the opportunity to perform a new song at this year's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, in front of The Queen. The group will have the opportunity to record a single and shoot a music video – all in aid of The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Click here for details.

Royal Navy submarine returns from longest patrol
Trafalgar-class nuclear-powered submarine HMS Trenchant has returned home from a record-breaking 11-month deployment. Click here for details.

New Online Update Service for CRB Checks

Waiting for criminal record (CRB) checks can cause Service spouses/partners, who move frequently, delays when seeking employment in a new area. From 17 June 2013, a new online Update Service will be introduced for these checks. Please note that CRB checks are now called Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Click here for details.

What’s on Near You?
Click here to visit the Royal Navy Events Calendar and find out about events happening in your local area. 

Camo Day: June 2013
Dress up, blend in…put your pennies in the tin! SSAFA's Camo Day is a nationwide non-school uniform day in support our Armed Forces and their families. It's part of Armed Forces Day celebrations, and takes place on 28 June in England and Wales, and 21 June in Scotland. Click here for details.

Improved Flexibility with Overseas Travel Allowances

Earlier this year, amendments were made to the tri-Service policy on overseas allowances, which benefit families living overseas. The amendments help harmonise and widen eligibility for the following allowances: Get You Home (Overseas), School Children's Visits, and Concessionary Travel for Families. Click here for details.

Kings Camp: Portsmouth

Kings Camp is coming back to Portsmouth! The summer holiday camps provide the children of Service personnel with an action packed week of fun and sports activities. The camps will run from 29 July - 2 August at HMS TEMERAIRE, and 5 - 9 August at HMS Collingwood.

Final funding is still to be confirmed; at this stage we are asking people to register their interest. E-mail WO1 PT Nash on: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The serving parent/guardian is encouraged to be a member of the RNRMC Payroll Scheme.

 

Introduction of the Naval Nanny Service
The Naval Nanny Service provides Naval Service parents with a reliable option for childcare, to be used when the regular childcare solution is insufficient to enable them to carry out their professional duties. It provides flexibility that regular childcare is often unable to provide. Click here for details.

Free Carvery to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
Following on from the success of last year, national restaurant group Crown Carveries, is once again supporting Armed Forces Day by offering a free carvery or breakfast to all serving personnel and veterans. The offer runs from Monday 24 - Saturday 29 June. To claim the free meal simply visit: www.crowncarveries.co.uk to download the ‘Free Forces Meal’ voucher and present it along with a current ID card, or veteran lapel badge, to staff at your local Crown Carvery restaurant.

Battle of the Atlantic 70th Anniversary

To mark the 70th anniversary of this historic event, the Royal Navy, supported by
the Merchant Navy and other maritime organisations, is holding a series of events across the UK during May 2013. The main focus will be in Liverpool, with a number of events elsewhere in the country, including London and Londonderry. Visit the Royal Navy website for further information.

Royal Marine: “My Wife Definitely has the Harder Job”

Click here to watch a short video on the BBC website, in which Colour Sgt Dominic Conway from 40 Commando, and his wife Rebecca, share their experiences of what it's like being apart for months at a time.
 

Op HERRICK: Extended Tours

The Defence Secretary has announced that the pattern of Brigade rotations for Op HERRICK will change from October. As a result, some Service personnel will be required to serve extended tours in Afghanistan, of up to 8 and potentially 9 months. A new HERRICK Drawdown Allowance is being introduced for affected personnel. Click here for details.