Rob Marston is the Service Director of military charity Help for Heroes and served for 10 years as a British Army Officer.
This week, communities across the country will rightly come together to mark Armed Forces Day and recognise the selfless contributions of the men and women who serve our country.
It also comes at a moment of significant political change. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that he will step down, his successor will inherit one of the most challenging and dangerous international environments in a generation.
Russia’s war continues to rage in Ukraine. Tensions in the Middle East remain high despite recent diplomatic efforts. Across the world, governments are reassessing their defence capabilities and national resilience in response to growing instability.
The first duty of any government is the defence of the realm. It’s therefore unsurprising that debates over defence spending, military capability and Britain’s readiness to respond to current and future threats have dominated the political agenda.
Regardless of who succeeds Sir Kier Starmer, these debates will remain. They are vital conversations that urgently need to be addressed, but an important piece is missing.
For far too long, support for veterans has been treated as a separate issue from national defence. Often viewed as a matter for charities, local communities and public services to fill in the blanks once a person leaves the Armed Forces.
The reality, however, is that veterans are a fundamental part of our national security. As a former British Army officer who served for more than a decade, I know that the strength of our Armed Forces lies far beyond military hardware and equipment.
Our capability doesn’t begin and end with those currently serving. It includes hundreds of thousands of veterans whose skills, experience and leadership strengthen communities, our economy, and our resilience long after they have left the uniform.
It also includes those who may one day be called upon once again.
Therefore, if the Government expects people to serve, it must understand the role veterans play in keeping us safe, and demonstrate that service will not leave those who step up at a disadvantage when they return to civilian life.
In my role at Help for Heroes, I see every day what happens when service ends well, but also what happens when it does not.
Whilst it is true that most veterans go on to build successful and fulfilling lives after service, too many are still being let down by fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult-to-navigate systems.
Men and women who serve our country still face avoidable barriers to healthcare, financial security and support. Too many are forced to fight the system long after they have stopped serving their country.
The Armed Forces Covenant exists to ensure that those who serve should face no disadvantage because of that service. Yet for some veterans, that promise remains more aspiration than reality.
That’s why, this afternoon, I will be joining veterans and MPs from across the political divide in Parliament to unveil our urgent plan for the Government to turn that promise into reality.
The People’s Promise sets out four areas where urgent action is needed, and the steps the Government can take to fix it.
First, healthcare.
Too many veterans, particularly those who leave through injury or illness, face an abrupt transition from military healthcare into civilian systems. Some leave service without a clear diagnosis. Others face delays accessing treatment, rehabilitation or support. For people who have spent years serving their country, that simply is not good enough.
Second, financial security.
Veterans should not be disadvantaged because of injuries sustained in service. Yet some veterans still face a complex and inconsistent system that leaves them fighting for the compensation and support they have already earned.
Third, consistency.
Support should not depend on where somebody lives, their background, or their circumstances. A veteran in Newcastle should be able to expect the same support as a veteran in Newquay.
And finally, accountability.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise made by the nation to those who serve. But promises only matter if they are delivered. Responsibility for veterans spans across Whitehall, but too often, when there is no clear ownership, that’s when things go wrong.
None of these issues are new. Charities like ours, parliamentarians and veterans themselves have been raising them for years.
What has changed is the world around us. In an increasingly dangerous world, the Government must accept that veterans are part of that defence policy.
Put simply, we cannot ask more of our Armed Forces without doing more for those who have served.
If we want future generations to join the Armed Forces, they must be shown that they will be properly supported when their service ends.
If we want to retain the skills, experience, and leadership that veterans bring to our society, we must ensure they are not left to battle systems that should be helping them.
And, at a time when politicians debate how best to protect our country from current and emerging threats, this should be one area where consensus is possible.
We ask much of those who serve. Keeping our promise to them when they return home should not be up for debate.
You can find out more about HelpforHeroes and how you can help, here.
Rob Marston is the Service Director of military charity Help for Heroes and served for 10 years as a British Army Officer.
This week, communities across the country will rightly come together to mark Armed Forces Day and recognise the selfless contributions of the men and women who serve our country.
It also comes at a moment of significant political change. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that he will step down, his successor will inherit one of the most challenging and dangerous international environments in a generation.
Russia’s war continues to rage in Ukraine. Tensions in the Middle East remain high despite recent diplomatic efforts. Across the world, governments are reassessing their defence capabilities and national resilience in response to growing instability.
The first duty of any government is the defence of the realm. It’s therefore unsurprising that debates over defence spending, military capability and Britain’s readiness to respond to current and future threats have dominated the political agenda.
Regardless of who succeeds Sir Kier Starmer, these debates will remain. They are vital conversations that urgently need to be addressed, but an important piece is missing.
For far too long, support for veterans has been treated as a separate issue from national defence. Often viewed as a matter for charities, local communities and public services to fill in the blanks once a person leaves the Armed Forces.
The reality, however, is that veterans are a fundamental part of our national security. As a former British Army officer who served for more than a decade, I know that the strength of our Armed Forces lies far beyond military hardware and equipment.
Our capability doesn’t begin and end with those currently serving. It includes hundreds of thousands of veterans whose skills, experience and leadership strengthen communities, our economy, and our resilience long after they have left the uniform.
It also includes those who may one day be called upon once again.
Therefore, if the Government expects people to serve, it must understand the role veterans play in keeping us safe, and demonstrate that service will not leave those who step up at a disadvantage when they return to civilian life.
In my role at Help for Heroes, I see every day what happens when service ends well, but also what happens when it does not.
Whilst it is true that most veterans go on to build successful and fulfilling lives after service, too many are still being let down by fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult-to-navigate systems.
Men and women who serve our country still face avoidable barriers to healthcare, financial security and support. Too many are forced to fight the system long after they have stopped serving their country.
The Armed Forces Covenant exists to ensure that those who serve should face no disadvantage because of that service. Yet for some veterans, that promise remains more aspiration than reality.
That’s why, this afternoon, I will be joining veterans and MPs from across the political divide in Parliament to unveil our urgent plan for the Government to turn that promise into reality.
The People’s Promise sets out four areas where urgent action is needed, and the steps the Government can take to fix it.
First, healthcare.
Too many veterans, particularly those who leave through injury or illness, face an abrupt transition from military healthcare into civilian systems. Some leave service without a clear diagnosis. Others face delays accessing treatment, rehabilitation or support. For people who have spent years serving their country, that simply is not good enough.
Second, financial security.
Veterans should not be disadvantaged because of injuries sustained in service. Yet some veterans still face a complex and inconsistent system that leaves them fighting for the compensation and support they have already earned.
Third, consistency.
Support should not depend on where somebody lives, their background, or their circumstances. A veteran in Newcastle should be able to expect the same support as a veteran in Newquay.
And finally, accountability.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise made by the nation to those who serve. But promises only matter if they are delivered. Responsibility for veterans spans across Whitehall, but too often, when there is no clear ownership, that’s when things go wrong.
None of these issues are new. Charities like ours, parliamentarians and veterans themselves have been raising them for years.
What has changed is the world around us. In an increasingly dangerous world, the Government must accept that veterans are part of that defence policy.
Put simply, we cannot ask more of our Armed Forces without doing more for those who have served.
If we want future generations to join the Armed Forces, they must be shown that they will be properly supported when their service ends.
If we want to retain the skills, experience, and leadership that veterans bring to our society, we must ensure they are not left to battle systems that should be helping them.
And, at a time when politicians debate how best to protect our country from current and emerging threats, this should be one area where consensus is possible.
We ask much of those who serve. Keeping our promise to them when they return home should not be up for debate.
You can find out more about HelpforHeroes and how you can help, here.