Reserves Day: "One day’s service means a lifetime of support from the Fund"

To mark Reserves Day (25 June), we spoke to Air Commodore Simon Harper, Director of Operations at the RAF Benevolent Fund about his role as a Volunteer Ex-Regular Reserve, the importance of Reserves and the support available for them.

What is your role as a Reserve and what does it involve?

I'm the Regional Air Officer for the southeast of England, and effectively I have two roles in that job. The first one is as the senior RAF engagement representative across the nine counties of the southeast and this can be for ceremonial events such as Civic Receptions, supporting Air Cadets, Town Shows, engagement with the local community, and representing Chief of the Air Staff and the RAF Board locally.  

My second role is to bring some coordination to that engagement requirement in the area, working with the various RAF units that there are in the southeast, to make sure that we all know the events we're supporting, that we're not missing any, or, equally, that we're not all attending the same event.

How long have you been a Reserve?

I left Regular Service in 2023 and the day after I joined as a Volunteer Ex-Regular Reserve. I had to apply with my CV, and I was selected by a panel. I am on a five-year contract in this role.

What are some of your duties?

This role fits around my full-time role at the Fund, so I may spend a few hours in the evening responding to emails and attend events at the weekend. Where there is an event on a weekday the Fund is very good at allowing me the time to carry out my Reserve role. As always there are busier engagement periods in the year such as the summer and over Remembrance.  

What do you enjoy most about your Reserve role?

I like the fact that with the role being voluntary, I have flexibility to choose the things that I want to do – whether that be supporting a veteran’s 100th birthday, a civic parade, or attending an RAF Capability Display at RAF Brize Norton.

The second benefit is that it keeps me connected with the Royal Air Force and I’m better able to understand what the RAF is doing, thinking and its current challenges. I can bring that insight back to the Fund to enable us to better support serving personnel, veterans and their families. I hope both the Fund and the RAF think it’s mutually beneficial.

Why is it important to have Reserves?

Whether working in industry, the public sector or the charity sector, Reserves bring a unique and specialist skillset and experience from their day-to-day lives back into the military. These are skills which often only Reserves can bring. I’d also say that because the Regular serving Royal Air Force is relatively small, with 30,000 or so serving personnel, we need Reserves to support operations and exercises, or just to support the home base whilst others are away. As a result, Reserves are critical both in peace and in conflict.

Why is it important to highlight our RAF on Reserves Day and during Armed Forces Week?

The Strategic Defence Review that was announced earlier this month talks about renewing the nation's commitment to those who serve. Armed Forces Week is the ideal opportunity to do this. It allows the nation to connect back with its Armed Forces, to understand and celebrate what its Armed Forces do, and to appreciate the role that the Armed Forces have in protecting this country and in wider society. I think it’s more important now, given the current global challenges and competition that we face, that the Armed Forces and the nation connect, and Armed Forces Day provides the perfect opportunity to do that.

How does the Fund support Reserves?

I think it’s important that our Reserves understand that at the RAF Benevolent Fund, one day’s service means a lifetime of support. We support Reserves as we do the serving and veteran RAF community – with practical, financial and emotional assistance. It’s vital to highlight the role of Reserves and the importance of them as members of the RAF Family. We are here alongside them; to support them, whenever and wherever they need us.