Commonwealth Games

Military support to the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham, was the largest deployment of British troops on UK soil since Op OLYMPICS in 2012.

The military support to the CWG was consistent with the approach taken at the 2014 Glasgow games and the 2012 London Olympics. Planning of Op UNITY involved liaison with the Home Office, West Midlands Police (WMP), DCMS, with niche and specialist military capabilities and personnel through the Military Assistance to Civil Authorities (MACA) process.

Several MACAs resulted tasking Command, Control and Intelligence, Explosive Ordnance Disposal & High Assurance Search with Electronic Countermeasure (ECM), Imagery analysis, Counter-UAS (C-UAS) capability, Ceremonial Assets and security in the form of the Venue Assistance Force (VAF) and Contingent VAF.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that The RLC had a significant and diverse role in the planning and execution of the support to the CWG.

As Chief of Staff for Op UNITY, Maj Chris Scott RLC was the lead for planning the three pillars of Defence’s involvement in the games (Security, Ceremonial, Engagement).

His team planned and executed the training and deployment of over 1,500 Tri-Service personnel both Regular and Reserve. Once the games started, he took his place in the Multi-Agency Command Centre (MACC) located in the Police C3 building as a Military LO to the Police Tactical Commander.

Maj Mike ‘Davo’ Davies RLC (SO2 Log JMC WM), with his team, was key in the RLS support for the deployed force. They enabled a complex transport plan (including the issuing of over 150 vehicles) to the deployed force for 21 venues, 18 FOB locations and five accommodation sites. His team also planned the accommodation for the deployed force, which not only included the aforementioned sites, but the addition of hotel bookings and inevitable fastball visits, plus a feeding and laundry plan for each site. 11 EOD & Search Regt RLC was key to the Police’s shaping plan with the

The RLC at the Commonwealth Games

8 The Ceremonial Team at the Netball final

Regt’s expertise required for the high assurance searches of all venues, athletes’ villages and on-call tasks. 162 Regt RLC assisted with the RSOI and MST package at NESSCLIFF camp with 159 Regt RLC planning and executing the inaugural engagement event held at Birmingham University celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee and Birmingham’s involvement in the Games. The Regt then expanded its support with extra drivers, training and AT instructor support for off-duty personnel. Finally, 1 Regt RLC was drafted in for driver support as the operation required over 50 D1 drivers and to top it off, over 100 RLC soldiers from all regiments were deployed as part of the security plan. The RLC even infiltrated the Ambulance service with Ex-ATO Rob Stevens.

Now the games are over the RLC team within JMC HQ are planning for Op PELKIN (the Conservative Party Conference) and are looking towards winter resilience and flood prevention planning and any other requests for military assistance that must be supported.

8 Maj Makand Singh and the engagement

team meet the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast

‘‘If you and your family feel the cost of living is becoming an issue, reach out to your Unit Welfare Officers - or for our Veteran community contact www. VETERANSCHARITY. org.uk There is always someone to help

Hello everyone, and I hope most of you managed to get some time off over the summer. There has been so much Corps activity since my last “from the ranks” update, I will do my best and attempt to capture it all.

Whilst no one likes to start on a negative, I think it is obvious the country is at an all-time financial low; which is a huge concern for everyone. The cost-of-living crisis means that financial security is becoming increasing difficult to achieve. The recent MOD pay rise feels like it has been subsumed by a huge inflation rise, causing worry an angst amongst us all. I can hear you all saying… ’So what are you doing about it?’

The Corps’ Benevolence Team and I have recognised that members of the Corps family are currently suffering hardship and have acted quickly to assist those struggling during this unprecedented time. The Corps now has a Discretionary Payment Fund, empowering Commanding Officers to make small payments to help struggling Soldiers and families. We have also set up a Respite Holiday Scheme for families to enjoy free holidays in the north and south of England. Not forgetting our Veteran community, The RLC through the Corps Benevolence Team now have a partnership with the Veterans Charity that provides immediate light touch support for Veterans from The RLC and the Forming Corps, that fall on hard times.

My plea. If you and your family feel the cost of living is becoming an issue, reach out to your Unit Welfare Officers - or for our Veteran community - contact www.VETERANSCHARITY.org.uk There is always someone to help.

I continue to visit our people in and around the Corps, who unsurprisingly are doing fantastic things; whether in barracks, supporting operations or in the sporting arena. The RLC Rugby League team unexpectedly beat the

Infantry to win the Lawson Cup.

This result took the Army Rugby League community by surprise. In another giant killing, imagine four RLC Soldiers rocking up at Sandhurst with pace-sticks, in the company of seasoned “Stickers” from the Blue Red Blue gang and walking away as the 2022 All Arms (World) Pace-sticking Champions, I had the privilege of being there, and it most definitely happened. A massive well done to WO2 (SSM) Wardle and the 1 Regiment team.

June and July saw HRH The Princess Royal conduct visits to Defence Munitions Kineton - who celebrated 100 years of the Ammunition trade - and 17 Port & Maritime Regiment which commemorated 40 years since the liberation of the Falkland Islands. We also delivered a volley of Corps events; the most notable being the annual RLC Sports Awards, recognising our awesome athletes and everything they have achieved. The following day was the return of RLC Corps Open Day and the Party in the Park. Despite some questionable weather, the day was a huge success. It was fantastic to see Soldiers and Officers old and new socialising, competing in various sporting competitions and having fun. I must mention the team at 29 Regiment and 9 Regiment who delivered the event excellently, not forgetting the Heads of Trade who lead the fantastic capability stands.

On the operational front, I was overwhelmed by the huge amount of effort being put in by the team from 7 Regiment, currently supporting Op INTERFLEX. The team lead by the STWO, SSgt Sutterby, is working around the clock supporting the ongoing efforts In Ukraine.

Looking forward, 25 Regiment is planning Ex NORTHERN STRIKE The RLC’s Military Skills competition taking place at DST on 8 Oct 22. I will finish of by plugging RLC 30. Next year the Corps is 30 years old, and we plan to celebrate this in style here in Worthy Down on the 1 Jun 23. #Savethedate. WO1 C Sutherland Corps Sergeant Major RLC

The Regimental activities of The RLC are funded through private (non-public) funds held within “The RLC Charity”, The RLC Association Trust (Registered Charity No 1024036). These charitable funds comprise of contributions from serving members of The RLC via the One Day’s Pay Scheme (DPS) as well as investments providing income and growth.

The Master General of Logistics chairs the Trust Fund supported by a board of Trustees representing the serving Corps, RLC Veteran community and four predecessor Corps. The Forming Corps donated the Trust’s initial capital which having been invested has been the Corps’ financial underpinning for the last 29 years.

The objects of the Trust are the promotion of the efficiency of The Royal Logistic Corps, support to fraternity and the relief of need for eligible personnel. Each year the Corps reports on the status of these funds.

Annual Report 2021 (Abridged)

The Trustees remain confident that the objectives of the Trust, namely welfare and benevolence support for its past and present members and the efficiency of the Corps, are being met. Additionally, that the plans for the Trust are sound and well placed to meet the current and future needs of The RLC. The Trust activities include public benefit and community engagement wherever possible.

Financial reserves policy

The priorities set are to provide sufficient income to meet Association expenditure in addition to the DPS, which for 2021 totalled £1.08M. All capital expenditure associated with relocation of the home of the Corps was concluded in 2021.

Plans for future periods

All the Trust’s investments are held in

The RLC Association Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2021 (Abridged)

the Armed Forces Charity Growth and Income Fund; the investment performance continues to be strong and ahead of expectations. This is balanced by concerns about the long-term strength of the economy and the potential impact of inflation or market corrections on the value of investments. The charity’s financial priority is to ensure it can sustain its core benevolence funding in the event of significant investment losses or reduced income. The value, as at 31 Dec 21, of all investments within the Trust totalled £45.95M.

Public benefit

COVID-19 restrictions affected our responsibilities to engage with the wider community. The Corps Open Day was cancelled, and our close links with The Tower of London and our four dedicated Livery Companies were curtailed. Normally the Corps funds Freedom Parades, Bands and the Corps of Drums which perform at a wide range of public events providing closer ties with our society.

The RLC Museum (which reopened in 2021 received a grant of £100K) along with other heritage areas.

Objectives and activities

The Trust supports the activities of The RLC, the largest Corps in the Army totalling some 9,800 Regular and 3,700 Reserve soldiers and officers, funding and managing the fraternal activities of Predecessor Corps across some 80 branches. The budget in 2021 to support all Corps activities was £2.437M. Regular, trained RLC Reservists and Veterans of The RLC, Predecessor Corps are eligible for benevolence support. Communication with the Corps and our Associations is through The RLC Website, ‘The Sustainer’, The ‘RLC Foundation Review’ plus a total of 10 Newsletters at a total cost for publications, including distribution of £77k. Grants totalling some £388k were made to support sport and adventurous training including shared use of the adventurous training lodge (Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre) in the Lake District.

Achievement and performance

Support to benevolence represents the greatest single financial outlay of the Trust. The Army Benevolent Fund received a donation of £200k in 2021 and 692 grants totalling £511k were made to those in need. All Regular members of The RLC contributing to the DPS continue to be covered for accidental death or injury whilst off duty. Unfortunately, there were three payments in 2021. The DPS also provides the Medical Discharge Grant Scheme; in 2021, £51k was paid to 94 eligible medically discharged soldiers to assist with their enforced return to civilian life; an average grant of £545 per claimant, based on £80 per year of service to a maximum of 10 years.

Efficiency of the Corps

The Trust continues to support Reserve Bands, Pipes and Drums and the Corps of Drums who continue to play an increasing role in community engagement and perform at charitable and public events. The Central Sergeants’ Mess received a much-reduced grant of £14.8k due to COVID restrictions. The Headquarters Officers’ Mess, to which officers pay specifically an additional 50% of a Day’s Pay for events spent £51k. Furthermore, grants continue to be made to assist units and formations in maintaining RLC traditions and heritage and fostering community engagement.

Summary:

Income from the DPS, investments (including growth), donations and subscriptions in 2021 totalled £2.74M.

Expenditure across the full range of Corps activities for the said period was £2.33M.