A PORTSKEWETT woman turned some heads in her office yesterday morning when she wore her Royal Air Force uniform to work.

Michelle Jacka is a clerical officer working in Bristol and a Reservist with the RAF: "My colleagues in my team were pleased to see me in my uniform after hearing so much about it and my escapades during training!"

Michelle joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force in May 2015 and has recently completed her basic training at RAF Halton. “I enjoyed all of it” she says “but the best part was getting to grips with the rifle. Going from being from a complete novice to learning the drills, shooting on the range in just a few days was my biggest achievement.”

The 31-year-old joined the RAF as a personnel support worker. "In that job I deal with the day-to-day administration of personnel movements, leave, pay and allowances, preparing personnel for deployment and supporting them throughout and can also involve recruitment and training."

"I decided to become an RAF reserve as I have always had an interest in the forces and have had a desire to serve and ‘do my bit’ for quite a while” she says.

She initially applied for regular service however later decided that a career within the reserves would be a great way to get the best of both worlds. “It meant I would be able to serve within the RAF and have the opportunities that come with being a serving member, as well as living a normal civilian lifestyle" she adds.

Michelle is a member of Cardiff-based Number 614 (County of Glamorgan) Squadron, the only Welsh RAF Reservist unit. They offer a variety of roles including personnel support - like Michelle, driver, technician, photographer, RAF police and intelligence analyst.

They have squadron members from a variety of civilian backgrounds who commit to doing at least 27 days of service per year which can consist of weekends, evenings and a fortnight’s training.