Jun 26 - Regiment Reservists Support Uniform to Work Day
Royal Gibraltar Regiment Reservists have been supporting the annual Uniform to Work Day initiative by wearing their military uniform with pride as they set about their daily working routine.
The annual event demonstrates the strong contribution to the Armed Forces by military reservists and highlights the diversity of civilian employment, it also gives reservists the opportunity to show their employers how much they value their support.
Working in HM Customs are reservists Major Ernest Danino, Officer Commanding B Squadron and Musician Manuel Bunavia. Their line manager is Higher Executive Officer Jonathan Lopez who is very supportive of their role within the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Reserves, he noted ‘In my working relationship with Ernest and Manuel I have been able to appreciate that they are both natural leaders and are happy to display those leadership skills, there is no doubt that they have developed certain skills, both professionally and personally, as a reservist, which is very useful within customs work. They show a lot of initiative and are very proactive.’
LCpl Matthew Coulthard has been an army reservist for 3 years and works as a full time firefighter at City Fire Brigade. He thoroughly enjoys his secondary career and has already noticed the benefits some of his training as a reservist has had on his day job, ‘as a relatively new firefighter, I’ve just completed the Ambulance Attendance Course and found my military background very useful, every soldier is trained in basic first aid but I also completed an additional Medics Course and an Instructor Course for First Aid, therefore I could put that knowledge to good use and pass my Attendance Course fairly well’ he said.
At HM Prison, Prison Officers and reservists Sgt Orlando Vinas and LCpl Karim Pacheo also supported Uniform to Work Day. Both officers joined the prison service two years ago, Sgt Vinas has been a reservist for 24 years whilst LCpl Pacheo has served for four years. They both enjoy the camaraderie, education and overseas travel. Their commitment to their reservist role is very evident as they juggle shift work with evening training sessions and they will often leave an overnight shift at Prison to go straight onto a weekend exercise with the Regiment.
Their line Manager Gareth Coom recognized the benefit of their military background when both officers joined the prison service, ‘I think they bring a lot to the department, they have proven that they were able to hit the ground running when they took on their roles, they have discipline and a knowledge of structure which has helped them learn quickly and you can tell there is something special about the way they conduct and project themselves’.
The Royal Gibraltar Regiment will be holding a Reserves Open Day on Saturday 5th July at 1200 in Buffadero Training Centre for those interested in finding out more on the matter.
