Winning wordsmith

Never Such Innocence, which runs an annual international poetry, art, speech and song competition for youngsters aged nine to 18, focusing on conflict and its impact, has announced its 2020-21 winners. Army ch...

A military child

This heart-felt poem, by army child Tyler Larkin, topped the age 9-11 poetry category in the Never Such Innocence poetry, art, speech and song competition. It runs annually for youngsters aged nine to 18, and t...

Step away from the boxes!

Tempted to get a head-start on packing ahead of your move? Cat explains why you should leave it to the experts… Normal removals policy is that the MOD pays for a full pack and unpack service – so you don’t nee...

Meet the businesses buffering the pandemic

You’d be hard pressed to find a small business not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in one way or another. Some have thrived with increased demand, while others have struggled to survive, and many have had to ...

From pad brat to Cheshire housewife

Model-turned-reality TV star Tanya Bardsley talks exclusively to Army&You about her patch past and why she doesn’t take exception to being a ‘wife of’... Catterick may lack the expansive estates and exquis...

Surplus scenarios

What's the difference between retention of an SFA and surplus SFA? AFF housing specialist, Cat Calder, explains all… Retention is an extension of your entitlement at your previous posting and there are strict ...

A helping habit

From running arts and crafts at a mums’ and tots’ group and being a music librarian for one of the Military Wives Choirs to presenting on her community radio station, army spouse Donna Burns’ extensive voluntee...

Pride and dread

A blog from Army&You’s autumn edition by @CorporalMum I’ve thought a lot about what it’s like being an army mum or dad, or any military parent. Does it mark us out as different? As much as I’m an army mum,...

Staying put for your studies

Cat goes through the retention rules if you need to stay put for study or training… One of my first successes on joining AFF nine years ago (is it really that long?!) was to push for a change in policy to allo...

Easing the way to civvy street

How can you ensure you fulfil your potential in civvy street when your soldier leaves the army? SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, provides a mentoring service to help motivate, support and empower you as your fa...