Page 67 - Chronicle Vol 17

challenge we face as the Army becomes a little smaller. In such a busy unit, we have also worked hard this year to protect our people’s work-life balance particu- larly because, by the very nature of our work, many spend a great deal of time away from home. Another challenge we face is weekly commuting as many of our soldiers and officers’ partners and families are settled in other parts of the coun- try. In a change to the past, families increasingly do not want to move around, which places added pressure on those serving.
We remain ever grateful for the support given to us by The Rifles Regimental Headquarters, not least through the Always a Rifleman Programme which has directly supported several of our people this year. More broadly we continue to enjoy the generous support of our livery company, the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, who updated our memorial wall this year and hosted many of us in London. Of course, Veterans remain central to our community, and we continue to welcome them back to celebrate our Formation Day on 1 December each year, as well as attending our Salamanca Day celebrations annually too. Our Gurkha community continue to provide wonderful richness to the Battalion fabric, and we were delighted to join G Company and celebrate Tihar and Dashain recently, which helpfully coincided with the Company’s return from operations.
I do hope this update has proved helpful and, as ever, we remain grateful for your support and care. Whilst we know how busy you are, we also hope that we might see you in New Normandy Barracks in 2024.
MJ Devenish MBE Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Officer
Annexes:
A. Battalion Appointments List
B. Battalion Appointment Changes and Farewells.
Copied to: RHQ RIFLES for Head of Engagement and The Chronicle Editor
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