The Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force is a challenging job. Notts ACF relies on the PRO's expertise to promote and explain what the organisation does. 

The PRO is based at County Headquarters and advises the Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Commanders and the Cadet Executive Officer on the public relations implications of operations and activities of Nottinghamshire ACF in the county.

In civilian life I am a qualified journalist and PR professional and have trained in public relations, media relations, journalism and news writing and have worked on newspapers, in advertising agencies and public relations agencies for over twenty five years.

Every year I have to create and am responsible for implementing the County PR Plan. I do this by researching, writing and distributing press releases to promote the interests of the Army Cadet Force. The PRO helps with the website by supplying stories and pictures to be uploaded onto the website.

I also deal with inquiries from the local media, providing PR guidance to the area commanders and detachment commanders.

But most of the cadets and instructors see me around weekend camps and annual camp armed with my camera, forever interrupting everyone to take photographs. These photographs are used to support the press releases and articles I write for the Army Cadet magazine and Khaki Times and for the website.

It is not just about writing stories and taking pictures. The PRO has to be able to explain what the ACF does, speak with the public and the media, draft correspondence, advising the Commandant and Deputy Commandant on media issues and other PR matters.

The PRO has a wide ranging job but I am lucky as I receive great support from the Commandant at the top to the newest cadet recruit, which makes my job easier.

Captain Simon Harbidge

County Public Relations Officer
Nottinghamshire Army Cadet Force