BFBS Daily Dits

The Army Engagement Team host a “ Meet Your Army” showcase in Colchester, giving students, school-leavers and local businesses the chance to find out what it’s really like to be in the armed forces.     Ashley Paul tells Lauren Mitchell all about it.   🪖In this episode:  Busting common myths about the military    Young people explore the vast array of careers in the...

3 Battalion The Rifles have been commemorating the Duke of Wellington’s 1812 victory at the Battle of Salamanca.  Mark McKenzie and Jim Gellatly from BFBS Scotland tell Lauren Mitchell how it was marked at Dreghorn Barracks.  Content Warning: this episode features the sound of gunshots   🫡 In this episode:   What is Salamanca Day? Jim gives us a history lesson.  How do 3...

Tim Humphries joins Lauren Mitchell to explore the tennis tournament’s close connection with the British armed forces.      🎾 In this episode:   Volunteers from the British Army and the Royal Navy reflect on the prestige and pride they feel serving as stewards on court this year  A bittersweet moment for one sailor serving at SW19 in memory of his brother  Hear the f...

Lauren Mitchell and Curtis Tyler look back on a fun-packed community day in the sunshine at the Garrison Summer Fete.         🍦 In this episode:   Why the Fete is such an important thank-you to service personnel and families posted to Germany.  Lauren climbs into a Challenger 2 tank and gets up close to the M3 amphibious rig with 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron.  The...

The Royal Navy’s biggest training base, HMS Collingwood has held its annual open day and hosted the historic Field Gun competition.    But who won bragging rights?      George Ryland was there and tells Lauren Mitchell all about it.  ⚓ In this episode:   Behind the scenes at the historic Field Gun competition  Find out who won the coveted Brickwoods Trophy ...

After a four-year tenure as Commander British Forces Gibraltar, Tom Guy waves goodbye and sets sail for the next chapter.  BFBS Gini Carlin tells Lauren Mitchell about the special send-off...  ⛵ In this episode:   Visitors to the Rock  A final farewell for CBF Tom Guy  Highlights of Tom’s time in command  And who’s the new CBF?  📻 Fancy more to listen to? &nbsp...

Captain James Harris of REME is taking on an extraordinary fundraising challenge: three ultra marathons in four months.   BFBS’s Richard Wyeth gives Lauren Mitchell all the details.   🏃‍♂️ In this episode:   A look back at the Jurassic Ultra  A summer holiday won’t stop preparations  Nearly £3000 raised for Help for Heroes  Can he conquer the final and toug...

The military community in SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) in Belgium, have celebrated British culture at BRIT Fete.    Curtis Tyler visited the event and catches up with Lauren Mitchell.  😎 In this episode:   British personnel and families show off their culture and cuisine  Find out about the diversity of the NATO teams that make up SHAPE   Cu...

Team spirit was high in British Forces Brunei as the community came together for a 24-hour swimathon. The event raised money for the Army Benevolent Fund and several Bruneian charities.      Honor Mant was poolside and catches up with Lauren Mitchell.  🏊 In this episode:   Serving personnel, families and locals take on this relay swim   Chief of Staff and other milit...

Armed Forces Day celebrations took place in Aldershot on Saturday, bringing together all three services for a packed day of displays, activities, and community engagement.  BFBS’s George Ryland shared her highlights with Ryan Galpin.  🫡 In this episode: A rundown of the day Insight into being a Chinook pilot George makes friends with ex-sniper Aldo Kane More football predictions 📱 Watc...

Recruits at ATC Pirbright marked a major milestone with a pass-off parade after completing 13 weeks of training.  Natasha Reneaux from BFBS Aldershot talks to Ryan Galpin about the big day.   🎉 In this episode:  Ice cream, cheer masters, and proud parade-day moments  A name change for the 1 Fowler Squadron  Look ahead to Armed Forces Day in Aldershot  📻 Useful...

Government plans for new restrictions on social media use for under 16s are likely to change how those in service families keep up with their friends overseas.  BFBS’s Joe Carden tells Ryan Galpin what this could mean for the Armed Forces Community.   📱 In this episode:   Insight from Clare Shere MBE, CEO of the Naval Children’s Charity   The shift to safer comm...

Edinburgh commenced Armed Forces Week with a flag raising ceremony at the City Chambers. BFBS’s Mark McKenzie tells Lauren Mitchell all about the day and how he is spotlighting the reserves by making them radio stars. ☀️ In this episode: Celebrations in Edinburgh Scotland’s Armed Forces Week Plans Mark gets some new co-hosts 📱 Watch the Flag Raising on our socials: @bfbs.scotland on Instagram&nbs...

Gibraltar is home to a unique Armed Forces community, it’s a great posting with plenty of things to get involved with. BFBS’s George Ryland recounts her recent adventures in Gibraltar for Lauren Mitchell. ☀️ In this episode: A look into the Royal Gibraltar Regiment Gibraltar’s unique runway Life with the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron Photobombing the royal navy 📱 Follow the journey on our social...

Armed Forces Day celebrations kicked off in Coleraine in Northern Ireland on Saturday.  BFBS’s Rachel Cochrane has all the highlights for Lauren Mitchell.  🫡 In this episode:   The Royal Marines abseil from the top of the town hall  Rachel chats with Sergeant Luke Riddell from the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team  A flypast from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight&nbs...

At RAF Odiham, the Royal Air Force Chinook Role Demo Team are making final preparations ahead of appearances at several airshows across the UK this summer.    Richard Wyeth has been chatting to the air crew and shares some behind the scenes insight with Lauren Mitchell.   🚁In this episode:  Hear how the RAF aviators wow the crowd, demonstrating the aircraft's versatility...

Major Ed Rutherford of the First Fusiliers is awarded the prestigious Member of the British Empire in the King’s Birthday Honours.      BFBS Germany’s Jade Callaway catches up with Lauren Mitchell to share more about the service personnel being recognised.  👑In this episode:  What does it feel like to see your name on the Honours list?  Find out about the Combat Read...

The Royal Navy  Aquatics team have held a training camp in Gibraltar as they prepare for the inter services competition later this year.  Training is underway for swimming, water polo, diving and open water swimming.  BFBS’s Jacob Dyer was poolside with the swimmers and tells Lauren Mitchell all about it.  🏊In this episode:  Hear how training is going  Find out about the...

There’s a 3.6% pay rise on the way for military personnel. But what does this mean for you? James Wharton from BFBS Forces News breaks down the numbers.  📈 In this episode:   What does this mean for salaries?  The Savvy Squaddie gives his view  There’s also an increase in accommodation expenses, what’s the impact?  How to find out your exact increase.  Useful links:&...

June 14th is Liberation Day in the Falklands, commemorating the end of the 1982 Falklands War.   Tom Paine was there for BFBS and tells Lauren Mitchell all about it.  🐧In this episode:  Padre and Reverend Micheal Lock remembers the sacrifice Falkland Islanders and British Forces made for freedom.  Hear from Brigadier Charlie Harmer, Commander British Forces South Atlantic...

Soldiers have been enjoying a masterclass in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as part of a three-day martial arts camp at Marne Barracks in Yorkshire.  BFBS’s Chris Kaye, who is no stranger to martial arts, tells Lauren Mitchell what went down at the dojo.  🥋 In this episode:   What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?  Hear from Captain Tom Woodman, the BJJ discipline lead in the Army.  Did Chris...

The Royal Brunei Air Force are celebrating their 65th Anniversary.  667 Squadron Army Air Corps, the British Army’s only jungle aviators, headed to Rimba Air Base for a Birthday air show.  BFBS presenters Honor Mant and Tamsin Robson tagged along.  🚁 In this episode:   Honor tells Lauren all about their trip  Aviators from around the world show off their aircraft.  T...

The cookhouse at Thiepval Barracks in Lisburn has had a huge refurb.  It’s part of the EATS programme to improve junior ranks messes.  Lauren talks Rachael Price from BFBS Northern Ireland who’s been to see it.  🍳 In this episode:   Who’s serving at Thiepval Barracks?  What’s changed at the cookhouse?  What’s for breakfast lunch and dinner?  Hear from the team w...

21 infantry soldiers have been put to the test to find the Army’s Best Infanteer .  They’ve been through four days of intense physical and mental challenges in an event aimed at making the infantry more lethal and more survivable.  Lauren Mitchell talks to BFBS’s Toby Pickard who went along to watch.  In this episode:   Hear from Colonel James Loudoun OBE who master-minded the...

Sitrep is BFBS’s longest running podcast and radio series and now you can watch it!  The weekly show explaining all things defence has gone visual.    James Hirst, the show’s editor, joins Lauren to explain what it’s all about and why you should watch.  In this episode:   Hear how Sitrep provides trusted defence analysis which cuts through complicated jargon to make i...