Veterans in Defence Network at Army’s Civilian Workforce

The new network will connect veterans with Service Leavers and other veterans to demonstrate how the civilian side of Defence and the wider Civil Service is a rewarding career opportunity and inspire them by bringing them together to provide support and celebrate their contributions to the Civil Service.

The government has called veterans “a priceless national asset, and we will do everything we can to help them to succeed”.

David Oppong, the network’s founder in collaboration with John Ridge, DefenceVeterans and Reserves Champion, inspired the creation of a staff network for Veterans. By late 2021 a small committee of volunteers was formed to provide Veteran’s in Defence (ViD) with access to like-minded people across government, enabling mentoring, coaching and peer support while offering members opportunities to share experiences, reminisce and build a sense of camaraderie.

The VID network was successfully launched in 2022 at an event in Main Building. The launch brought together Civil Servants who are veterans, reservists and allies from across Defence and the wider Civil Service. This was a significant milestone which also marked the journey of creating a combined Veterans and Reserves in Defence network and ultimately a Civil Service Armed Forces Network. In 2023, the committee is keen to build on the success of the launch to establish regional leads to enable a more inclusive and representative events. Following the positive response to the Expression of Interest Survey, work is progressing to establish nation-wide sub-committees. 

Career Transition Partnership

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the Ministry of Defence working with Right Management. CTP are proud to be the official provider of resettlement and have supported leavers of the Armed Forces for over 20 years, as they transition from the military into civilian life. There are huge benefits from registering and accessing the wealth of support they offer, from career transition guidance, skills workshops,
vocational training and routes to employment.

Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans

In 2018 the Government published the first ever Strategy for our Veterans and followed this up in 2020 with the Veterans Strategy Action Plan which set out the first steps the Government is taking to achieve its ambition of making the United Kingdom the best place to be a veteran anywhere in the world. Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans is just one part of achieving this ambition.

We asked Army Veterans why they wanted to join MOD and what tips they would give to other service leavers who are considering doing the same.

Why did you join the MOD:

“I re-joined the MOD after a period in Civi street, as the right opportunity came about at the right time. What made the package more attractive was working back in an environment I was familiar with, job security, the chance of a second career, and lets face it the pension isn’t
half bad.”

What two top tips would you give another service leaver joining the MOD:

1. Don’t sell yourself short, we (Veterans) bring so much to the party but we tend to play it down or don’t even acknowledge our past experience.
2. Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and don’t be afraid to challenge (respectfully) when needed, because your opinion matters.
3. Don’t try to boil the ocean in one go it wont work, change is great in the MOD but it takes time and can be frustrating.
4. Wednesday afternoons isn’t for playing sport.

Daniel, Project Manager

Why did you join the MOD:

“After a full career in the Army, this seemed the best way to utilise my skillset and remain working in Defence which I enjoy. There is also the opportunity of promotion which had been closed to me in the Army; it is great being in an organisation which doesn’t discriminate on
age.”

What two top tips would you give another service leaver joining the MOD:

1. Keep trying if you don’t succeed initially.
2. Understand the requirements and do your homework on the CS criteria. For example, leadership means something very different when applying for a CS post. Ideally find someone who has already made the jump who can advise you.

Julian, Army Programmes