Defence Academy gives MPs and peers insight into military life

16 October 2023
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A group of AFPS members sat in a row listening to a talk.

Three members of the AFPS wearing military combat uniform, walking through the Defence College for Military Capability Integration.

Major General Andrew Roe has thanked personnel at the Defence Academy for the successful delivery of this year’s Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme (AFPS) visit.


The annual visit gives peers and Members of Parliament (MPs) the opportunity to gain insight into life in the armed forces, allowing them to develop deeper understandings of current defence and military issues.

A group of AFPS members sat in a row listening to a talk.


Major General Roe said:

“…feedback from the parliamentarians who attended has once again confirmed that the peers and MPs have left us with a raft of positive memories from their time at the Defence Academy.
“For the majority of the attendees this two day ‘introduction’ held at Shrivenham is their first real exposure to the MOD and the armed forces, and these parliamentarians are now much better informed to contribute during defence and security debates in the House of Lords and the House of Commons.”


The programme included talks from senior leaders and subject matter experts, a tour of the Defence College for Military Capability Integration, an introduction to defence cyber and the opportunity to get hands-on experience of wargaming and small arms on the live firing range.

A woman in military combats shooting an automatic rifle.


Based at Shrivenham, the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom provides higher education for personnel in the British armed forces, Civil Service, other government departments and international service personnel.