Essex Army Cadets

Read all about the Senior Leadership Team in Essex

Colonel Pete Mills joined Essex ACF in 1987 as a cadet, and after a full and enjoyable 6 years decided to remain as an adult instructor. Throughout his ACF career he progressed through the ranks and appointments with C Company, before transferring to County HQ in Nov 2015 as County Training Officer. During his time with C Company, he held appointments as Detachment Commander (Rayleigh and Billericay), Company Sergeant Major, Company Training Officer and Company Commander. The highlight of his time with C Company was the opportunity to take the Company to Gibraltar for their Easter Camp in 2014.

In Dec 2014 he was appointed as the 7 Inf Bde Duke of Edinburgh Advisor, this followed a number of years as the County DofE Officer. The DofE provides an ideal opportunity to deliver fantastic opportunities and over the past 10 years he has organised Gold Duke of Edinburgh sailing expeditions to Scotland and Croatia, plus organised and led volunteering projects to Ghana on two occasions. In 2017 he was approached to take the project lead for The Lord Dannatt's Round Britain Challenge centenary event which took place 2018, another opportunity to deliver a unique Gold Residential project. Col Pete takes up the appointment of Commandant Essex ACF in September 2021, following two and a half years as Deputy Commandant (Training).

Following his graduation from Anglia University in 1995 with a BSc (Hons) degree in Business Information Systems he has pursued a career in IT. Establishing himself as a Microsoft Technical specialist he has been involved with infrastructure projects for Kwik Fit Insurance, Pet Plan USA and Insure Simply (Australia). In Apr 2009 he formed Vezo Networks Ltd, an IT Solutions and Support company, with a good friend. Pete is married to Miranda and lives in Billericay, where he shares the family home with their two beautiful children.

There will be more about our newly appointed CEO soon.......

Shawn Reynolds is the RSMI for Essex Army Cadet Force and lives on Mersea Island, 10 miles south of Colchester. During the late 70’s and early 80’s he was a cadet at Grays detachment (then badged Royal Corps of Transport) before enlisting in the regular army in 1983. Having served in Northern Ireland, Germany, Denmark and the UK, he left the Army in 1989 to join the City of London Police where he served for 27 years before retiring as a Police Inspector in August 2015. Shawn joined the ACF in 2010, and was posted to B (EY) Company at Harlow Old Town where he held the positions of Detachment Instructor, Detachment Commander and Company Sergeant Major. He has also acted as the company Staff Officer prior to promotion to RSMI in August 2017. In his spare time, he plays golf (badly) and enjoys cycling, clay shooting, walking his dog and maintaining his 26 year old Vespa Scooter.

Sitting in the chain of command, directly below the Commandant, are the two deputies.

A new member of our Senior leadership team will be appointed soon........

Congratulations to out newly Appointed Deputy Commandant for HR!

More information to follow.