British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF)

New BAFF campaign for statutory recognition of an armed forces staff association - click here for more info

Welcome to BAFF's official website. It provides information about the Federation's aims and some of its work and projects, along with related news, comment and information. Serving and retired HM Forces personnel can join BAFF here.

BAFF is the independent membership-based professional staff association for HM Forces. Membership is open to all ranks, serving and retired, of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, British Army, and Royal Air Force, including the reserves. The Federation is managed by an elected Executive Council drawn from a wide range of ranks and former ranks in the three services.

Perhaps the most distinctive development over the last decade has been the launch of the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) as an independent campaigning professional association for serving and retired service personnel.

• Source: Demos think tank: 'Out of Step, The case for change in the British Armed Forces'

One manifestation of the discontent of the rank and file is the creation of the British Armed Forces Federation, a non-political body composed of serving and former members of the Armed Forces, who have joined together to campaign for better pay and conditions for troops.

For many in the military, the majority of whom are conservative by nature, the mere existence of such an organisation would have once been unthinkable. But in today's climate the organisation's membership is growing daily and it is developing into a powerful and influential force.

• Source: Sunday Telegraph Defence Correspondent - 'Wounded troops are treated as just figures'

• See also: More quotes about BAFF and the principle of an armed forces federation

NEWS

General news

House of Commons Defence Committee recommend MOD to 'consider more constructively' an independent Armed Forces Federation

Inquiry on Recruitment and Retention in the Armed Forces

On 30 July 2008 the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence published the report of their Inquiry on Recruitment and Retention in the Armed Forces.

The Select Committee's wide-ranging inquiry took in the issue of representation for armed forces personnel, concluding that:

We have listened carefully to the arguments both for and against an Armed Forces Federation. We are open-minded about the benefits of such a Federation, but we are concerned that the MoD is not. We recommend that the MoD considers more constructively the possible benefits which may be gained from an independent Armed Forces Federation, and encourage the MoD to consult with the British Armed Forces Federation.

• more about the Defence Select Committee's report

• media coverage of the report

Moving forward: BAFF AGM 2008

The Federation's Annual General Meeting took place in London on Sunday, 27th July, 2008. Apart from statutory Company business, the main business related to strategy and the Federation's ongoing work to reassure and explain the case for representation to Government, Parliament, the media, the serving community and the Chain of Command. These efforts were now starting to bear fruit. Amongst other things, the meeting also agreed:

• Following BAFF's authorisation by the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated claims management activities, to offer selective legal representation to members affected by specific problems such as seriously substandard barracks accommodation.
• To negotiate with our legal advisers a new service for BAFF members of representation in employment tribunal cases.
• To maintain membership subscriptions at the present levels of £5 a quarter (£20 per year) up to and including serving Cpl/Leading Rate or £7.50 a quarter (£30 a year) for everybody else, with the Executive Council being asked to keep under review the possibility of a low-cost associate membership category without specific benefits or services.
• To seek 'Observer' status with EUROMIL, the European Organisation of Military Associations.
• To apply in due course for membership of the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO).
• To elect new members to the Executive Council, including one Army member currently on operations, one recently returned from operations, one serving RAFVR, and one retired senior (one-star) officer. D Young was elected Executive Chairman.

Victory for 'Social Housing Discrimination' campaign

• More on this

Do our troops mark the X?

The launch issue of 'Total Politics' magazine has a feature article by Ben Duckworth about electoral participation by armed forces personnel.

• BAFF and the 'Service Voting Campaign' get several mentions.
• more on this: Do our troops mark the X?

Bolton MP backs formation of soldiers' federation

(The Bolton News, 2 June) A Bolton MP is backing moves to give soldiers a voice through the creation of an official British Armed Forces Federation. David Crausby wants ordinary servicemen to be recognised by the Government in the same way as police officers through the Police Federation.

• More on this

Armed Forces (Federation) Bill

MPs introduced a new Private Members Bill for the establishment of a Federation for the Armed Forces.

• More on this (updated 20 June)

Ministry of Justice authorisation - significant new BAFF capability

The British Armed Forces Federation has obtained Ministry of Justice authorisation to provide claims management services. Authorisation opens up the potential for members to benefit from a wider range of discretionary legal claim services. More

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