Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently travelled to the TA Centre, in Chelmsford, to show his support for an initiative to recruit more members for the reserve forces in Essex.
The day, which was officially opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Lord Petre, comprised a number of presentations organised by the Essex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) which, amongst other things, included experiences from reservists who had been mobilised for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A number of representatives of local government and Essex businesses were present to hear the benefits of service in the reserve forces, both for employers and employees. Mark attended the event both in his capacity as an Essex MP and also as the Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans at the Ministry of Defence.
Commenting after the well attended event, Mark Francois said:
"Our reserve forces play an extremely important role in the defence of the nation and, as the Government has plans to increase the reserve, it is even more vital that we encourage employers to give their support to their workers who sign up for reserve service. The event at Chelmsford was a really good one, including representatives from across the whole of the county and there was a wonderful opportunity to hear from serving reservists firsthand about their experiences in Theatre. I would encourage anyone who wants to consider serving in the reserve forces to contact the Essex Reserve Forces and Cadets Association via its website at http://www.reserve-forces-anglia.org.uk/ where they can find further information about how they might join up."