On this page you will find information about:
- Transitioning out of the Armed Forces.
- Support from the MOD during your resettlement period.
- Support for Service Leavers and their family members.
Leaving the Armed Forces can be a very challenging time for anyone in the community. If you feel that you or someone you know may need support, there are programmes and guidance available.
There is no time limit or goal for how long it will take you to transition and resettle into civilian life. Leaving service is one of the biggest changes that people in the community will have to face.
Currently serving, ex-service personnel, their families, and dependants can access a variety of support through the services listed below. You are still eligible for many of the support programmes listed below even if you did not leave service recently.
Read guidance for those who are leaving the Armed Forces on GOV.UK.
The Service Leavers Guide
Created by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), this guide contains information for those who are preparing to leave and have already left regular service.
Topics of discussion within the guide include:
- Service Leavers' timeline
- the discharge process
- health and wellbeing
- those who are subject to immigration control
- resettlement
- job finding
- training courses
- pensions
- Armed Forces Pension Scheme
- veterans and compensation
- where to find help
- registering with an NHS GP or NHS Dentist
- charities which can help you
- support groups, and
- mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists.
Read the Ministry of Defence's Service Leavers' Guide on the GOV.UK website.
What is Resettlement?
Resettlement is the period of your life directly before and after you leave the Armed Forces. The goal of Resettlement support is to prepare you to find a job in your chosen vocation and help you to settle into civilian employment.
Your Resettlement period is listed officially by the MOD as the two years before and after you leave service.
Resettlement Time
A someone who is leaving service you may be eligible for Resettlement Time which are flexible periods that can be set aside for service leavers to attend activities which support them to settle into civilian society.
You may additionally be eligible for financial support to travel to or enrol in training courses.
Find out more about the support you are entitled to during your Resettlement in JSP 534 on GOV.UK.
What does it mean to Transition out of the Armed Forces?
Transitioning is the emotional, physical, and practical adjustment that members of the Armed Forces Community will go through when leaving service and living in civilian society.
Transition support aims to help those who have served and their families to live positive and fulfilling lives.
Read about Mental Health guidance and support services on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
I have received a Medical Discharge, what support am I entitled to?
As someone who has received a Medical Discharge you are entitled to a variety of support from the MOD and service charities, regardless of your length of service.
The support and services that you may be able to access include:
- Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT)
- Individual Resettlement Training Costs Grant (IRTC)
- Travel Warrants
- Core Resettlement Programme (CRP) from the Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
- Recovery Activities
- Personnel Recovery Centres
- Veterans Welfare Service, and
- Recovery Services from the Royal British Legion (RBL).
What support am I eligible for from the MOD when leaving service?
Most service personnel can begin their transition and resettlement up to two years before their discharge. However, under certain circumstances, for example you are due to be deployed, you may be able to begin the process earlier.
If you receive a short notice discharge, for example a medical discharge, there is often not time to complete all resettlement activities before you leave service.
You will be eligible for some MOD post discharge support up to two years after you have left the Armed Forces. Many service charities continue to offer support to Service Leavers long after their discharge date.
If you would like to find out more about the resettlement process and what you are entitled to you can read JSP 534: Tri-service resettlement manual.
Read JSP 534: Tri-service resettlement manual on GOV.UK.
Personnel who are made redundant qualify for support from the Resettlement Package. This support will be partly delivered by the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) on behalf of the MOD. This support also applies to Reservists who have received a Medical Discharge.
What are HARDFACTS?
Before leaving service you should receive a HARDFACTS assessment with your chain of command.
HARDFACTS is the acronym used to consider the areas in which wounded injured and sick (WIS) personnel may need support when leaving service. The acronym stands for Health, Accommodation, Relocation, Drugs, Alcohol and Stress, Finance and Benefits, Attitude, Thinking, Behaviour and Welfare, Children and Family, Training, Education and Employment, and Supporting Agencies.
The questions that are asked have been selected to help you and your line manager to assess your plan to leave service.
Wellbeing support
Transitioning from the Armed Forces is a big physical and mental change for service personnel and their families and it is okay to ask for support. Through the guidance below you can find support through this life change and beyond.
Visit the RBL Knowledge Base website and learn more about:
- Mental wellbeing support and guidance.
- Community networks for women who are or have served in HM Armed Forces.
- Community network for LGBTQIA+ service personnel and ex-service personnel.
- Support for the partners of those who are or have served.
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
- Signposting
Complete their online application form to become a member and receive support from The Ripple Pond.
Learn more about The Ripple Pond on their website.
Bereavement support
We are all likely to experience the loss of a friend or loved one and it is important to remember that you are not alone. The guidance below can help to support you and your family though this time.
Visit the RBL Knowledge Base website to read more about:
Drop-in sessions for the Armed Forces community
There are many drop-in sessions run for people in the community focusing on many aspects of health and wellbeing in the community. These drop-in sessions can also provide spaces for those with shared experiences to come together, find support and build community networks.
Read more about health, wellbeing and community drop-in sessions on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
How can the Royal British Legion help me?
We have a range of support available for people in the Armed Forces Community who are leaving service.
The Royal British Legion is here to support you and your family to make your transition and resettlement as smooth as possible.
To find out more about the support the RBL could offer you, contact us via
Telephone: 0808 802 8080
Telephone overseas: +44 (0)20 3376 8080
Calls are free
from UK landlines and main mobile networks
Email: [email protected]
Practical help and guidance
Registering with an NHS GP Practice
After you are discharged, your healthcare will no longer be provided by the British Armed Forces. The NHS will take over your healthcare and has dedicated services designed to support ex-service personnel and veterans.
We have created guidance to support your transition into civilian healthcare which includes how to sign up with a NHS GP or Dentist, and how much treatment will cost.
Read our guide on how to register with a civilian GP or dentist.
Veterans ID Cards
Owning a Veterans ID Card can help those who have served to quickly and easily verify their service when trying to access support services, including accessing the NHS.
Read more about Veterans ID Cards and how to apply for one here on our website.
Accessing your data from the MOD
As someone who is or has served in HM Armed Forces you can put in a request to access data about yourself which is held by the MOD.
Please note that it can take up to nine months your application to be processed. If your application is urgent, you should explain why in your application so that it can be prioritised.
Learn more about what data is held by the MOD and how to put in a request on the GOV.UK website.
Pensions & compensation claims
When leaving the Armed Forces, knowing about your pension and how to access it when you are ready is useful. Additionally, if you are leaving the Armed Forces close to retirement age you may be able to access your pension immediately or be entitled to a lump sum.
Read guidance on pensions for those who are transitioning on GOV.UK.
Find out more about Armed Forces Pensions on GOV.UK.
A War Pension is a no-fault compensation scheme for those who are living with a condition which was sustained or made worse as a result of service which occurred on or after 6 April 2005. This is similar to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Support programmes
The programmes listed below are here to support those who have served, their families and dependants.
If you left service less than two years ago, or you are about to leave the Armed Forces - Defence Transition Service
The Defence Transition Service (DTS) works directly with service leavers and their families who may be facing challenges during their transition into civilian life. The service provides information and facilitates access to support that may be needed. They work with other government departments, local authorities, the NHS, and trusted charities.
Learn more about the Defence Transition Service on GOV.UK.
Eligibility
The DTS provides support for currently serving personnel, ex-service personnel, family members and dependants of those who left service less than two years ago.
What support can the Defence Transition Service provide?
The Defence Transition Service works with service leavers and family members on a one-to-one basis. The service can facilitate access to support with:
- mental health
- physical health
- drugs and alcohol misuse
- training, education, and employment
- housing, accommodation, and relocation (including MOD Referral Scheme and civilian housing briefs)
- finance, debt and benefits
- children, family, and relationships, and
- additional organisations that provide relevant support.
How to get support
Service leavers and family members can self-refer to the DTS whilst in-service, through self-referral or through third-party referrals.
If you are unsure whether you should make a referral, please speak to your Chain of Command within the unit or email [email protected].
Learn more about in-service referrals and how to begin the process on GOV.UK.
Service leavers who are recognised as someone who may need extra support can be referred internally to the DTS. Individuals can also be referred to the service by Defence contractors, for example, the Career Transition Partnership.
Find out more about the Career Transition Partnership on their website.
If you left service more than two years ago - Veterans Welfare Service
The Veterans Welfare Service (VWS) provides professional advice and help to ex-service personnel, veterans, anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependents.
The programme is run by the Ministry of Defence's Veterans UK with one-to-one support delivered with the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, local authorities, voluntary organisations, service charities and Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees.
The VWS provides a free welfare service across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
Find out more on the Veterans Welfare Service on GOV.UK.
Eligibility
The Veterans Welfare Service provides advice and support for those who left service over two years ago, their families and dependents. This includes the bereaved families of service personnel. The scheme is delivered across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
Additionally, anyone who is eligible for or in receipt of compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and Service personnel who are to be medically discharged or have an enduring welfare requirement on discharge.
What support can the Veterans Welfare Service provide?
The VWS makes it easier for you to access the help and services you need by providing advice and support through telephone contact or, if needed, during a home visit.
They can provide help with:
- the transition back into civilian life
- bereavement
- changes in disablement
- changes affecting income or finances, and
- changes affecting housing.
How to get support
The form below can be used for self-referral, or to refer a currently serving, ex-service person, or veteran to the Veterans Welfare Scheme.
The form can be used by:
- a service leaver seeking support for themselves,
- a family member of a service person seeking support for them-selves, or
- a family member of a service leaver seeking support for the service person in their family.
Begin your application on GOV.UK
Completed forms can be returned digitally via email or physically by post.
Email the completed form to: [email protected]
Post completed forms to: Veterans UK, Room 6303, Norcross, Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire, FY5 3WP
Get in touch
Veterans UK helpline
- Telephone (UK only): 0808 191 4218
- Telephone overseas: +44(0) 1253 866 043
- Email: [email protected]
Normal Service 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. When the helpline is closed, callers in need of immediate emotional support will be given the option to be routed to The Samaritans 24 hour helpline.
Get in touch
Veterans UK helpline
Telephone (UK only): 0808 191 4218
Telephone overseas: +44(0) 1253 866 043
Email: [email protected]
Normal Service 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. When the helpline is closed, callers in need of immediate emotional support will be given the option to be routed to The Samaritans 24 hour helpline.
Veterans Welfare Centres
There are four Veterans Welfare Centres across the United Kingdom. They provide advice and support to those in the community.
You can phone or email the welfare centre nearest to you, or the Veterans UK Helpline, for advice and support.
Veterans UK helpline
For more information on the VWS or to find your local Welfare Centre, visit the VWS website, or
Centurion (London, SE and SW England)
Telephone: 02392 702 232
Email: [email protected]
Kidderminster (South and Central Wales, Midlands and East of England)
Telephone: 01562 825 527
Email: [email protected]
Norcross VWC (NW England, Yorkshire and Humber, North Wales and Isle of Man)
Email: [email protected]
Glasgow (Scotland, North East England, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland)
Email: [email protected]
Veterans UK Helpline
If you are unsure which services above are most suitable to your situation you can contact the Veterans UK helpline which will direct you to the appropriate service.
The Defence Transition Service and Veterans Welfare Service provide support for service leavers, ex-service personnel, veterans, their families, and dependants. This includes bereaved families of service personnel.
Get in touch
The helplines below will direct you to the appropriate service and support available to you.
Telephone UK only: 08081 914 218
Telephone overseas: +44(0) 1253 866 043
Email: [email protected]
Normal service is 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday. If you call the helpline out of hours, you will be given the option to be redirected to the Samaritans 24-hour call line.
If you are currently serving you can make an in-service referral.
Learn more about in-service referrals and how to begin the process.
If you are unsure whether you should make a referral, please speak to your Chain of Command within your unit.
Email: [email protected]
Recovery Activities and Support
Recovery is a very important part of Resettlement and Transition for many Service Leavers.
You may be able to enrol on Recovery Activities whilst serving and in your Resettlement Period. These recovery activities include:
- Clinical Work Placements
- Recovery Placements
- Vocational placements
- Civilian Work Attachments
- Career Transition Partnership training and courses.
Find out more about Recovery Activities in JSP 534, part 2, section 7 on GOV.UK.
Read more about Personnel Recovery Centres run by the MOD on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
The Battle Back Centre and Royal British Legion (RBL) Recovery Services
The Royal British Legions Recovery Services are designed to support currently serving and ex-service personnel to overcome challenges encountered as a result of physical and mental injuries and/or illnesses.
Recovery services are aimed at addressing a range of related 'wellbeing needs', including the links between physical and mental health; developing ways of managing stress; healthy living including improving diet and sleep; the importance of social networks.
Learn more about RBL Recovery Services and the Battle Back Centre on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Op RESTORE: The Veterans physical health and wellbeing service
Op RESTORE supports anyone who is living with a physical injury or illness that was caused by their time serving in the Armed Forces.
The service could help you access welfare and non-clinical support, ensuring you have access to the care you need within the NHS, and put together a care plan specifically for your needs.
Op COURAGE: The NHS veterans mental health and wellbeing service.
Op COURAGE helps currently serving, ex-service personnel and those who are transitioning into civilian life to access the support and treatment that they need to support their mental health.
The service can help you obtain a diagnosis and provide specialist support for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Op FORTITUDE: Support pathway for ex-service personnel experiencing homelessness
Op FORTITUDE helps to connect members of the Armed Forces Community who are experiencing homelessness to a support network.
This network includes housing providers, charities, and local authorities which will help individuals address their risk of homelessness by either helping them stay in their current accommodation or find new housing options.
Op ASCEND – employment support for veterans and their families
Op Ascend is an Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) programme which is delivered by the Forces Employment Charity.
The programme provides veterans and their families with opportunities to gain meaningful employment. This includes support with CV writing, interview preparation, employment fairs and advice on setting up a business.
Op NOVA: Support for ex-service personnel who are in contact with the justice system
Op NOVA supports ex-service personnel who are in contact with the justice system to access the support they need. The scheme works across all needs to deliver practical and emotional support including mental health needs and registering with NHS GPs.
Op PROSPER: Employment support for ex-service personnel and family members
Op PROSPER is an employment support programme for ex-service personnel and family members in the UK. The programme is run by the Forces Employment Charity on behalf of the Office for Veterans Affairs.
Through the Employment Pathways scheme and Career Development Fund you could access a variety of employment help and advice.
Get in touch
Visit the Forces Employment Charity website to find out more about Op PROSPER, or
Telephone: 01212 623 058
Register for Op PROSPER on the Forces Employment Chairty website
Support with housing for service leavers
As a Service Leaver you may be unfamiliar with how civilian housing, the renting and private sector work. The section below contains a variety of guidance and links to programmes which can help you find somewhere to live.
Read the Ministry of Defence's general housing guidance on GOV.UK.
Housing advice if you are currently serving:
Civilian Housing Briefs
The Defence Transition Service (DTS) delivers an annual programme of civilian housing briefings to help inform and guide Service personnel and their families about the choices available to them. Briefings are open to all Service personnel and their families, at any stage of their Service career.
These briefs are designed to give you the information to help you make informed choices on your civilian housing, the briefings cover the following areas:
- house purchase (including Forces Help to Buy), private rental,
- independent financial advice (provided by the Service Insurance and Investment Advisory Panel members), social housing, and
- affordable home ownership schemes.
Learn more about Civilian Housing Briefs on the GOV.UK website.
Housing advice for currently serving, service leavers, ex-service personnel, veterans and armed forces families in:
England
Listed below are housing options and support available for those who served in HM Armed Forces and live in England or are intending to live in England.
Homelessness
You do not have to be literally roofless to be considered homeless by a council. Being 'legally homeless' can be experienced in a variety of ways including living in unsafe housing or sofa surfing.
If you are worried that you may become homeless after you are discharged, we have guidance available to support you through this time.
Find out about applying as homeless before you are discharged on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has guidance available for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in England.
Social/council housing
If you are looking for somewhere to live social/council housing may be worth considering as an option.
Find out about social/council housing and how to apply on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Privately renting
You may be considering renting privately but not know where to begin the process. Citizens Advice England has a variety of guidance about renting privately including:
- deciding to rent from a property owner or letting agent
- searching for a property
- questions you should ask a property owner or letting agent
- renting a shared house
- checks the property owner or letting agent will make
- using a guarantor
- what you will need to pay when renting, and
- any hidden costs.
The guidance also includes information to help you during and at the end of your tenancy.
Read the Citizens Advice England guidance on renting privately.
If you are already renting a property but are struggling to keep up with the rent, the MOD has guidance available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Read the MOD guidance for those who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage on GOV.UK.
Buying a home and mortgages
If you are thinking of buying a home, Citizens Advice have created an in-depth guide on the process and mortgages to help you.
Learn more about buying a home on the Citizens Advice England website.
If you already own a home but are struggling to pay the mortgage the MOD has a list of support available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Northern Ireland
Listed below are housing options and support available for those who served in HM Armed Forces and live in Northern Ireland or are intending to live in Northern Ireland.
In Northern Ireland the Housing Executive manages social/council housing, which is sometimes referred to as 'executive housing'.
Find out what housing support is available to you on the Housing Executive website.
Homelessness
You do not have to be literally roofless to be considered homeless by a council. Being 'legally homeless' can be experienced in a variety of ways including living in unsafe housing or sofa surfing.
If you are worried that you may become homeless after you are discharged, we have guidance available to support you through this time.
Find out about applying as homeless before you are discharged on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Social/Executive housing
If you are looking for somewhere to live social/executive housing may be worth considering as an option.
Find out about social/executive housing and how to apply on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Learn about accessing social/executive housing in Northern Ireland on the nidirect website.
Get in touch
Visit the housing executive website to find out more, or
Telephone: 03448 920 900
Email: [email protected]
Lines are open from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Privately renting
You may be considering renting privately but not know where to begin the process. Nidirect has a variety of guidance about renting privately including:
- deciding to rent privately
- finding a home to rent
- letting agent's fees
- finding student accommodation
- the property owners responsibilities
- living in a house in multiple occupation, and
- what your responsibilities are as a tenant.
The guide also includes information to help you during and at the end of your tenancy.
Read the nidirect guidance on renting privately on their website.
If you are already renting a property but are struggling to keep up with the rent, the MOD has created a list of the support available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Buying a home and mortgages
If you are thinking of buying a home, nidirect have created an in-depth guide on the process and mortgages to help you.
The guidance includes:
- a home buying checklist,
- how to decide on your budget
- getting your finances in place
- finding a suitable property and making an offer
- hiring a solicitor
- applying for a mortgage
- exchanging contracts, and
- paying for the property.
Learn more about buying a home on the nidirect website.
If you already own a home but are struggling to pay the mortgage the MOD has created a list of support available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Read the MOD guidance for those who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage on GOV.UK.
Scotland
Listed below are housing options and support available for those who served in HM Armed Forces and live in Scotland or are intending to live in Scotland.
Visit the PoppyScotland website to find out what support is available to you.
Homelessness
You do not have to be literally roofless to be considered homeless by a council. Being 'legally homeless' can be experienced in a variety of ways including living in unsafe housing or sofa surfing.
If you are worried that you may become homeless after you are discharged we have guidance available to support you through this time.
Find out about applying as homeless before you are discharged on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has guidance available for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Social/council housing
If you are looking for somewhere to live social/council housing may be worth considering as an option.
Find out about social/council housing and how to apply on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Privately renting
You may be considering renting privately but not know where to begin the process. Citizens Advice Scotland has a variety of guidance about renting privately including:
- types of public tenancies
- types of private tenancies
- letting agents
- using a guarantor
- problems with illegal fees and deposits
- tenancy agreements
- getting help with private renting costs, and
- student housing.
The guidance also includes information to help you during and at the end of your tenancy
Read the Citizens Advice Scotland guidance on renting privately on their website.
If you are already renting a property but are struggling to keep up with the rent, the MOD has guidance available for ex-service personnel and veterans.
Buying a home and mortgages
If you are thinking of buying a home, Citizens Advice Scotland have in-depth guidance on the process and mortgages to help you.
Learn more about buying a home on the Citizens Advice England website.
If you already own a home but are struggling to pay the mortgage the MOD has guidance available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Read the MOD guidance for those who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage on GOV.UK.
Wales
Homelessness
You do not have to be literally roofless to be considered homeless by a council. Being 'legally homeless' can be experienced in a variety of ways including living in unsafe housing or sofa surfing.
If you are worried that you may become homeless after you are discharged, we have guidance available to support you through this time.
Find out about applying as homeless before you are discharged on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has guidance available for veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Social/Executive housing
If you are looking for somewhere to live social/council housing may be worth considering as an option.
Find out about social/council housing and how to apply on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
Privately renting
You may be considering renting privately but not know where to begin the process. Citizens Advice Wales has a variety of guidance about renting privately including:
- finding a home to rent
- checks the property owner or letting agent will make
- how much it costs to rent, and
- getting help with renting costs.
The guide also includes information to help you during and at the end of your tenancy.
Read the Citizens Advice Wales guidance on renting privately on their website.
If you are already renting a property but are struggling to keep up with the rent, the MOD has created a list of support available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Buying a home and mortgages
If you are thinking of buying a home, Citizens Advice Wales have created an in-depth guide on the process and mortgages.
Learn more about buying a home on the Citizens Advice Wales website.
If you already own a home but are struggling to pay the mortgage the MOD has information available to ex-service personnel and veterans.
Read the MOD guidance for those who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage on GOV.UK.
Finding civilian employment
When leaving service finding a new career can be one of the biggest challenges for service personnel and their families.
How can my military skills transfer to help me find civilian employment?
When leaving the Armed Forces, you may feel like the specialised skillset you have been taught does not apply to civilian job postings. However, as someone who has served, you will have many skills which you use every day without realising how valuable they are.
All those who have served will have skills that employers will be looking for. For example, telling your employer that you were always at work five minutes early is better than just telling them you have good time management. This will also help civilian employers, who may have a very limited understanding of what day-to-day looks like in the Armed Forces, understand your experiences. When applying for jobs it is important to demonstrate how you have used your skills in previous work environments.
The following examples were provided by those who have served, transitioned and found civilian employment.
| Skill keyword | Example given by veterans |
|---|---|
| Active listening | “The 'Orders' process and extracting what is relevant at your level and is prevalent throughout all ranks. If you worked in any leadership, Service Police, or Welfare roles, you should have this down to a T!” |
| Communication | “We are able to communicate in a multitude of ways and adapt who we're speaking to; it's very different speaking to your Commanding Officer vs the Public vs your mates!” |
| Computer skills | “Role dependant, but many people in the Forces, especially as they progress through the ranks, have to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. If you're not great with computers and are still serving, you could use your Standard Learning Credits (SLC - up to £175 a year with 80% personal contribution) to do the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) or other IT courses.” |
| Customer service | “At some point you may have had to provide services to other members of the Armed Forces and at some point you may have had to use Conflict Resolution too; complaints about food or pay, working as a Movements Operator and checking people in to flights, supplying people with kit from stores, helping people resolve IT issues.” |
| Resilience | “Even Basic Training isn't for everyone and you have to have a degree of Resilience to get through the drill, combat PT, weapon handling, room inspections and CBRN drills whilst tired, hungry, getting shouted at etc.” |
| Team work/collaborative working | “You'll have done this as second nature throughout your whole career; whether it be your immediate team you're working with, representative sport, course mates or as part of a secondary duty or charity event. You'll likely be adept at motivating others and noticing each other's strengths and weaknesses so you can work more efficiently. Bad at bulling shoes but great with an iron and have a mate who's the opposite? Do their shoes and get them to press your kit!” |
| Providing feedback/ reflective practice | “Mid Period Appraisal Reviews (MPAR) and Service Personnel Joint Appraisal Report (SJAR) spring to mind. You should have been identifying objectives with your line manager throughout the year and giving / receiving feedback. We also like to review how exercises, operations and projects have gone by reflecting on what went well and what went wrong so it can be applied for future efforts.” |
| Leadership | “It's instilled into us from Day 1 to strive for promotion. Often you take on additional responsibilities to showcase your potential for the next rank up. Even those who don't make NCO status, may have had to lead at some point, be it on Exercise as a Section 2ic, or even being on Guard Duty.” |
| Time management & Task Prioritisation | “If you're not 5 minutes early, you're already late! Being able to concurrently handle tasks whilst getting fastballs thrown at us and then needing to prioritise the tasks is second nature to many people in the armed forces. We thrive in chaos and generally remain calm in a crisis; that's what we're trained to do.” |
| Training & Mentoring | “Chances are if you made it to NCO, at some point you would have delivered some kind of training in your workplace, or at the very least you would have probably mentored the newbies straight out of training, or joining your unit from somewhere else.” |
The Career Transition Partnership (CTP)
The CTP provides resettlement support to all Services leavers, regardless of their length of service or reason for leaving.
Career Transition Programmes
As a service leaver you will be entitled to support from one of the following CTP programmes.
| Length of service/reason for leaving | CTP programme |
|---|---|
| Medical Discharge | CTP Assist Programme for Personnel on Recovery Duties |
| Less than four years | CTP Future Horizons for Early Service Leavers (ESL) |
| Between four and six years | Employment Support Programme (ESP) |
| Six years or more | Core Resettlement Programme (CRP) |
- Find out more about the Careers Transition Partnership on the RBL Knowledge Base website.
- Visit the CTP website to find out more about the support you could be entitled to.
- Learn more about the support you are entitled to from the CTP in JSP 534 on GOV.UK.
Career Transition Workshops and Webinars
The workshops and webinars ran by the CTP are designed to help service leavers identify their transferable skills, develop their civilian CV, prepare to apply for jobs and learn key tips for attending interviews.
Read more about the workshops and webinars ran by the CTP for service leavers on the CTP website.
CTP Events
The CTP runs Employment Fairs, Online Chat Events and Company Presentations across the UK and online to support the careers of service leavers.
These events can be used as opportunities to find out about potential career options, the qualifications you will need, and network with potential employers.
Find out more about upcoming CTP events on the CTP website.
Service Leavers Adjustment Passport - for those who are living with a disability or health condition
What is a Service Leavers Adjustment Passport (SLAP)?
A Service Leavers Adjustment Passport can support those who are living with a disability or health condition when finding and maintaining employment, an apprenticeship or work experience.
A SLAP outlines your individual needs for accessing your workplace or work, whether that is physical adaptations to a work environment or considerations to work practices to support people living with mental health conditions, or someone who is neurodivergent.
The document belongs to you and cannot be shared with others without your permission.
How can a Service Leavers Adjustment Passport support me to find and maintain employment?
Your SLAP can be used to support your transition into a civilian workplace by identifying what extra support and changes (known as reasonable adjustments) you may need to support your mental and physical health at work.
A SLAP can be used as a tool to confidently engage in conversations with your new employer about adjustments and in-work support that you may need.
Additionally, your SLAP could be used to apply for extra support from Access to Work. The Access to Work programme works with people who are living with disabilities or health conditions and their employers to figure out what changes need to be made to the workplace to support the employee. The programme will provide financial support to pay for these changes.
Your SLAP could help you to receive extra funding for specialist equipment, support for travelling to and from your workplace and support when you are at work, such as job coaching.
Learn more about the Access to Work programme on GOV.UK.
Who is eligible to use a Service Leavers Adjustment Passport?
Regardless of why they left the Armed Forces, any service leaver who is transitioning into civilian employment and needs adjustments to access their workplace can use a SLAP.
This includes those who are:
- medically discharged for reasons which include the need for aids in employment
- medically discharged for unrelated reasons but will still require aids in employment, and
- leaving service for other reasons but may need aids in future employment.
Find out more about the Service Leavers Adjustment Passport on GOV.UK.
Employment support from the Forces Employment Charity
The Forces Employment Charity supports service leavers, reservists, veterans, and their family members who are trying to find a job. The charity offers life-long, life changing support, jobs, and training opportunities, irrespective of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
Some of the many services they offer include:
- advice on career choices, training, and apprenticeships
- recommendations on courses and training
- support for writing a CV
- events and employment fairs
- information on local job opportunities
- careers guidance, and
- transition support.
Get in touch
Visit the Forces Employment Charity website, or
Telephone: 01212 623 058
Email: [email protected]
Employment support from the Royal British Legion
We have created a range of guides to support your employment journey.
Visit the RBL Knowledge Base website to learn more about:
- Finding a job as a veteran or service leaver.
- Employment support for those who are living with a disability or medical condition.
- Returning to work after a gap in your employment.
- Employment Grants for veterans and family members.
- Employment support for families of serving and ex-Service personnel.
- Education and training support for the Armed Forces Community.
- Self Employment.
- Start-up-loans for ex-service personnel and their families.
