Saturday 29 June Today is Armed Forces Day, the annual opportunity for us all to show our support for the men and women who make up the armed forces community. Though this day is primarily aimed at those serving personnel in the regular and reserves across all three services of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, it also celebrates service families, veterans and the contribution of cadets. As such I wanted to write a small piece about my own military service and what this day means to me and to those that currently selflessly serve our country.
My career in the armed forces
In 1988, I embarked on a journey that would shape my life profoundly — I joined the army. My initial training was at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and that led to a commission as officer into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment — which, at the time, was based in Germany at a time referred to as ‘Cold War’.
Over the course of the next 12 years, I rose to the rank of Major and served in various locations across the globe. My operational tours included deployment to Northern Ireland Kuwait and two separate tours in the former Yugoslavia — the first with the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) and then as part of the NATO Implementation Force (IFOR) following the signing of the Dayton Agreement.
These years were marked by significant experiences and challenges. My service also took me to training exercises in diverse locations such as Canada, Norway, and Kenya.
The importance of military service and Armed Forces Day
Military service is not just a job — it is important we stand up as a nation for what we believe is right and true. It’s about protecting our values and way of life and also supporting our allies who share those. That means we need credible armed forces to deter — and if need be take the fight — to those that threaten our freedoms. Every single day, around the clock, our soldiers, sailors, and aviators are making significant sacrifices. Now I did that for 12 years and was happy to do that as a volunteer, as indeed all our forces are. Nobody compels them to do it. They do it because they think it’s important
Armed Forces Day is a crucial reminder of these ongoing sacrifices. It’s a moment for the nation to pause and acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of our military personnel. While those who serve do not seek adoration, it is nice to know the people back home at least acknowledge what you’re doing, the value of that commitment and appreciate that sometimes it can be a very tough job for families and loved ones as well.
They are there to support their husbands, wives, sons and daughters, who could be a very long way from home, in harm’s way for our sake. I think if things aren’t on the TV or splashed all over the papers there’s a risk people don’t appreciate what is being done by these dedicated professionals day in and day out. Armed Forces Day is a good opportunity for us to stop for a moment, think about that. Think about the sacrifices that are being made on our behalf every single day.
Armed Forces Day allows us to show our support and appreciation. It’s a day to reflect on the tough jobs our military personnel undertake and the equally important role their families play. It’s about acknowledging their dedication and the vital impact they have on our nation’s security and protection of our way of life.
As we celebrate Armed Forces Day, I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who serves and their families. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. For those of us at Active Care Group, supporting and promoting this day is a small way to show our gratitude and respect for your service.
