As part of Armed Forces Week, Landmarc is celebrating the colleagues who are members of the Armed Forces community by sharing their stories of service, volunteering and commitment.
One of those colleagues is Rodger Mills, Compliance Manager in the South East, who has dedicated 34 years to volunteering as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV).
Rodger first joined the Cadet Forces as an adult volunteer in 1992 after leaving school, having previously been a member of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Today, he serves as Lieutenant Commander (VCC) First Lieutenant, overseeing Royal Navy units based within naval establishments across Hampshire and acting as a liaison between the Volunteer Cadet Corps, the Lord Lieutenant’s Office, local communities and other Cadet Forces.
Reflecting on what has kept him volunteering for more than three decades, Rodger said:
“The cadets’ enthusiasm is infectious. It makes a nice break from work and teaches me transferable skills. I enjoy paying it forward and helping shape the cadets’ future and turn them into better citizens. The banter and camaraderie are also first class.”
Alongside supporting young people, Rodger says his volunteering has strengthened many of the skills he uses in his role at Landmarc, including leadership, teaching, resilience, safeguarding, safety awareness and team management, while also giving him a deeper understanding of how the military operates.
Landmarc supports colleagues who volunteer through its Volunteering Programme, Be The Difference, helping employees balance their community commitments with their working lives.
Rodger believes the Cadet Forces provide young people with much more than practical skills.
“The Cadet Forces give young people a sense of purpose and group identity. They develop motivation, discipline and duty, while gaining valuable qualifications and life skills that benefit both them and their communities.”
He also believes employers have an important role to play in supporting volunteers.
“Anyone who gives up their time to help train the youth of today is motivated and has a strong moral compass. They bring valuable transferable skills back into the workplace, from leadership to first aid, and can help organisations strengthen their links with local communities.”
After 34 years of service, Rodger says volunteering has become part of who he is.
His advice to anyone considering becoming a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer is simple:
“Do it – you’ll wish you’d done it sooner.”
As Landmarc marks Armed Forces Week, Rodger’s story highlights the positive impact that volunteering can have,not only on young people and local communities, but also on the volunteers themselves and the organisations they work for.
