“The Best Place to Be a Veteran” (?): An Examination of the Current Veteran Experience Within the United Kingdom

Abstract

With the recent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) publication reviewing veterans' experiences across the member states, there is a need to examine the veteran perspective within the United Kingdom (UK). A unique relationship between the four individual nations that constitute the UK has contributed to a historically and culturally significant perception of the British Armed Forces. The emerging interest within the Veterans Studies field has led to more insights into the post-transition journey for veterans; however, there remains a gap within the literature examining the current veteran experience within the UK. This article addresses this gap by giving an overview of the cultural and historical context whilst also providing a current view of the UK veteran community. The definition of a veteran within the UK context is discussed, including the comparison between the UK definition and other NATO member states. The structure of the British Armed Forces is explored. The challenges that UK veterans can experience are given, whilst providing an overview of the current support systems in place. Public perception within the UK is discussed, with an examination of the role of the media. Future challenges are discussed, with further implications and areas for further research suggested.