Results of the VRFC Photographic Competition 1999
(16 February 2000)

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Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie announced today (14 May 2002) that a small number of medical reservists would be compulsorily mobilised. The requirement is for 6 surgeons and 5 anaesthetists from the reserves to support current operations this summer, continuing with broadly similar numbers (or slightly higher depending on the actual level of operational activity) through to next spring. The first group, to be called out in mid-June, will consist of 5 anaesthetists and 2 surgeons, followed by a further 4 surgeons in mid-July, and then replacement of the first group in mid-August.

Each reservist will be called out for about 3 months (2 months deployment plus 1 month comprised of pre-deployment training and post-tour leave).

They will deploy to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and operations in support of Afghanistan.

The initial plans in detail: anaesthetists – one each to Bosnia and Kosovo, and 3 to Afghanistan and operations in support of Afghanistan; orthopaedic surgeons – 2 to Afghanistan and operations in support of Afghanistan; general surgeons – one each to all 4 locations.

The reservists are required to ensure that our operational commitments are met without placing an intolerable burden on the regular cadre. The percentage shortfalls amongst regular anaesthetists, general and orthopaedic surgeons are respectively 82%, 58% and 61%.

Reservists will be called out under the existing call-out orders made under the Reserve Forces Act 1996.

Personnel will be drawn initially from volunteer reserve medical units of the TA. The other Services’reserves may become involved later.

he 1996 Reserve Forces Act provides certain safeguards for both the reservist and civilian employer. This includes the right the right to seek exemption from, or deferral of, call out.

Because of the relatively small numbers required, and the specialist nature of their work, it should be possible for the call out to be undertaken in a way which takes account of individual circumstances. This will enable us to maximise the benefits of compulsory mobilisation, while reducing the likelihood of appeals.

Those called out will receive all the conditions of service that go with being called out. This includes financial assistance to make up, within certain banded limits, the difference between civilian earnings and military salary. It also includes employment protection under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) Act 1985. Their employers will also be eligible to claim financial assistance to help to cover some of the costs associated with releasing them for service.

MoD has been in contact with the Department of Health to discuss our plans.

MoD aims to give as much warning as possible to the Trusts affected and also to ensure that no Trust carries a disproportionate burden at any one time. We hope that these measures may help to reduce disruption to NHS patients.

NELC is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (ANDPB) and because of a recent retirement, there is a requirement to appoint a new member early in the new year. Click here to go to a page of information regarding the requirements for appointment.

1. The National Employers’ Liaison Committee is again sponsoring a photographic competition for images depicting life as a member of the Reserve Forces.
2. The categories for entries are:

Category 1: Best Portfolio.
Eligibility: Open to civilian, military, professional or amateur photographers.
Requirements: Portfolio of six photographs depicting life as a member of the Reserve Forces. The portfolio should include at least one from each of the following themes:

• a. Military Training or Operations
• b. Military Sport or Adventurous Training
• c. Reservists in the Civilian Workplace

Category 2: Best Military Training or Operational Photograph.
Eligibility: Open to civilian, military, professional or amateur photographers.
Requirements: A single photograph depicting one or more Reservists in a military training or operational situation.

Category 3: Best Military Sport/Adventurous Training Photograph.
Eligibility: Open to civilian, military, professional or amateur photographers.
Requirements: A single photograph depicting one or more Reservists in a Military Sports or Adventurous Training situation.

Category 4: Best Photograph taken by a member of the Volunteer Reserve Forces.
Eligibility:Any currently serving member of the British Volunteer Reserve Forces.
Requirements: A single photograph depicting one or more reservists in either operational, military training, military sports/adventurous-training or workplace situation.

Category 5: Best PR Photograph.
Eligibility: Open to civilian, military, professional or amateur photographers.
Requirements:A single photograph that could be used to promote the Reserve Forces to the General Public.

Competition Rules. The rules are as follows:

• Photographs must be taken during the 24 months prior to the closing date.
• The closing date for the competition is Midnight, 31 Dec 00. Entries must be delivered to Duke of Yorks HQ before the closing date. Entries received after that date will not be considered for an award.
• All entries must be prints, must measure exactly 8" (+ – ½") along the shortest edge, and be flush mounted (no borders) on card.
• Entrants may enter only 1 portfolio in category 1. In categories 2-5 entrants may enter up to 2 prints per category. Entrants may include duplicate prints from their portfolio for the individual categories.
• All submitted prints must carry a copy of the Exhibition Certificate on the reverse. A blank certificate is at Annex A to this instruction.
• Copyright remains with the photographer. However, entry to the competition constitutes the granting of a licence to use the images for whatever purpose without fee to NELC and the Directorate Reserve Forces and Cadets. In this context entrants may be required to loan negatives/transparencies to DRFC4/NELC for copying/reproduction purposes.
• Chairman NELC has final say on all matters relating to the competition rules.
• Prints will not be returned to entrants.

Sponsors. The following companies have already decided to sponsor the competition:

• Category 1 – Panasonic
• Category 2 – TBC
• Category 3 – SnugPac
• Category 4 – Fuji Professional Imaging
• Category 5 -TBC

Prizes. The prizes are as follows:
Prizes for each category are:

• First prize – £250 plus equipment for category winners.
• 2-times Runners-up – equipment; as donated by the category sponsor.

Click here for a printable exhibition certificate.

Competition Address. The competition address is:

The VRFC Photographic Competition
DRFC4/NELC
Duke of Yorks HQ
LONDON
SW3 4SS

For further information and clarification of the rules contact Maj Peter Clarke on:

Telephone: 020 7218 5262
Fax: 020 7218 4888
E-mail: [email protected]

Click on any of the images to download a 1024 x 768 jpg of each photograph, or click here to go to a page to download a .bmp version in zipped form. Any of the freely available unzip programmes will enable these to be used directly as wallpaper for Windows for example. The photographs remain Crown Copyright and are available here for private use only.

Category 1 – Best Portfolio
Sponsored by Panasonic & Practical Photography Magazine

Winner: Sgt A P Carnall who wins £250, a Panasonic CD Re-Writer and a 12-month subscription to Practical Photography

Category 2 – Best Operational or Training Photo
Sponsored by Canon (UK) Ltd

Winner: L/Cpl Wise who wins £250.

Runners-up – Sgt A P Carnall and Mr I L Forshaw They each win a Canon compact camera

Category 3 – Best Sports or Adventurous Training Photo
Sponsored by Snugpac

Winner: Sgt A P Carnall who wins £250 and a Snugpac Softee jacket.

Runners-up – Mr J L Forshaw and S/Lt M Alder RNR They each win a Snugpac Softee jacket.

Category 4 – Best Photo taken by a Reservist
Sponsored by Fuji Professional Imaging

Winner: Sgt A P Carnall who wins £250 and 20 rolls of Fuji Velvia transparency film.

Runners-up – L/Cpl Wise and L/Phot Coombes RNR. They each win 20 rolls of Fuji Velvia film.

Category 5 – Best PR Photo
Sponsored by Young & Rubican

Winner: Sgt A P Carnall who wins £250.

Runners-up – L/Phot Histead RN and Mr JL Forshaw. They each win £50.

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