Information from NHS Choices.
Private Neil McCallion was evacuated to the UK after suffering serious injuries in Afghanistan. He talks about the attack and rebuilding his life.
In early 2008, as a young officer, I was set to deploy to Afghanistan. It was the culmination of a year and a half of intense training and I was primed to go.
Alcohol has historically been used in the UK armed forces to encourage bonding and to deal with difficult experiences. And while alcohol use is now on the decline, harmful drinking in the forces is still double that of the general population.
Ever since 2009, the UK has celebrated Armed Forces Day on the last Saturday in June. The event, itself an extension of the three year old Veterans Day celebration, was implemented to raise awareness and appreciation for those who serve in Britain’s armed forces.
Members of the armed forces – especially in the United States, but also in Britain – are often referred to as heroes. But a BBC documentary in 2015 uncovered that many veterans feel uncomfortable with being described as heroes.
The government recently announced that it would be relaxing the rules for Commonwealth citizens wishing to join the UK’s armed forces with the aim of increasing the number of Commonwealth recruits to around 1,350 a year.
The Royal British Legion today praised as ‘an historic breakthrough’ Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to write the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant into law.
The British Army has launched the third and final instalment of its three year ‘Belonging’ campaign, designed to raise awareness and get young people to consider joining the army for the first time.