On this page you will find information about:
- Being a member of an Armed Forces Community group as a woman who is or has served.
- MOD internal networks.
- The history of service women and teaching resources.
Women have played a significant role during times of conflict for hundreds of years and continue to do so in HM Armed Forces today. Whether you are currently serving, transitioning into Veteran life, or already living as an ex-service person, you are entitled to be part of the community and to access support programmes.
Being part of the Armed Forces Community
Elements of being in the currently serving or ex-service community can make individuals feel isolated or alone.
Having the opportunity to engage with others who have shared experiences can be a great way to make new friends and find support. Listed below are some women-focused, women-only and mixed social groups.
In addition to the groups listed below, there are many smaller women’s networks which you may be interested in joining. Many of these groups have an online presence through social media websites like Facebook.
Find out more about becoming a member of the Royal British Legion on the Knowledge Base website.
Read about joining Armed Forces LGBTQIA+ community networks here on the RBL website.
Networks for those who are currently serving and ex-service personnel
Royal British Legion Women’s Section
The Women’s Section is a network of women who are committed to supporting the Armed Forces community.
The community is made up of members and Branches across the country and overseas. Many of the women in the RBL Women’s Section are serving, have served in the past, or are family members of current or former service personnel.
The group hosts regular social events which include:
- breakfast clubs
- sports clubs, and
- group fundraising activities.
Additionally, the Women’s Section also help to financially support many projects to help the Armed Forces community including:
- the Invictus Games
- grants to support education and employment, and
- fundraising for the annual Poppy Appeal.
Women’s Section Membership
Becoming a member of the Women’s Section allows you to participate in social, fundraising and welfare activities through their network of branches and clubs across the country and overseas.
Find your local Women’s Section Branch.
Read more about becoming a member of the RBL Women’s Section on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
We Are Invictus – for those who have been wounded, injured or sick during or as a direct consequence of service.
The We Are Invictus platform is a social network for members of the Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) community to support each other during and post-recovery.
Additionally, the online network allows those WIS to access support, share their recovery journey, share and access opportunities offered by the Invictus Games Foundation.
Support from The Ripple Pond - for the currently serving and ex-service community
The Ripple Pond is a charity that supports adult family members of people who are physically or psychologically affected by their time in the Armed Forces. They believe in chosen family, and will support anyone over the age of 18 including partners, siblings, parents, friends and carers. The Ripple Pond supports people through:
- specialist one to one sessions
- peer support groups, including 14 different regional chats
- talks and events
- employment support, and
- signposting.
The Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) Association membership
Membership with the WRAC Association is open to any woman who has served or is currently serving in the British Army.
The WRAC Association has over 3000 members and over 50 branches across the UK and overseas.
As a member of the WRAC Association, you could:
- make new connections and comrades
- find old friends, and
- become part of a community which provides support and fellowship.
Learn more about membership with the WRAC Association and how to join.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) Networks – For those who are currently serving, full time and Reserves
Army Servicewomen’s Network
The Army Servicewomen’s Network is a support group for those who are currently serving which provides a forum to share ideas, issues and promote causes.
Get in touch
Join the Army Servicewomen’s Network via:
Naval Servicewomen’s Network
The Naval Servicewomen’s Network is here to ensure that Naval Servicewomen’s voices are heard. Personnel from all arms of the service, every branch and trade, at every rank are welcome to join.
Get in touch
Join the Naval Servicewomen’s Network via:
RAF Servicewomen’s Network
The RAF Servicewomen’s Network is listed on the GOV.UK MOD Diversity Networks and can be contacted internally by currently serving personnel.
Additional RAF Networks
RAF Ethnic Minorities Network
RAF Disability and Carers Network
RAF Diversity Allies
RAF Gender Network
RAF LGBTQ+ Network
Defence Faith and Belief Networks
MOD Gender Network
The MOD Gender Network is here to work for and support all serving personnel.
Get in touch
Join the MOD Gender Network via:
MOD Menopause Network
The MOD Menopause Network is listed on the GOV.UK MOD Diversity Networks and can be contacted internally by currently serving personnel.
Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) Gender Network
The MDP Gender Network is listed on the GOV.UK MOD Diversity Networks and can be contacted internally by currently serving personnel.
Read more about MOD Diversity Networks on GOV.UK.
Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Gender Forum
The DIO Gender Forum is listed on the GOV.UK MOD Diversity Networks and can be contacted internally by currently serving personnel.
Defence Breastfeeding Network
This tri-service group aims to support a range of people from the Armed Forces community including:
- servicewomen who are breastfeeding,
- pregnant servicewomen who are aiming to breastfeed, and
- the partners of servicewomen who are breastfeeding or aiming to breastfeed.
Get in touch
Join the Defence Breastfeeding Network via:
MOD Defence Women’s Network
The Defence Women’s Network is an inclusive and supportive mixed group. Their goals are to remove barriers and celebrate women’s success.
Get in touch
Join the MOD Defence Women’s Network using their online form or find out more via:
Resources for ex-service personnel
Veterans ID card
As someone who has served in HM Armed Forces you are eligible to receive a Veterans ID Card. The card can help you to quickly verify your service to a range of authorities including the NHS and service charities.
Find out more about the Veterans ID card and how to apply for yours here on the RBL website.
The Veterans’ Lapel Badge
All who have served in HM Armed Forces, including Volunteer and Regular Reserves, are eligible to apply for the Veterans’ Lapel Badge.
The badge is an official piece which is issued by the MOD Medal Office. The purpose of the badge is to help raise the profile of ex-service personnel by helping the wider public to recognise them.
Learn more about the Veterans’ Lapel Badge here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
The history of service women and teaching resources
According to the UK Armed Forces Biannual Diversity Statistics 2023, 11.5% of the UK Regular Forces, and 15.9% of Future Reserves are Female.
Additionally, 13.6% of veterans in the UK Veteran population in England and Wales were women according to the 2021 Census.
More information
Find more information and guidance here on the RBL Knowledge Base.
The voices of women who have served
Many women have played a vital role within our Armed Forces Community and have many important stories to tell.
Find out more about:
The history of Women serving in HM Armed Forces
The resources listed below will help you find out more about the history of women and the Armed Forces.
- Find out about women in the Armed Forces from the Royal British Legion.
- Read more about the history of women serving in the British Army, from the National Army Museum.
- Learn about women serving in the Royal Air Force on the RAF Museum website.
- Find out about the women of the Royal Navy on the National Museum of the Royal Navy website.
Women in the Armed Forces - Royal British Legion teaching resources
We have created resources to support education about women serving in HM Armed Forces. The teaching resources are available in English and Welsh.
- Women at war
- How did women help?
- How did women help? (Welsh)
- Womens service across the Commonwealth
- External Website Link.
- Womens service across the Commonwealth (Welsh)
- Women in the military
- Women in the military (Welsh)
- Women in war
- Women in war (Welsh)
- Women in medicine
- Women in medicine (Welsh)
- Women at work
- Women at work (Welsh)
