Understanding the Transition from Military to Civilian Life

What is the issue?

People who serve in the United Kingdom's (UK) Armed Forces and their families are, at some point in their lives, expected to undergo a transition from military to civilian life. Many Service leavers and their families have positive experiences of this process; however, transition can also be complex and challenging given the unique circumstances of military Service. Whilst it is evident that significant progress has been made over the last decade to support Service leavers and their families to transition into civilian life, research shows that challenges remain.

The Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) therefore identified a need to better understand the contemporary transition process, to determine its reach and impact, and to identify what else could be done to fully support ex-Service personnel and their families in achieving a successful transition. To address this requirement, QinetiQ and RAND Europe are conducting a study on the contemporary transition process, how it is communicated, and how it is experienced by Service personnel and their families.

How are we helping?

This study is the third in a series of Transition Mapping Studies commissioned by FiMT to understand the process and experiences of military-to-civilian transition among UK Service personnel and their families. The current study aims to understand:

• The current UK external environment and its impact on transition.
• How the transition process currently works across each of the three Service branches (the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy).
• How the transition process is communicated to Service leavers and their families.
• How the transition process is viewed by stakeholders, recent Service leavers and their families.
• What progress has been made over the last ten years with respect to the transition support available.
• What challenges remain and the potential impact or cost of not addressing them.
• The value to the Armed Forces Community and society of improving the transition process, enabling a successful and sustainable transition for all ex-Service personnel and their families.
• Where support could be improved, or resources invested and how this might be achieved.

In the context of the study, RAND Europe is focusing on qualitative and quantitative research to understand the evolving external environment for transition, the cost of unsuccessful transition to society and the individual, and the benefits of facilitating successful transition for UK Service leavers and their families.

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