At NEAS, we’re proud to recognise and celebrate the incredible dedication, courage and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community – past and present. We’re especially proud of the many veterans and reservists who are part of our team, bringing invaluable skills and experience to the service we provide every day.
We hold the gold Armed Forces Covenant and have a dedicated staff network, Serve@NEAS for those who are or have been part of the armed forces.
Throughout the week we have been celebrating those who have served through events including a coffee morning, presentations from Op Restore and Op Courage, a training session for our executive team and opportunities to talk to and raise awareness of our Serve@NEAS staff network.
Kev Scollay, chief executive, said: “Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity for us to recognise and thank the incredible dedication, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who serve, and have served, in our Armed Forces.
"At NEAS, we are proud to support the Armed Forces community who form part of our workforce. Today, we pay tribute to their contribution both within our service and across the country, and reaffirm our commitment to being a forces-friendly organisation.”
Reservists Day - 24 June 2026
William Rudd
Health advisor
I'm William Rudd, I work as a Health Advisor in the EOC. I was in the regular army for 10 years before joining NEAS serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. I've rejoined as a reservist at the start of this year at 251 medical squadron in Sunderland as a Combat Medical Technician . I rejoined to gain some further qualifications in the medical field, I missed being part of the military community and the extra pay is a bonus too. I haven't deployed anywhere as a reservist yet but I'm looking forward to upcoming opportunities.
Maruf Miah
PTS team manager
I joined the British Armed Forces Reserves 4 years ago as a CMT to challenge myself and develop new skills outside of my civilian career. Since joining, I’ve had the opportunity to take part in incredible experiences such as completing a mountain leader course in France and gaining additional qualifications.
Being part of the Reserves has allowed me to work alongside inspiring leaders and like-minded people who constantly push me out of my comfort zone and help me grow both personally and professionally. The experience has improved my confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills, which I also apply in my role as a Team Manager. The camaraderie and opportunities available through the Reserves make it a truly rewarding role.
Louise Nevin
Paramedic
After serving 22 years in the RAF as an Aerospace Systems Operator, deploying all over the world, I made the decision to have a complete career change, and go to University to become a Paramedic. I didn't want to leave the Military world completely behind, so joined the Army Reserve as a CMT (Paramedic) to keep my hand in and still enjoy the best bits of Military life! Since joining 251 Med Sqn, I've had the opportunity to go to Holland to provide Med cover for the Nijmegen Marches, and last year, I took advantage of the fantastic opportunity of deploying to Nepal for 4 weeks, carrying out basic medical checks for potential Gurkha recruits on Phase 2 of their selection process.
Gareth Alderson
Paramedic
I have served 28 years in the military and worked as a paramedic with NEAS for the past 11 years.
Currently, I am Command Sergeant Major at 2nd Medical Group, which commands 2 Regular and 12 Reserve Army Regiments - the Army’s largest medical capability.
I joined the Reserves to advance my career, develop and reinforce skills, and continue serving my country. I have deployed to many countries, including active service in Afghanistan and West Africa, with visits this year to Kenya, USA, Netherlands, and The Falklands.
The support NEAS provides to Reservists is vital in sustaining effective military healthcare.
Davy Stephenson
Paramedic education department lead
Over my 28 years of service, my reasons for being involved have evolved significantly. What began with a sense of duty and camaraderie grew into something much broader—supporting my fitness, funding family holidays, and providing valuable continuous professional development (CPD). Most importantly, it has always been about delivering the best possible care as a paramedic, helping ensure soldiers return home to their families.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been the opportunity to work alongside healthcare professionals from across the full spectrum of care—people I would rarely have the chance to train or socialise with in civilian practice. It creates a unique environment where every individual is respected for their specialist skills and experience.
The reserves also offer excellent CPD opportunities, ranging from short courses to diplomas in areas such as tropical medicine, as well as conferences that enhance both clinical knowledge and operational capability.
In my role, I bring my civilian experience as a paramedic and educator to develop Combat Medical Technicians (CMTs) and paramedics within the regiment. I also support the wider team by delivering education on pre-hospital care, helping other specialities better understand the complexities of working in that space. This ultimately contributes to improving overall operational effectiveness as a Multi‑Role Medical Regiment (MMR).