Brigade Commander visits 7 SCOTS

Brigadier Lisa Brooks joined 8th Battalion the Light Infantry and commissioned in 1995. She completed an S-Type engagement with 1st Battalion Light Infantry as B Company Second-in-Command in 2001 which included operational deployments to Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone. 

Transferring to the Royal Artillery she commanded 269 (West Riding) Battery equipped with Rapier Field Standard C exercising in the Outer Hebrides, Cyprus, and Lithuania. Unit command from 2013 to 2016 was with the Yorkshire Officers’ Training Regiment (Leeds and Sheffield UOTCs) taking the newly formed Regiment from initial to full operating capability. Later postings include Executive Officer of the Advanced Command and Staff Course (Reserves) at the Defence Academy; and Deputy Commander Reserves with 4 Infantry Brigade and Headquarters North East, with primary focus on developing the capability and readiness of the Army Reserve. In 2022 she was appointed Assistant Head Reserves at the Ministry of Defence, and was appointed Commander 19 Light Brigade in 2024.

She is a graduate of the University of Reading, and the Higher Command and Staff Course 24; and holds a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. Lisa lives in Yorkshire with her three children where she is a Deputy Lieutenant for the East Riding of Yorkshire.

Brigadier Lisa visited 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS) in Dundee earlier this year to see Exercise Urban Argyll; an urban training exercise for Reservists from 19 Light Brigade taking place at the new specialised indoor urban training facility (part-funded by HRFCA) at Oliver Barracks. Our Head of Engagement took the opportunity to chat with her about the challenges of being a Reserve Brigade Commander.

What is your role as Brigade Commander?

“I am responsible for leadership and management of 3,000 personnel across 86 different locations. The Brigade Headquarters is in York, but there are also 10 combat units based across the UK from the Outer Hebrides to Cornwall. The team is a hybrid mix: Reservists, Regular personnel, Full Time Reserve Service, and civil servants and no two days are the same.”

What would you say is your biggest challenge?

“Time! There just isn’t enough of it. It is impossible to get around everywhere and visit everyone personally, much as I would like to. As well as the personnel in the UK, we have over 1,000 soldiers on overseas exercise, and getting out to see them is a logistical challenge in itself.”

19 Brigade is a relatively new Brigade. What is special about it?

“The Brigade entered suspended animation in 2013 following the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review, and was reformed in 2022 in York as part of Future Soldier reform. 19 Brigade is the only Reserve Brigade in the British Army. We are one of seven Brigades who make up 1st (UK) Division, the British Army’s Global Response Force. We can be called on to respond to a wide spectrum of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to warfighting. 1st (United Kingdom) Division is also the current Land Component Command of NATO’s Allied Reaction Force. Being part of 1 Division very much raises the profile of Reservists and the many skills that they have which can transfer from military to civilian employment and vice versa.”

Should civilian employers employ Reservists?

“Yes, absolutely. When I started work in the food industry back in the 90s, my employer had no formal policy for supporting employees who were also part of the Reserve Forces. We have come a long way, due in part to the Armed Forces Covenant and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Awards, which actively encourage employers to hire Reservists and have suitable policies in place to enable them to fulfil their duties.

“Employers who employ Reservists in their workforce benefit from having employees who are trained to be the best they can be in any situation. They will have undertaken many hours of specialised training – at no cost to the employer – in leadership, teamwork, first aid, logistics, transport, communications… the list goes on. They are highly skilled and used to working under pressure and delivering in very demanding circumstances. I think Reservists are an asset to any employer, to be honest.”

Finally, why should people consider joining the Reserves? What has it meant to you?

“When you join the Reserves, a whole wealth of opportunities opens up to you. You will challenge yourself to do things you never thought you could do, and push yourself to achieve success in all sorts of areas. You develop a sense of pride, service and duty; make new friends; and undertake a huge amount of personal development. And if that isn’t enough, there is worldwide travel and the chance to take part in activities such as skiing, diving, riding, music and every team sport you can think of! You also get paid to do it!

“For me, it has been an incredible experience. I joined as it seemed a good way to allow me to develop my civilian career and my Army one at the same time. I never imagined I would go on to become Brigade Commander, but it just shows what can be achieved. I have been fortunate to have worked with some incredibly gifted and committed people, I would not be here without them or the support of my friends and family. The Reserves have made me the person I am, and I thoroughly recommend the Reserves to anyone looking to develop themselves and their career. It is life-changing and life-affirming.”