Armed Forces Covenant

The armed forces community in Reading

Brock Barracks is the headquarters for the Territorial Army unit 7th Battalion The Rifles, and hosts both Army and Sea Cadets. Reading is also home to a large ex-Gurkha community. At time of the 2021 Census, there were 3,600 Veterans living in Reading.

Reading Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

The Reading Armed Forces Covenant encourages support for the armed forces community working and living in Reading, including veterans and reservists and their families. It helps them to have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen.

This is underwritten by our Armed Forces Covenant and our representation and support to the Royal County of Berkshire Civilian Military Partnership. 

The Reading Armed Forces Community Covenant was first signed in 2012 by the 7th Battalion The Rifles, on behalf of the armed forces community, Reading Borough Council and a number of statutory and voluntary and community sector partners and businesses in Reading. This has been superseded by the new Armed Forces Covenant which was signed by the council and the 7th Battalion The Rifles in September 2026.

Two people shake hands at an Armed Forces Covenant signing ceremony, seated behind a Ministry of Defence branded table.
Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award badge.

Through the covenant, the council pledges to endeavour to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant: 

  • Members of the armed forces community should not face disadvantages arising from their service in the provision of public and commercial services. 
  • In some circumstances special provision may be justified, especially for those who have given the most, such as the injured or bereaved. 

As well as pledging the following actions:

  • Appointing an elected member as Armed Forces Champion to act as a focal point for organising and promoting support for the armed forces community  
  • Engaging with and support 7 Rifles and the local armed forces charities through regular meetings of the Reading Armed Forces Partnership    
  • Promoting the Armed Forces Covenant and our support for the armed forces community to the wider public  
  • Supporting and promoting armed forces events, such as Armed Forces Day/ Week, Reserves Day and Remembrance activities  
  •  Providing training, such as e-learning, for our staff on the armed forces community 
  • Maintaining a dedicated armed forces page on our website and signpost members of the armed forces community to available support.   
  • Using the covenant and Employer Recognition Scheme logos in our communications and marketing 
  • Supporting reservists by offering them additional days of annual leave in order to carry out their duties.  
  • Offering additional paid annual leave to Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to help them carry out their training requirement  
  • Extending the guaranteed interview scheme to include Veterans seeking employment  

Further information on the covenant can be found on the Armed Forces Covenant website.

If you would like further information, please contact Jill Marston at jill.marston@reading.gov.uk.

Last updated on 08/10/2026