Veterans Aid welcomes the publication of the Ashcroft Report today and its conclusion that members of the Armed Forces generally make a good transition to civilian life.
CEO Dr hugh Milroy said,"We are utterly fed up of seeing ex-Servicemen and women portrayed as inflexible, institutionalised individuals who are unable to cope with the demands of ordinary life.
"Adapting to change is something the military are particularly adept at and the myth that they 'return' to the 'real world', unable to function or integrate, has done them no favours.
"Certainly there are individuals who have benefited hugely from the structure of military life, especially younger people with no strong domestic support base or educational qualifications, but to make a causal between service and post discharge foundering is illogical."
Lord Ashcroft’s principal recommendations are as follows:
- The MOD and the Armed Forces should be more proactive in changing perceptions of Service Leavers. Lord Ashcroft’s research has found that most people think it is common for those leaving the Forces to have been physically, mentally or emotionally damaged by their Service career. This view is mistaken and has the effect of restricting Service Leavers’ prospects in civilian life.
- A new work placement scheme should be created in partnership with industry, to give Service Leavers practical experience of civilian work. This would replace the current system of resettlement training courses. The Career Transition Partnership should also be given a direct incentive for job finding, such as payment by results, which ensures sufficient attention is paid to the more junior and less qualified, of whom there will be larger numbers once the full resettlement package is made available to all Service Leavers. New structures in the MOD and an employers’ Council will greatly improve employment prospects.
- Early Service Leavers should get the same transition support as longer serving personnel, including a personal career consultant and advice on CV preparation provided by the Career Transition Partnership. Those leaving with less than four years service – who may have completed tours in places like Afghanistan – are the most likely to be unemployed and to have a range of other problems, but the full resettlement service is currently available only to those who have served six years or more (plus those being made redundant and the Wounded, Injured and Sick). All Service Leavers who have completed basic training should receive the full resettlement package.
- A new Veterans’ Card should be given to all Service Leavers with the number and web address of a singe 24/7 contact centre for Forces charities. This would replace the confusing array of information that currently exists, and ensure that those who need help can find it straight away without having to make several calls or being passed from one organisation to another. The Veterans’ Card could also be the basis of a discount or loyalty scheme in partnership with business.
- All personnel should complete an online Personal Development Plan, beginning at the end of basic training, detailing the individual’s education, skills and achievements, a plan to achieve long term career aspirations, and education on life skills including housing and financial management. This would promote take-up of the many educational opportunities available in the Forces and ultimately make for a smoother and more successful transition.
Veterans Aid receives more than 3,000 calls for help each year from veterans of all ages with periods of service ranging from a few days to many years.
Many have never been deployed operationally or served overseas and almost all who seek the charity's help attribute their problems to financial, domestic or personal problems.
When these lead to crisis - alcoholism, substance abuse, unemployment or homelessness - they find their way to Veterans Aid. "Thankfully while their problems are acute, their numbers as small" insists Dr Milroy. "Most veterans are robust, reliable individuals whose lives have been enhanced by the experience of military life."
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Lord Ashcroft
