Membership is available to all ranks of the past and present Armed Forces. However election to the Executive and Management Committees is limited to ranks below staff rank as follows:

1. In the Royal Navy all ranks to Lt Commander. In the Royal Marines all ranks to Captain. In the British Army all ranks to Lieutenant Colonel.
2. In the Royal Air Force all ranks to Squadron Leader.

Our references to 'Staff Ranks' in relation to the Armed Forces refers to those ranks at 'Brass Hat' level and above of each branch.

1. Regular Service personnel may become members of civilian trade unions and professional associations in order to enhance their trade skills and professional knowledge and as an aid to resettlement into civilian life. They are not to participate in industrial action or in any form of political activity organised by civilian trade unions or professional associations. No restriction is to be placed upon the attendance at meetings of civilian trade unions or professional associations or at courses of instruction run by such organisations where attendance at such a meeting or course is intended to enhance trade skills and professional knowledge. Atendance at such meetings and courses is to be subject to the proviso that uniform is not be worn, Service duties are not impeded, and no action is taken which would bring the Service in to disrepute.
2. Service Facilities and Speakes. No Service facilities, including Service aircraft and motor transport, are to be used at, or in connection with, any function the purpose of which is to further the interests of a trade union or professional association, nor are Service bands to play at such functions. Where requests are received from either of these groups for Service speakers to lecture or give presentation, these should be referred for action to the MOD(AMPsec HQ PTC) who will reply direct to the group. If there is uncertainty about the nature of any organisation, the MOD should also be consulted.

1. Regular Service personnel are not to take active part in the affairs of any political organisation, party or movement. They are not to participate in political marches or demonstrations.
2. No restriction is to be placed upon the attendance at political meetings of such personnel provided that uniform is not worn, that Service duties are not impeded and no action is taken which could bring their Service in to disrepute.

The Combined Armed Forces Federation UK has no remit or wish to be involved in the "Operational Decision Making Processes" of the Armed Forces, and regards these as the total responsibility of Superior Officers and Government Ministers.

Click this printer icon (WORD) (PDF) to print a membership application form.

Click this printer icon (WORD) (PDF) to print a Standing Order form.

Alternatively please post your details as indicated on the application form to the membership secretary Mr Paul Rogers whose contact details can be found in the 'CONTACT US' section of this web site.

The Federation can only make representations on your behalf regarding financial and legal issues providing we have sufficient funding from Past and Present members of the Armed Forces. Separate Accounts and Budgets are maintained for each.The more financial support we have, the more support we can provide. Present members of the Armed Forces should be aware that those joining after 6^th April 2006 will now have to wait until they are 65 instead of 60 before they can benefit from their accrued Pensions and Gratuity entitlements! The Federation will work to have this amendment revoked, before further delays in pension rights are introduced.

As the Police Federation constantly remind their Membership "Can they (or you) afford not to be a member?"

This could be the best investment you ever make!

The Combined Armed Forces Federation UK exists to provide representation for past and present members of the Armed Forces, including Staff Ranks and above, on financial and legal matters as they relate to the conditions of service or any other matters. We have no remit or wish to become involved in the ‘Operational Decision Making Processes’ and regard these as the total responsibility of superior officers and ultimately Government Ministers.

The Federation is modelled on The Police Federation which provides a similar service for the Other Ranks’ of the Police Force below Superintendent status. All ranks of the Armed Forces are welcome to join our Membership, but those of ‘Staff Rank’ and above are barred from becoming members of the Executive or Management Committees.This avoids any conflicts of interest and ensures impartial and independent advice and support for our Membership. For example General Sir Michael Walker’s opinion is that an Armed Forces Federation would weaken the chain of command and undermine military effectiveness. Since we have no remit or wish to become involved in the ‘Operational Decision Making Processes’ we regard his comments as irrelevant and obviously contrary to our interest. Additionally there is no evidence or history of this being the case in the relationship of the Police Federation and the Police Force which we are aware of. At the same time we welcome any exchange of advice or assistance from Staff Ranks and above and hence our policy of embracing all ranks of the Armed Forces into our Membership and deliberations.Recently and since our inauguration in 2004, Lt. Colonel Douglas Young has set up a British Armed Forces Federation modelled on our Combined Armed Forces Federation U.K. We respectfully suggest in order to avoid confusion within the Armed Forces it would be more appropriate to refer to his organisation as the British Forces Staff Officers Association instead. This would then equate to the Police Superintendents Association which would also enable Staff Members of the Armed Forces to make any representations to the top brass they think necessary regarding operational matters.Among our membership of the present Armed Forces our attention was drawn recently to the discrepancy between N.C.O.’s and Officers, regarding ‘Flying Pay’. This is typical of a conflict of interests we will be investigating and another example of where independent and impartial advice and support is required. Present members of the Armed Forces should keep this in mind when seeking representative support on Financial and Legal matters, especially among the ‘Other Ranks’.

As a Professional Association our Federation does not have Charity Status but it can, and will, provide charitable help and advice, if and when, called upon to do so. Both past and present members of the Armed Forces have been assisted in this way since our inauguration in 2004. Please support the work we are doing in this, and other respects, by joining our Membership. This is vitally important for the future of the Federation, especially with regard to the present members of our Armed Forces.

You can help promote our campaign and our organisation by displaying these two posters. Click on the printers icons to display and print an advertisement/letter and membership invitation.