A young soldier's challenges after leaving the Forces

This is the story of a young soldier leaving the Forces.
We know transitioning into civilian life can be tough. From finding a new job to managing your finances, we can help. Give us a call, visit your local Pop In centre, or visit the Royal British Legion website to find out how: www.rbl.org.uk/transition

[@supernikon24]

Whoever dislikes this doesn't know.

[@BrumKid]

Donest know what ?????

[@bigmartin]

I’ve never served in the British army, although I’m currently serving in the Irish army. I donate and wear my poppy every year because my grandfather served with the BA in WWI and when I was a child and the family in dire straits the British Legion were very good to us. Good video, I’ve retirement in age grounds in three years and dreading it.. Well done British Legion

[@thomasreading2653]

So very sad i am glad that i am a supporter off the royal british legion and give every month. To this great cause.

[@jollyswashbuckler]

Once a soldier always a soldier!

[@karenhenderson1462]

Having extensive experience working within veteran mental health I can confirm this is very real, however, not many do pick up the phone and ask for help as culturally it is seen as a weakness. More services need to be made available in all areas to help these guys transition back into civilian life, whilst still remaining in contact with their identities. Please donate where you can.

[@sandysanderson8588]

Its really hard going back into civvy street, lots going on and lots of time on your hands. Just take every day as it comes and hold your head up high, You have served.

[@RangerDEU]

One day I will be out but I am afraid of it. I’ve never worked in the civil life. After school I directly enlisted to the army. I don’t even know how the civil work life will be and that thoughts are scaring me

[@puckarooo]

Hey I'm the exact same. Never worked a civvie job, the army is all i know. I say i am in it for a full career but i guess we can never know for sure what the future holds and if i was to "return" to civvie street, I'll be lost as hell. You aren't alone in this and once you're in the family, even when you leave we still have your back forever

[@sebjones1566]

Still serving, I believe it's important to communicate and interact with people outside the Armed Forces in a social aspect. Playing for sports club or hobby club, gaining connections for later life when you get out, especially for future employment outside the Armed Forces.

[@hounslowparks2469]

Nail on head. It took me years to adjust

[@johnkeatley917]

Bang on mate. I’ve been out 4 years and I’m just getting used to it.

[@Jarvo02]

i just got out 2 weeks ago and its already hard kinda worried for the years to come

[@BrumKid]

How long did you serve was it just the normal 3 years ???????

[@holly-annboyle1520]

Having daily struggles of my dad having PTSD after leaving the family was so traumatic that I now suffer with PTSD. Seeing the struggles it was for him to find a job that he could keep was tough, he felt worthless and could not accept how much his life had changed. My grandparents still tell me to this day that after the gulf, my dad came back a different person, more anger, no love, like he was made of stone. From being an army brat myself, I've always said I am proud of my dad being in the army. However I am not proud that once you leave, there's hardly any help at all. They don't have to put up with the violence, they don't have to wake up in the middle of the night and hear a man screaming in his dreams. Its not the army responsibility to walk into a room and find your find self harming. This is not a joke, This is real life. I am thankful for the Royle British Legion for being there for ex soldiers who are struggling. I a, thankful that other families can get the help they need.

[@BrotherYusuf]

But they really are not they are there to line their pockets I know people who work for all the big three charities they all tel Mia truths and have many veterans I have spoke to very ill or frustrated and damage their pride yet bless them old guys who collect money for them and actually have decency and pride and don’t even ask for their fuel costs which they can etc , yet the big wigs just enjoy them profits etc Many veterans get zero help from these organization after living in many places I seen first hand the harm and lack of help they do as well as belittling people be it for their accent or faith or age etc very rude elitest people trust me I know and seen it happen about fifty times at least to veterans

[@Morgoth1889]

Why would he leave if he was gonna miss it and why didn’t he just re-enlist

[@andrewmcmahon4028]

im looking at getting out the army, this is the only job i've known and i am not sure how ill adjust in civvi street

[@thebeast9869]

Calling people civvi is definitely not a great start

[@connordavies1664]

@justin blacker-quin I'm recently out myself, technically only 20 days but I had a lot of terminal leave due to a deployment early last year so I've kinda been out for months and still firmly in the resettling phase. You're right, it is tough and I never thought I would be the guy that struggled as I was always extremely competent at anything I put my hand to. But my emotions have been heightened compared to my 12 years of service. Mood swings, throwing myself into work, pushing away the people who I liked and cared about me away. I realised this morning that I do need help and that I need to work on my head when I ended a relationship with a girl who was an absolute Saint because I don't know when the next pay cheque is coming and I don't know whether I'll be successful or even how to measure success. I'm sure that I'll be OK, but honestly it's not easy when it's literally all I know, you feel stripped of your identity and your culture, and people react differently to what you know.

[@johnkeatley917]

Look out for veterans centres. There should be one in your area. My wife introduced to the armed forces Veterans centre. It has been a great help in understanding my own problems and gets you in touch with people similar to yourself. I left after 26 years 4 years ago. I didn’t realise I was struggling but I was. It’s been a great help.

[@jollyswashbuckler]

Just stay in the army until you get a pension.

[@BrumKid]

What a load of BS I spent 16 years in the RAF and found the first few months hard when i left but because i was trained to adjust to any situation i adjusted and now at 68 iam still working and can fuction on my own yes at first it was hard. Sorry but i dont see many from my time in hardship only the veterans of today which shows the past gets more then the future veterians.

[@alexanderdoherty8438]

Cheers dits bet it was so hard staying in 5 star hotels during your time in the raf!!

[@GRD211]

@@alexanderdoherty8438 careful mate, he's trained to adjust to any situation.

[@curt6926]

Yh sound one pal great story that, just looking around for when anyone asked. REMF

[@jonny5938]

Bum kidd😂😂😂wtf are u on ego testicle juice probably REMF