Vigilance can report that ground-breaking TV adverts were last week aired live from military operations as part of a brand new campaign to encourage more people to join the Territorial Army (TA).
In the first of its kind for the military, the innovative, attention-grabbing adverts was broadcast live from operations in Afghanistan to kick start the brand new TA LIVE campaign.
The adverts captured TA soldiers going about their everyday duties as Reservists in Afghanistan alongside their Regular counterparts. With each advert running for approximately one minute, it was meant to transport viewers directly to the front line, enabling them to witness firsthand how people with very similar lives to theirs are volunteering to serve their country as a fulfilling second career.
TA LIVE illustrates the huge range of exciting opportunities available to Reservists and help encourage more people to consider joining the TA, which will increase in number to 30,000 by 2018. A source at the MoD said the live sixty seconds snippets from live operations will run over the next two weekends.
Major General Ranald Munro, Deputy Commander Land Forces (Reserves) said: “There has never been an advertising campaign like this. TA LIVE is an incredibly exciting opportunity to bring the TA to life and show just what a TA soldier does on the ground. We think this is a great way to demonstrate and educate the public about the role of the TA and the vital contribution they make to the UK Armed Forces. I know that there are plenty of people around the country who can play a key role in shaping the future of the Army.”
Whilst Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois enthused: “As a former TA officer myself, I understand the dedication required but I also know how incredibly rewarding and exciting it can be. It is a career that could take you to new countries, will equip you with new skills and will give you an invaluable bond with new friends. We are building an integrated Future Force with a greater reliance on the Reserves and to do this we are investing an additional £1.8 billion over ten years to improve their training and equipment. This campaign is another step towards this goal and I would encourage people watching at home or attending one of the regional events to seriously consider serving with the TA.”
A source at the MoD boasted TA LIVE is not just a TV advertising campaign, this is just the start, saying it will continue to promote the TA over the next 12 months through a range of activities and events where potential recruits to find out more about the TA and talk to TA soldiers.
The source revealed that TA units and local communities from all over the country are already backing the campaign and are taking part in over 150 demonstrations and public events over the next month at popular regional spots to show what the TA is all about.
Also, in another development the Mod has said seriously injured veterans are to get financial support for life. A new benefit will mean that seriously injured veterans will be guaranteed financial support of around £7,000 a year for life, the Defence Minister Mark Francois and Minister for Disabled People Esther McVey disclosed last week..
It is being planned that in April the MOD and DWP will introduce the Armed Forces Independence Payment, a brand new benefit for members of the Armed Forces and former members of the Armed Forces who have been seriously injured as a result of their service.
A source at the MoD said as a recognition of their immense sacrifice serving their country this will ensure that they receive around £7000, in financial support every year for the rest of their life. This the source said is in addition to the financial support they receive through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
The source said further that the Coalition Government is committed to helping those that have served their nation in as many ways as possible so it has decided to put in place these special arrangements for seriously injured personnel, saying rather than face separate assessments the Armed Forces Independence Payment will ensure that seriously injured personnel continue to receive ongoing payments to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries.
According to our source at the MoD this is the latest measure to be announced as part of the Government’s commitment to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant so that personnel and their families are not unfairly affected by their service to their country and to ensure special consideration is given to the injured and bereaved.
Minister of State for Defence, Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Mark Francois said: “The men and women of our Armed Forces have served their country with honour and bravery so it is only right that those seriously injured by their service receive financial support to help with the additional costs associated with their injuries. So I am delighted that seriously injured serving personnel and veterans will be able to avoid the unnecessary duplication of reassessments and continue to receive disability benefits via these new arrangements. This is part of honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and I look forward to the introduction of the Armed Forces Independence Payment in April.”
Work and Pensions Minister Esther McVey echoed: “A considerable sacrifice is made by a number of courageous members of the Armed Forces who have been injured as a result of their service to the Nation. That is why we are simplifying and streamlining the welfare support for the most severely injured veterans when they return to the UK. It will help to recognise the unique support needs of veterans.”