600 (city oF loNdoN) sQN

600 Squadron Officer Cadet receives Sword of Honour

On the 23rd of September 21, Fg Off Jonathan Rymel was invited to attend the Royal Graduation at RAF Cranwell to be presented with the RAF Reserves Sword of Honour, The MacRobert Sword.

The MacRobert Sword is awarded to the Officer Cadet considered by the RAF College Commandant to be, overall, the best of the Reserves Officers Initial Training Courses.

Usually, the MacRobert Sword is awarded each year but due to COVID, this was a combined award for 2019 and 2020.

The sword is donated by the MacRobert T rust and is presented at a ‘Royal Graduation’. Fg Off Rymel said:

“I was honoured to receive my sword from Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the Princess Royal. The RAF Reserve has given me many opportunities that both complement and enhance my contribution to my civilian career as an IT professional.”

Who is Fg Off Jonathan Rymel

I have a background in Software Development and IT project delivery, working in both the public and private sectors. I was an RNLI crewman for 12 years on the River Thames, but I always wanted to join the Reserves. So in 2015, I set up a company and took the opportunity to join the RAF as an ICT Communications Technician. Since joining, I have mobilised four times. I have been to RAF Waddington, Brize Norton and MOD Main Building. The RAF has helped me much more than I would have as a civilian. For example, while at MOD Main Building, I supported OP RESCRIPT (The MOD support during the pandemic). It was great to see how the work I was doing as part of the RAF helped the military protect the country and our citizens; Repatriating British nationals stuck overseas, setting up testing centres or supporting the effort to build nightingale hospitals. I have also run a few marathons supporting military charity's.

In late 2019 I was chosen as the first direct entrant reservist to commission into the Engineering Branch of the RAF. I did my training at RAF Cranwell in 2020, and I loved it. It is not an understatement to say "it was a dream come true" to Graduate and receive the MacRoberts Sword of Honour.

Since graduating, I have taken over as the Officer Commanding the ICT flight at No 600 (City of London) Squadron. I am working with the RAF to support the creation and delivery of Digital skills to the RAF.