The first Uniform to Work Day took place in July 2008 as part of the Territorial Army's centenary year but today, Friday 26 June 2009, is the first time the event has included Reserves from all three Services – the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. The day is part of a series of events supporting Armed Forces Day.

Reservist and organiser of last year's TA Uniform to Work Day, Colonel Alastair Bruce, said: "From beauticians to bus drivers, artists to auctioneers, supermarket shelf-stackers to scientists, people from all walks of life and occupations have put time aside to train and serve in Iraq and Afghanistan alongside their regular counterparts. Showing the public who these people are will help highlight the remarkable work these men and women undertake as volunteers.

"Service with the Reserve Forces is good for individuals, employers and communities. Reservists gain leadership skills and specialist expertise which serve them well in their civilian as well as military lives." One of the many Reservists wearing their uniform to work today is Sergeant James Shemmeld, who by day is a bus driver at Alton Towers theme park. At night-time though, Sgt Shemmeld pulls on his Combat 95s in his role as detachment commander and instructor at Staffordshire Army Cadet Force in Cheadle.

Although he resisted the urge to join the Regular Army many years ago, Sgt Shemmeld has retained a life-long passion for military life and is dedicated to his job instructing the 32-strong detachment which parades weekly at the cadet centre in Cheadle.

Sgt Shemmeld said:
"When I first asked my employers if could come in to work and drive my bus dressed in my Army Cadet uniform I think they were a bit shocked!

"But then they saw the potential of it to recognise the work of the Reserve and Regular Forces and add their support to Armed Forces Day, and they were all for it.

"The problem is that I think these days so many people don't realise anything about our Armed Forces. All people tend to see in the media is somebody in the desert with a gun shooting someone - and what they need to realise is there are lots of real people who do lots of valuable jobs behind what they see on the media.

"Armed Forces Day is a chance for us to honour the valuable work that our Armed Forces, past, present and future, do for all of us."

Elsewhere, Sergeant Phil Moses runs a pub in Daventry in Northamptonshire. When he is not working in his civilian job, Sgt Moses is a chef with 606 Squadron and has 22 years of experience within the Royal Air Force.

He said:
"I have had amazing support from my colleagues and the people coming into the pub today here in Daventry. Wear Your Uniform to Work Day is a great idea and with Armed Forces Day tomorrow we are raising money for Help for Heroes and awareness of the Reserves and Forces."

In London, Lieutenant Commander Phil Rosindale of the Royal Navy Reserves is wearing his uniform to his day job within the MOD's Navy PR team. He said:
"I feel very proud and privileged to have served as a Royal Navy Reserve. I have been a reservist for many years and am extremely grateful for the opportunities and training the Royal Navy have given me. The skills and experiences I have gained as a reservist have been directly applicable to my civilian life and I have got to do many things not open to an ordinary civilian."