A new report from the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR) commissioned by Forces in Mind Trust has explored the experiences of servicewomen of the UK Armed Forces during and post their service to better establish ways of improving their transition from service to civilian life.  Previous research into the transition from the military into civilian life has more frequently focused on the experiences of ex-servicemen than ex-servicewomen, leaving a gap in understanding that this report begins to bridge.

The researchers used multiple methods including interviewing providers and ex-servicewomen, reviewing available support for ex-servicewomen and a quantitative analysis of available databases.

Whilst the research showed that ex-servicewomen share much of their experiences with ex-servicemen, the data suggested ex-servicewomen faced unique additional challenges. Ex-servicewomen had shorter average terms of service than servicemen and were more likely to cite family, pregnancy and health concerns as the reason they left the Armed Forces.

The report identifies 18 factors that improved ex-servicewomen’s chance of a successful and sustainable transition to civilian life, as well as six negative characteristics that impaired successful transition when they were present. Positive characteristics included early and individualised support and in-service healthcare that was suitable for women, meanwhile negative characteristics included unfit equipment and healthcare that did not meet women’s needs.

Drawing on these characteristics, the report puts forward recommendations across eight areas including addressing unique health needs and family needs. The report also recognised and suggested steps to improve the cultural environment in-service for women and ensuring women feel welcome when receiving support post-service.

For the full findings, see the full report here

Dr Marie-Louise Sharp, the report’s first author from KCMHR said, “It became apparent during our conversations with ex-servicewomen that conceptualising transition as part of a lifecycle was a helpful way to look more holistically at transition and avoid seeing it as one moment in time. Acknowledging that experiences in-service, both positive and negative, could impact transition and ex-servicewomen’s latter civilian life, meant that transition support needed to be focused across individual’s service and civilian life and not only at the time of leaving the military.”

Dr Sharon Stevelink, a Reader in Epidemiology and the report’s senior author from KCMHR said, “Being a member of the Armed Forces can be a significant part of a person’s identity, but we found that servicewomen often experienced their identities contested or unwelcome both during and after service. It’s possible that the negative characteristics that we’ve identified originate from a non-inclusive culture that begins during service that is carried over into post-service life.”

Michelle Alston, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust said, “Whilst progress has been made to improve transition for ex-Servicewomen, this research highlights that barriers still remain which can undermine the positive aspects of service and have a negative impact on transition outcomes. Government should utilise these findings to continue to work towards creating inclusive working cultures, structures, and practices. This report  provides a strategic roadmap to all those who support the Armed Forces community to help them evaluate whether their policies and practices are updated to support women’s needs.”