The Ministry of Defence has recently appointed a new Head of Resettlement to replace Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell, who is retiring from the Army later this year. Under Head Office ‘streamlining’, the Director Resettlement post has moved under the Training Education Skills and Resettlement (TESR) organisation and will be located in MoD Main Building from 9 June 2010. Colonel Ian Waller Late AGC(ETS) has taken over the resettlement portfolio with a role to maintain, develop and, where possible, improve resettlement provision for the 20,000 or so annual leavers from the Armed Forces.

On assuming his new role, Colonel Waller said, ‘I am really looking forward to the challenge of this assignment. There is no doubt that for the vast majority of Service leavers the resettlement package provided by the MoD system really meets their needs. Of course, we can do better and we will be striving to do so in the coming months. Key to success in this area will not only be communicating the offer in a better way but also ensuring Early Service Leavers and those Medically Discharged receive the best resettlement provision we can provide them with.’

When not at his desk, Colonel Waller divides his time between London and family in Dorset. He is a keen golfer, playing off a 5 handicap, struggles with real tennis at Lord’s, does hard yards in Regent’s Park in the morning, dabbles at squash, and loves to ride his bike and ski. Although a lifelong Arsenal fan, his real sporting passion is cricket, and Somerset CCC in particular.

 

 

 

 

Last month, the Ministry of Defence announced changes to the way that the Army manages injured and sick personnel. These changes are intended to maximise the deployability of the Army, by returning as many sick and injured personnel to full service as possible. There will also be significant improvements to the support the Army gives to medically downgraded personnel, whether returning to duty or civilian life.




Changes to the Medical Employment Policy mean that personnel who would previously have been automatically discharged may instead be able to remain in the Army. The new policy is about retaining and retraining people, wherever possible, for a role that fits their medical capacity. It looks at a soldier’s ability to be employed and to deploy. If a worthwhile role can be found, or where it is in the interests of the individual and the Army, an individual will be allowed to remain within their trade if possible, or to transfer to another and retrain if required. Those who are discharged will leave the Army over an appropriate period of time, and will be given support throughout the process – however long it takes.

The support available will include external work placements and learning new skills, just like that provided to those leaving the Army at the end of their engagement or commission. 


Links with Service charities will ensure that charitable support for those leaving the Army is fully coordinated.
To find out more (including details of the new Army Recovery Capability policy), visit www.army.mod.uk/news

 

 

 

 

Created in December 2001, with more than 50 years of experience following the merger of the main missile companies in France, the United Kingdom and Italy, MBDA has advanced to become a world leader in missiles and missile systems. In addition, the company is also strategically placed to advance and develop transatlantic cooperation with the USA. MBDA now has over 10,000 employees in France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany.

 

By bringing together the best technology skills from within its domestic countries, France, Germany, Italy and the UK, MBDA is ideally equipped to meet Europe’s specific defence requirements. As the lead partner in each of these four countries, MBDA continues to prove its capabilities as a prime contractor in driving forward major programmes that will equip the latest generation of aircraft and warships, as well as the soldier in the field.

 

MBDA has three major aeronautical and defence shareholders: BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%), and is the first truly integrated European defence company.

See MBDA advertisement on page 58

 

 

 

 

The CTP is working with government departments towards developing tailored pathways to public-sector careers for Service leavers. It has already developed new working or enhanced existing relationships, leading to job opportunities with agencies including MoD Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the People, Pay & Pensions Agency (PPPA). See www.ctp.org.uk for more information: click on the link ‘Public-sector careers’. Read more about employment with MoD agencies in our feature on page 28.