Mission Employable: Insights into the Employment Barriers faced by the Armed Forces Community. Episode 1 – Military Veterans.

Transitioning from military to civilian life is a significant shift that veterans often face with resilience but also with unique challenges. 

I recently sat down with Luke Hollands, Veteran and AMS Military Employee Resource Group Lead, to shed light on the barriers to employment and navigating the civilian job market.

The challenges of transitioning to civilian employment

Luke’s transition from the military to civilian employment was initiated by an unexpected medical discharge, forcing him to plan a new career path in the short space of a few months. As he explains, the shift can be daunting, especially with the need to translate military skills to civilian roles. This is a common experience among veterans, with recent data from gov.uk showing that less than half of veterans feel unprepared for civilian employment following their discharge.

One of the primary hurdles for veterans is presenting military-acquired skills in ways that civilian employers understand. Military roles often involve skills like leadership, quick decision-making, and complex problem-solving with the ability to adapt to new and evolving situations quickly and effectively. 

Luke shared that military personnel are accustomed to acronyms and jargon that do not always translate easily to civilian CVs which adds to potential negative perceptions from employers that veterans do not have the relevant skills and experience for civilian roles.

Luke suggests rephrasing military roles into more widely understood job functions—for example, framing “commanding a unit” as “leadership and team management.” This effort to align with civilian language is critical for veterans seeking non-military roles and can help with life after service.

While there is support available for veterans when leaving the forces, some groups face greater challenges making them more likely to experience unsuccessful employment in the longer-term. This includes women, ethnic minorities, those who are wounded, injured and sick, and older Service leavers as reported by Forces in Mind Trust. 

Luke advocates for more customised, one-on-one support that considers each veteran’s unique experiences and aspirations.

The impact on families and housing

The impact of military life—and the subsequent transition to civilian life—extends to veterans’ families. Luke explained that the frequent relocations that come with military life can make stable employment for spouses and continuous education for children difficult. 

A report written by The Centre for Social Justice sets out recommendations that would make a huge positive difference including supporting spousal employment and training, securing children’s education, providing more resources to assist military personnel suffering from mental health issues, and improving the mechanisms that prevent servicemen and women from falling into personal debt. 

There are also organisations dedicated to supporting military families like AMS Diversity & Inclusion Alliance founding partner, Recruit for Spouses, an award-winning accredited B Corp business with a social purpose, enabling the spouses, partners, and veterans of the military community to thrive in the workplace. In this podcast, CEO and founder of Recruit for Spouses, Heledd Kendrick, brings to life the importance of finding a community of like-minded people for military spouses.

Advice to fellow Veterans: Plan early and leverage support networks

Looking back, Luke recommends that military personnel start planning for their eventual civilian careers early even if they intend to serve for 20 or more years. Leveraging educational credits and accumulating relevant civilian qualifications while still in the service can ease the transition. Veterans are also encouraged to join support networks, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, where experienced veterans offer guidance and connections.

The transition to civilian life presents distinct challenges for veterans from translating military experience into civilian terms to securing stable housing and family support. 

By fostering strategies like skills-based hiring and initiatives like the PSR Guaranteed Interview Scheme, which aims to remove the barriers to employment for veterans and military spouses, organisations can help veterans like Luke continue to succeed in new career paths. 

As the veteran workforce grows, so too does the need for inclusive and veteran-friendly employment practices across all sectors.

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AMS is proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and holds Gold Status under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This year, AMS were the first talent solutions business to resign the Armed Forces Covenant after 10 years.