10/06/2026
Over the last few weeks, I have shared a few posts with an underlying theme: veterans, former service personnel, how they see themselves, and how others see them. Those posts have touched on the Army v Navy game, the Army v RAF game, and my own thoughts on military charities.
This weekend I travel to Gibraltar to attend the Royal Engineers Association - The Sapper Charity event, hosted by Jack Noble and Richard Tomlinson of the Gibraltar Branch of the REA. It is always an excellent few days: Well organised, relaxed, and full of familiar faces. Apart, perhaps, from the march past and salute, which usually starts with good intentions before several different interpretations of “keeping step” begin to appear. But then, as we approach Eyes Right and the band plays “Wings” the Corps tune, everyone seems to brace up, regain the step, and remember exactly who we are. .
However, that is not really the purpose of this post.
The real point is the Armed Forces Covenant.
“The is a UK promise that those who serve, or have served, in the Armed Forces and their families should be treated fairly and should not be disadvantaged because of their service”. How many people really understand what that means?
How many veterans, reservists, service leavers and family members know what support it is meant to provide? How many organisations have signed it, but perhaps have not fully embedded it? And how many still see it as just another government initiative, good in principle, but only meaningful if people act on it?
I signed the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014 on behalf of HZL at a time when one of our reservists was deployed in Afghanistan and another had just recently returned. For us, it mattered. It was important to show that support was not just words on a page. HZL was subsequently awarded Silver under the Employer Recognition Scheme in 2014 and Gold in 2021. I had started to wonder whether the Armed Forces Covenant was becoming a forgotten or ignored promise. It may sometimes feel that way. But that is not what I am seeing in the East Midlands, and particularly in Derbyshire. The recently established Derbyshire Defence Employer Network - EM RFCA CEEG has taken the initiative, under the leadership of Luke Parker and Claire Carter, to promote the Covenant, encourage organisations to sign it, and help create a pathway towards bronze, silver and gold recognition under the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS). My message is simple: do not sit on the fence. As a minimum, sign the Armed Forces Covenant and make the pledge. For those who have already signed, perhaps now is the time to re-engage and ask whether the commitment is still active, visible and making a difference.
For anyone attending Gibraltar this weekend and wants to discuss this, I will be on plot.
As a closing note, the Royal Engineers Association - The Sapper Charity is also a Gold ERS holder.
Proud Sappers. Supported veterans. Meaningful action.
