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The Ministry of Defence offers a good range of resettlement support for those leaving the Armed Forces, and most people adapt back into civilian life easily and comfortably. There are a minority of people who have a more difficult time finding employment, housing or making the social transition.

A National Audit Office survey of those who have left the Services in the last two years revealed that three quarters found the return to civilian life was as expected or easier; and two thirds said the support offered by the Armed Forces helped them to find work. 94 per cent of leavers who were seeking employment through the Career Transition Partnership programme found employment within six months.

In 2006-07, some 25,000 personnel left the Armed Forces and all leavers have access to some assistance to help them when returning to civilian life. The level of resettlement support is determined by the length of military service and is not dependent on the rank of the leaver. Personnel discharged for medical reasons are entitled to the highest level of support regardless of how long they have served.

The majority of leavers get coaching in CV writing and job interview techniques; a contribution of £534 towards the cost of training plus associated travel and accommodation costs; up to 35 working days to prepare for their return to civilian life; briefings on housing and personal finance issues; and access to a career consultant.

Most Service leavers find suitable accommodation on leaving the Forces, and the MoD offers a reasonable amount of support to help people when doing so. However, a small number of leavers have difficulties in finding suitable accommodation.

The MoD has improved the provision of resettlement support for Early Service Leavers because this group includes individuals more vulnerable to unemployment and homelessness. However, inconsistencies in the quality of support offered at unit level undermines the overall provisions made.

The Army has to contend with particular challenges in supporting those leaving, compared to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The Army draws a large number of recruits from educationally and socially disadvantaged backgrounds who, in many cases, also join with weak basic skills. Access to resettlement provision to meet the challenges of the transition to civilian life has been affected by the recent high level of operations which has increased the demand on soldiers’ time as they come to the end of their service.

An NAO survey showed that around one in ten leavers who were eligible for the full resettlement package did not attend any Career Transition Partnership course. A small proportion said they were not aware of the services which were available to them. For those leaving the Army, the proportion of those who were unaware of what support was available to them was higher, especially from the junior ranks. The MoD must continue to improve awareness of the support that is available.

Sir John Bourn, head of the National Audit Office, said today:

“The practical realities for people leaving the Armed Forces can be very demanding. The process of finding a new home and a new job at the same time is something most of us would find quite stressful. So it is encouraging that most make that transition smoothly, and without too many troubles.

“And undoubtedly, part of that is due to the good support the Ministry of Defence provides to those leaving the Forces. It is important that all those leaving the Services know what support is due to them, and have the opportunity to take advantage of it.”

Notes for Editors

1. An Early Service Leaver is an individual leaving with less than four years service or someone who leaves because of compulsory discharge.
2. Press notices and reports are available from the date of publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk . Hard copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702 3474.
3. The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some 850 staff. He and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other bodies have used their resources.