RIP Drummer Lee Rigby 2 RRF
RIP Drummer Lee Rigby 1987-2013
Armed Forces Healthcare
EVERYONE who commits to Serve, and who is then wounded, injured or sick, should be TREATED TO THE SAME HIGH STANDARDS.
Help for Heroes Recovery Centres have demonstrated how this can be done at the recovery stage. But the same high standards must be applied at all stages of treatment, especially diagnosis.
Debate on Security Implications of an Independent Scotland
BAFF members attended a RUSI Members' Discussion Panel this week to discuss the security implications of Scottish Independence, should that be the outcome of the referendum on Thursday 18 September 2014.
Recruitment of young people: BAFF evidence to Armed Forces Bill Committee 2011
BAFF submitted evidence to the Armed Forces Bill Committee in 2011 on a number of points, including the recruitment of young people into the armed forces. With MoD policy on that issue again coming under attack, below for reference is what the British Armed Forces Federation said at that time in part of our written evidence:
Army Apprenticeships: New recruits parade at AFC Harrogate 20.2.2012
Hundreds of the Army's newest recruits have finished their first phase of training at The Army Foundation College in Harrogate. They have spent the last six weeks being transformed into junior soldiers. Family and friends joined them for their first military parade marking their passing into the college. Video report from BritishForcesNews Feb 2012:
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme 'infected' by compensation culture - Response by BAFF Chairman
Today’s Mail on Sunday claims that “Britain’s compensation culture” has now “infected” our armed forces.
A story by respected defence journalist Sean Rayment says that since 2005, more than 16.000 troops have been paid almost £341 million under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).
Armed forces personnel to be exempt from housing benefit changes
The Government has announced that the families of armed forces personnel are to be exempt from the controversial deductions in housing benefit - the so-called bedroom tax - as part of the Government's effort to clamp down on under-occupied social housing.
Defence Committee backs BAFF call for Armed Forces Ombudsman
The influential House of Commons Defence Committee has backed BAFF's call for the role and powers of the Service Complaints Commissioner to be enhanced to that of a full Armed Forces Ombudsman.
Joining the British Armed Forces Federation or renewing your membership
BAFF Membership is open to all serving regular and reserve members of HM Forces, and to former members.
BAFF in the news
May 2013
23 - BAFF's Adrian Weale was interviewed on the BBC World Service following the killing of a man believed to be a serving soldier in yesterday's incident outside Woolwich Barracks, London.
Apr 2013
23 - The BAFF Chairman, Douglas Young, gave three BBC radio interviews following the release of a new paper by Child Soldiers International and ForcesWatch: 'One Step Forward'.
'Signing Up at 16': BBC radio programme
While BAFF continue to participate in debate about under-18 apprenticeships in the armed forces, BBC Radio 4 is running a series of three programmes about the Army Foundation College, Harrogate. The second episode was broadcast on 20 May and is available for seven days to 'Listen Again'.
Army Foundation College: 'From civvies to soldiers in 10 months' 29.6.2012
BritishForcesNews reports that the Army Foundation College in Harrogate is the training ground for our junior soldiers; the place where teenagers are turned into troops.
New Defence Committee Inquiry: Future Army 2020
The Defence Committee has announced a major new inquiry into the future of the Army as envisaged in the Ministry of Defence’s plans for Future Army 2020. The inquiry will examine the rationale behind the plans, the resources required and the achievability of Army 2020. It will not examine decisions on individual regiments and units or specific basing decisions.
Service complaints system: 'Still inefficient and undermining confidence in the chain of command'
The Armed Forces complaints system is still inefficient and undermines confidence in the chain of command, says the Service Complaints Commissioner (SCC) in her fifth and final Annual Report to Parliament. The report quotes the British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF).
BBC Revealed Extra at Harrogate Army College
In 2011 the BBC Revealed Extra show went to the Army Foundation College (Harrogate) to follow some new recruits through their initial 6 weeks of training. Watch the show to find out how they changed and what Anthony Baxter, the BBC reporter, thought. (20min video).
Arctic Star and Bomber Command Clasp: Eligibility criteria and how to apply
The Prime Minister announced on 19 December 2012 that veterans of the Arctic Convoys in the Second World War would be awarded an Arctic Star and that the veterans of Bomber Command would be awarded a clasp to the 1939-1945 Star.The Government has now (26 Mar 2013) announced the eligibility criteria for these awards, along with details of how to apply.