Latest news with #Reservists
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Wire
EquipmentShare Honors National Hire a Veteran Day With Day-Long Recruitment Push and Year-Round Commitment to Veteran Employment
COLUMBIA, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In honor of National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, EquipmentShare is doubling down on its commitment to hiring and empowering America's heroes. The construction technology company, headquartered in Columbia, Mo., will dedicate the day to recruiting and interviewing veterans, inviting veterans across the country to speak with recruiters and explore career opportunities across EquipmentShare's 326+ locations. 'Supporting our heroes is built into our culture,' said Schlacks. 'We are proud to have hundreds of veterans in our ranks, and we're excited to grow that number. Veterans make incredible teammates, and our company is stronger because of them.' Share On July 25, EquipmentShare's recruitment team will focus on veteran candidates. Veterans interested in joining the company are encouraged to call EquipmentShare's toll free line at 833-838-1344 or fill out the form at this link to be scheduled for same-day interviews for open roles. 'We're treating this like a telethon for our heroes,' said Jabbok Schlacks, CEO and co-founder of EquipmentShare. 'If you've served our country, we want to serve you by helping you find a career where your skills, leadership and dedication will make an impact.' At EquipmentShare, veterans are building careers. In 2025 alone, the company hired 249 veterans. Dozens of veterans have been promoted within the company, from intern to full-time hire, from driver to technician, and into regional leadership roles. Currently, 57 employees continue to serve as National Guardsmen or Reservists, supported by a culture that honors their commitments. EquipmentShare's veteran hiring efforts are powered by strategic partnerships with Hiring Our Heroes (a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation), DoD SkillBridge, and the Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). These partnerships provide pathways for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses to join the civilian workforce with confidence and support. EquipmentShare also has an internal Military Veterans Program (MVP) to guide veterans through onboarding, career development, and ongoing mentorship. Employees in the program are matched with veteran mentors and receive access to customized resources and support. 'Supporting our heroes is built into our culture,' said Schlacks. 'We are proud to have hundreds of veterans in our ranks, and we're excited to grow that number. Veterans make incredible teammates, and our company is stronger because of them.' About EquipmentShare Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, EquipmentShare is a nationwide construction technology and equipment solutions provider dedicated to transforming the construction industry through innovative tools, platforms and data-driven insights. By empowering contractors, builders and equipment owners with its proprietary technology, T3Ⓡ, EquipmentShare aims to drive productivity, efficiency and collaboration across the construction sector. With a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes a fleet management platform, telematics devices and a best-in-class equipment rental marketplace, EquipmentShare continues to lead the industry in building the future of construction. For more information, visit
ITV News
3 days ago
- Sport
- ITV News
Alun Wyn Jones appointed to military role by King Charles III
Alun Wyn Jones OBE has been appointed as Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh, by King Charles III. The former Wales and British and Irish Lions captain is the most capped rugby player in history, with 170 caps for appearances between 2006 and 2023. He became Wales' 129th captain when he led the side against Italy in the Six Nations tournament in 2009 and is one of only four players to have been selected on four British and Irish Lions tours, achieving 12 caps between 2009 and 2021. In his new role, the Welsh rugby legend will serve as an ambassador for Wales, taking over the position from Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL, the former head of the Army in Wales. Alun Wyn Jones, who will wear military uniform in this role, said he was "hugely flattered and humbled", but also "a little apprehensive." 'Having played in our great stadium and seeing the men and women in uniform holding our national flag, it was always a significant and poignant symbol of the history and connection to the military in Wales,' he said. 'There was also the iconic Royal Welsh Band serving to provide acoustics in the stadium, which is something that I enjoyed as much as a player as I continue to do now as a fan. 'My apprehension was borne out of the responsibility felt while wearing the red jersey and all that comes with representing our nation. 'Learning more about the history of The Royal Welsh, particularly Sir Tasker Watkins who served in the Welch Regiment and his heroism and commitment to Wales and Welsh rugby, made it something I couldn't turn down.' He added that he is looking forward to learning more about 3 Royal Welsh and to share his experience of leadership in sport and of leaving one career and moving into another. 'The fact that personnel serving with 3rd Battalion also have day jobs also sparked an awareness that Reservists are all around us in civilian life,' he said. 'Yes, the uniform I'll wear in this role will be very different to what I'm used to, but one I will be equally proud to wear as any jersey in my playing career and represent 3 Royal Welsh and Wales.' Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Chris Barry CBE, added: 'I am proud to welcome Alun Wyn Jones to the Regimental family as the Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion The Royal Welsh – a position that has been personally approved by our Colonel in Chief, King Charles III. 'It is an honour for us to bring into the fold a true Welsh warrior, who has served and led the national rugby team of Wales and The British and Irish Lions and the most capped rugby player in history. 'We now look forward to building a long-lasting, two-way relationship between our 3rd Battalion and Alun Wyn Jones. 'The Regimental Headquarters, on behalf of all ranks of The Royal Welsh, would like to thank the outgoing Honorary Colonel of 3 Royal Welsh, Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL, for more than 11 years of outstanding leadership and service to the Regimental family. We wish him all the very best for the future.'
Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
On Taiwan's forgotten front line, all the defensive drills in the world may not matter
The tanks and armoured vehicles rolled onto the sandy beach in the dead of night on Taiwan's Kinmen island, lying in wait for the signal. Within minutes, the order came over the loudspeaker, and the drills began with a series of huge explosions shaking the ground of this small island, located just two kilometres from China. The rumbling thunder of rockets being launched towards the water could be heard from the edge of the beach. Seconds later, the sound of machine guns and a howitzer split the air while lasers lit up the night sky with orange lines. The drills taking place at the Houhu Seaside Park on Kinmen's east coast are part of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military drills. They are hosted there to showcase its military prowess and prepare its troops in the event of a Chinese invasion. This year, the exercises are the biggest and longest ever, with more than 22,000 reservists deployed for 10 days of weapons training as well as a wide range of field exercises, which have included running through Taipei's subway system in the middle of the night. The drills on Kinmen are particularly important, given that its proximity to China has earned it the label of Taiwan's 'front line'. However, those who live on Kinmen, including the troops, believe that this designation may no longer be valid; with some of the world's most advanced weapons, if China wanted to attack Taiwan today, it could go straight for the jugular and hit the capital, Taipei. 'In the past, the military technology was not that advanced so the Chinese communists could only bomb Kinmen Island, but now they can launch missiles across the ocean, even to the United States,' said Yu-Jen Chen, who represents Kinmen in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan – similar to a member of parliament in the UK. As part of this year's larger Han Kuang drills, they will also involve 'unscripted' portions to more accurately simulate what would happen in the event of an attack. On Kinmen, this means that some of the soldiers participating in the night-time drills have not been told key information in advance. 'They will only be deployed to the beach, when they receive the order from their commanders,' said a military source who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak to the media. 'Previously they would have a planned mobilisation, but this time they don't have an arranged deployment.' Similar to the rest of Han Kuang, the drills on Kinmen this year are the largest ever, with all 3,000 soldiers stationed on the island taking part. Nine M60A3 tanks and four CM21 armoured vehicles were seen lining up before launching a torrent of projectiles towards Taiwan island. There will also be continuous shooting across the main island, neighbouring Lesser Kinmen and nine surrounding islets, marking the first time all 12 are using live fire. 'This is the biggest one in history. While the islets have been included as part of the annual Han Kuang in the past, this year we made adjustments to have simultaneous live-firing on all of them,' Lt Gen Wang Shi-Tu, commander of the Kinmen Defense Command, told The Telegraph. 'This is because of the threats, especially the threats coming from the other side of the Taiwan Strait.' China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, a stance which the government in Taipei rejects, and has not ruled out the use of force to 'reunify' the country. However, those who live in Kinmen don't believe that the drills are all that useful. 'I was joking with a general who said that if a war happens they will mobilise their troops to hide in the mountains so we can avoid escalating the battle and minimise the destruction on Kinmen,' said Wang Song-Wei, who works at the Kinmen county government. There used to be approximately 100,000 troops stationed on Kinmen Island, but over the years this number has decreased to the 3,000 or so here today – hardly enough to defend the island against China's strength of more than two million. Legislator Chen explained that having fewer troops on Kinmen makes the island less of a target. The island also doesn't look the way you would imagine a frontline to look. Former military bases have been turned into museums, with artillery used in tourist showcases and old tanks left outside to rust and decay. All of this is compounded by the greatest disadvantage facing Kinmen – that it would more or less be left to fend for itself in the event of an attack. Legislator Chen said that the 'official attitude' from the ministry of national defence in Taipei is that if Kinmen were attacked, its people would have to 'fight for ourselves independently'. This sentiment was echoed by several residents across the island, including Jason Yang, who was born and raised on Kinmen, but before retiring served as one of the highest officials in the military's combat unit on the main island. 'In the event of a possible confrontation with China, it would not be a priority for Taipei to send troops,' he said. Mr Wang believes one of the reasons that Lai Ching-te, the Taiwan president, decided to increase the scale of the Han Kuang drills this year was to appeal to the United States and, as the 'frontline', Kinmen needed to be included. The US has long maintained a principle of strategic ambiguity when it comes to Taiwan, refraining from asserting whether it would come to the country's defence in the event of an attack. The Pentagon has recently been pushing Japan and Australia to clarify what kind of role they would play if Taiwan was attacked. One unnamed US official said that this was to ensure that 'the United States and its allies have the military strength to underwrite diplomacy and guarantee peace'. For his part, Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, rebuffed the efforts, saying that his country would not join a 'hypothetical' conflict with China over Taiwan. President Donald Trump has echoed this position, while also pushing for Taiwan to do its own part to protect itself, including by increasing its defence budget. 'It is very likely Lai is trying to show off to Trump. He takes action based on loyalty. He wants people to grovel and that is what Lai is doing,' said Mr Wang. While the threat of an invasion looms over many in Taipei, for those on Kinmen, they don't believe China would attack 'its own family', as one resident put it. Kinmen and Xiamen, the Chinese city closest to the island, are very close culturally and many residents on both sides have family on the other. No one understands this better than Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who served as vice-mayor of the coastal city during the 1980s. The government in Beijing has been capitalising on these ties in recent years, adopting what has become known as the Kinmen Model. This refers to Chinese coast guard activities aimed at furthering legal cross-strait relations by removing Taipei's authority over the Taiwan Strait. China has deployed many vessels – both officially and unofficially – into the strait over the years as part of its 'grey zone' efforts to intimidate and coerce Taiwan. Given this, it came as little surprise to those gathered on the beach that the island's largest drills to date began with the encroachment of a Chinese fishing boat.
NHK
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NHK
Taiwan begins annual military drills in face of Chinese threats
Taiwan has begun annual military exercises intended to guard against a possible Chinese invasion. Taiwan's defense ministry says this year's drills are the longest ever. The large-scale exercises started on Wednesday and are scheduled to last 10 days, which is five days longer than last year. More than 20,000 reservists are expected to be mobilized. On the first day, training was provided for reservists to take part in combat. The drills will include live-fire training with High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, purchased from the United States. Taiwan also plans to verify its response to so-called "gray zone" intrusions from China. The term refers to operations to pressure Taiwan that stop short of an armed attack. In parallel with the military exercises, large-scale drills will take place in three cities, including Taipei, based on a scenario of infrastructure coming under attack. Air raid drills will also be conducted to evacuate people, including those on the streets, in the event of a Chinese missile strike. Many citizens are set to participate in these drills. This comes as China has been stepping up military pressure around Taiwan. The administration of President Lai Ching-te appears to be seeking to strengthen Taiwan's defense capabilities through cooperation between the military and civilian sector.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Army Reserves help to keep the cycle going with generous donation to West Lothian Bike Library
They were handed over as part of a wider community engagement effort Army reservists based in Livingston have ensured more people in the area can get on their bikes, with a donation to a not-for-profit organisation in the town. The soldiers from 278 (Lowland) Battery, part of 105 Regiment Royal Artillery, handed over 10 bikes to the West Lothian Bike Library. West Lothian Bike Library is a community interest company that's dedicated to supporting healthier living, sustainable travel and making cycling accessible to all regardless of age or ability. The bike library supports people across the region by providing access to bikes for health, transport, and recreation, especially to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. They offer a range of services to promote cycling in the community, including a selection of reconditioned bikes, and affordable bike servicing and repairs, ensuring that cyclists can keep their bikes in excellent condition without breaking the bank. The 10 bikes were donated as part of a wider community engagement effort by the Army Reserve unit, which is based in Beveridge Square, Livingston. The West Lothian Bike Library was delighted to receive the contribution. Sergeant Scott Urban, Regimental Mentoring Support Officer for 105 Regiment Royal Artillery, said: "This initiative was part of our continued effort to give back to the communities we serve and reflects the values of teamwork, service and social responsibility that are central to the Army Reserve. 'As Reservists we take great pride in supporting our local communities. This donation to the West Lothian Bike Library is a small way of giving back and helping those who benefit from the fantastic work the organisation does."
