Early service leavers: History, vulnerability and future research

Providing help for personnel, whose time in the military is cut short due to disciplinary, administrative or early separation reasons, is an area that has generated considerable debate. Recent changes in the UK military's approach to the provision of transition support for its personnel have helped to stimulate this debate. This chapter explores the current debate around the care and support that is afforded to 'early service leavers (ESL) and draws upon telephone interview research in which the views of national opinion formers were sought. As Lord Ashcroft explained in his review of veterans' transition, improving outcomes for ESLs is essential to improving transition overall and creates additional incentives for recruitment to the military. In addition to academic researchers, the chapter is therefore be of practical relevance to a range of organisations including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the National Health Service (NHS) and government departments.