Policy issues

The majority of ex-Service personnel make a successful transition into civilian life. The skills acquired and social bonds developed in the military often lead to positive relationships and an improved social and economic position after leaving the Armed Forces7. There are a minority however who struggle, and some can experience periods of loneliness or isolation after leaving. There are also certain aspects of Service life that can make it challenging for personnel and their families to build and maintain relationships during and after service.

Poor relationships, or lack of a social network, have negative consequences. Ex-Service personnel who are divorced or separated have been found to be significantly more likely to report mental illness, relationship difficulties, social isolation, and physical health problems than those who are not8. Relationship breakdown can also result in practical difficulties and is reported to be the most common cause of homelessness9. Poor relationships with, or a lack of trust in, support services and professionals, can also impact levels of help-seeking. Ensuring that ex-Service personnel and their families establish and maintain positive personal and professional relationships is crucial to supporting better outcomes and reducing the financial cost of poor transition for society.

Policy position

We believe that no ex-Service person should be disadvantaged as a result of their service, and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most, such as those who have been injured or bereaved. Our vision is for all ex-Service personnel and their families to enjoy positive inter-personal relationships in family, professional and social environments. Our goal is for all ex-Service personnel and their families to be able to access timely and effective support for their personal and professional relationships when needed.

In 2018 the Ministry of Defence published The Strategy for Our Veterans report10 which set out its key outcomes for veterans. One of these was for “all veterans to be able to build healthy relationships and integrate into their communities” by 2028. We welcome this goal and will continue to work with the Office for Veterans’ Affairs and others to achieve it. Reaching this goal will not be easy, however. It will require work to limit any disruption to families caused by the Armed Forces lifestyle, it will require more support for the serving and ex-Service community, and it will require better collaboration and integration of the services that support them.

 

Click here to download FiMT’s full Policy Statement on Relationships.