BAFF members on and off parade enjoyed a historic Queen's Birthday Parade in Her Majesty's 60th Jubilee Year.

The MoD has released more details of the new service pension scheme which will operate from April 2015. The Ministry says that the scheme was designed after extensive consultation with over 17,500 personnel, and that there will now be a further period of consultation for personnel to make comments before the new scheme design is finalised.

If you are absent from the armed forces without leave, the following links may be helpful:

On a visit to HMS Ark Royal, Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged his support for the Armed Forces by announcing that the military covenant will be given the force of law in forthcoming Armed Forces legislation.

The British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) has been quoted again in Parliament.

Today's Scotsman leads with claims by former officers that the Ministry of Defence decision to move the army out of Edinburgh and sell off its historic buildings is financially driven, unpopular and gives the impression of "chaos at the top". BAFF comment: The availability of land for a new major training area is likely to be a major element in this decision, but the needs of personnel and their families also need be taken into account. The Scotsman story continues:

More than 8000 personnel from Commonwealth countries (other than the UK) serve in the Royal Navy, Brish Army and Royal Air Force.

Among them are 2,200 Fijians who make up one of the largest groups of Commonwealth service men and women to serve in Her Majesty's British Armed Forces.

The full report of the Future Reserves 2020 study (FR20) is now available at the following MoD link:

The Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox is expected to make a statement to the House of Commons next week following the review led by retired judge Lord Philips relating to the crash on 2 June 1994 at the Mull of Kintyre of RAF Chinook ZD676, killing all twenty-five passengers and four crew. From BBC News:

There's been lots of debate in the media about the growing problem of alcohol abuse and the problems associated with it. Interview with Dr Rob Hicks about how big a problem alcohol abuse is within the forces. BritishForcesNews reports (04 Aug).