South East Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association
The South East Reserves Forces' and Cadets' Association (SE RFCA) provides support to the 3 services in South East England by maintaining the estate, connecting defence with society and providing the framework to deliver the cadet experience.
How we champion cadets
We support more than 24,000 cadets and over 4,800 cadet force adult volunteers (CFAV) in South East England. As champions of the cadet movement, we promote the benefits of the cadet experience to young people’s lives.
Best Tri-Service Cadet Award
Cadet Company Sergeant Major Roberta Sancha with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex Mr Andrew Blackman CStJ and Mr Gregory Potter from Cadet Direct. Copyright: South East RFCA
The 2025 winner of the Best Tri-Service Cadet of Sussex, sponsored by Cadet Direct, was the brilliant Cadet Company Sergeant Major Roberta Sancha from No.1 (Brighton) Detachment Sussex Army Cadet Force. Her excellence was again recognised as she was also awarded the Pooley Tri-Service Sword of Honour, which is awarded to the best Tri-Service Cadet in the South East. This is the first year the sword has been awarded and has be very generously sponsored by Pooley Swords. In addition to the ceremonial sword, Northern Trust kindly sponsored the Best Tri-Service Cadet by providing a trophy and voucher.
Speaking on her awards, Cadet CSM Sancha said “this recognition impacts me profoundly as it highlights the positive impacts we can have when we lead with purpose and support those around us”.
Promoting the reserve forces
We work closely with 40 reserve units across the 3 services based in South East England to support recruitment and promote the reserve role in delivering the UK’s defence capability.
Reservist spotlight: Sergeant James Perry
Sergeant James Perry, 3rd Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. Copyright: South East RFCA
I am Sergeant James Perry, a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) currently serving with 3rd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. I attested in May 2024 and, after completing the Advanced PTI Course in October 2025, I will assume the role of Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor (QMSI) for the Battalion.
I am proud to be the first lateral entry sergeant into this role. To achieve that, I went through a demanding selection process, beginning with an initial interview at Aldershot and meeting very high fitness standards at the assessment centre, before securing sponsorship from 3 PWRR. My Corps is with the Royal Army Physical Training Corps and I am attached arms to 3 PWRR. While the RAPTC is my professional home, 3 PWRR holds a special place in my heart, as they backed me from the start and welcomed my expertise.
In civilian life, I am one of two Fitness Consultants for Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Both the Army and Fire Service operate in the tactical athlete space, and there is a real synergy between the two roles. The access I have to RAPTC resources and networks strengthens my fire service work, and vice versa. I live in Kent with my wife, Lucy, and our four-year-old son, Thomas. Thomas is very proud of both of my jobs and often says he wants to work for the Army, the Fire Service, or sometimes both, when he grows up.
Read more about Sergeant Perry
Engaging with employers and the local community
We work with local employers to encourage support of the UK armed forces community, and to recognise the valuable skill set members of the community bring to the workplace. Our enduring relationships with local communities continue to encourage support for reserves, cadets and the wider military family across the south-east.
SERFCA and Thames Valley Police Partnering with Defence Event
SERFCA and Thames Valley Police Partnering with Defence Event. Copyright: South East RFCA.
In conjunction with and Thames Valley Police SERFCA hosted an Employer Engagement Event at the Thames Valley Police Training Centre in Reading, welcoming a broad mix of organisations from across the South East.
The evening commenced with a guided tour of the Thames Valley Police Dog Section facilities, including an impressive demonstration by one of the dogs in training who is named after former British paratrooper, veteran’s campaigner and author, Ben Parkinson MBE.
Following the tour, guests returned to the presentation hall for an opening address by the Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Jason Hogg. He was followed by Lieutenant Colonel Victoria Eaton of Headquarters South East, who provided an overview of the British Army and Reserve units in the Thames Valley, and Squadron Leader John Burgess, Officer Commanding 606 (Chiltern) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who outlined the RAF presence in the region.
Attendees also heard first-hand insights from two Thames Valley Police employees: Major Lewis Harratt, a serving Reservist, and Steve Clements, a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer. Their contributions were followed by closing remarks from Group Captain Keith Lane (Retd), Head of Engagement at SERFCA.
The event concluded with the signing of five Armed Forces Covenants (AFCs), co-signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Lieutenant Colonel Eaton and Squadron Leader Burgess.
Providing the best places to work and train
We manage and maintain the 300 buildings that are home to local cadet and reserve units as well as home adaptations for injured service people living in the south-east area.
Joint Cadet Centres Open in Banbury and Cowley Following Major Refurbishments
Oxfordshire Lord Lieutenant with the Army Cadet at the Cowley JCC opening. Copyright South East RFCA.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, recently presided over the openings of two newly refurbished Joint Cadet Centres (JCCs) in Banbury and Cowley.
The official opening of the Cowley JCC took place on Tuesday 2nd September 2025. The Lord-Lieutenant was joined by Anneliese Dodds MP (Oxford East) and the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Cllr Louise Upton, marking a proud moment for the local community. This JCC will be shared by Blackbird Leys Detachment, Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force, 2210 (Cowley) Squadron, Air Training Corps and 150 (City of Oxford) Squadron, Air Training Corps.
On Monday 13th October 2025, the Lord-Lieutenant officially opened the refurbished Banbury JCC, now home to Banbury Jordan Detachment, Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force, and 1460 (Banbury) Squadron, Air Training Corps.
Both refurbished centres underscore a shared commitment to providing high-quality environments where cadets can grow, learn, and develop into confident and capable members of society. The achievements of these projects reflect the hard work and dedication of Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, as well as the continued support of national and regional organisations working to strengthen the Cadet movement across Oxfordshire.
Contact
SERFCA
Seely House
Shoe Lane
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 2HJ
- Phone: 01252 357606
- Email: se-info@rfca.mod.uk
Follow us
Facebook: facebook.com/serfca/
Instagram: @SouthEastRFCA
LinkedIn: South East RFCA
Related content
Updates to this page
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Update of the South East RFCA page with update on Cadets, Reserves, Community Engagement and Volunteer Estate.
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Updated 'How we champion cadets', 'Promoting the reserve forces' and 'Engaging with employers and the local community'.
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Updated 'How we champion cadets', 'Promoting the reserve forces' and 'Engaging with employers and the local community'.
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Updated webpage with latest news.
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'Latest news' section updated.
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First published.