Why Supporting Our Service Leavers Matters More Than Ever

17 / Feb / 2026

Craig Elvin recently had the honour of attending the Forces Transition Group Ltd Awards ceremony, an evening filled with pride, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. Following the event, Craig dicusses how sharing the room with fellow service leavers, hearing their perspectives, and taking part in the Q&A reminded him exactly why being an […]

Craig Elvin

Craig Elvin recently had the honour of attending the Forces Transition Group Ltd Awards ceremony, an evening filled with pride, humility, and a deep sense of purpose. Following the event, Craig dicusses how sharing the room with fellow service leavers, hearing their perspectives, and taking part in the Q&A reminded him exactly why being an FTG Ambassador is such a privilege.

“It isn’t a role. It’s a responsibility.

Being asked to support the veteran community in this way is something I’m genuinely proud of. As a former serviceman myself, I know firsthand how powerful it is when someone believes in you at a point where you’re not entirely sure who you are anymore.”

Executive Partnerships | Armed Forces Covenant

A Truth We Don’t Talk About Enough: Identity Loss

One message stood out above everything else: Many service leavers and veterans have lost their identity.

After serving for 10, 15, even 20+ years, the military becomes more than a job; it becomes your purpose, your tribe, your structure, and in many ways, your definition of self. When that ends, even voluntarily, there’s a void. And that void can often surface during job interviews.

It can look like:

Arrogance
Nervousness
Overconfidence
Underconfidence
Guardedness
A lack of corporate polish

But scratch beneath the surface, and what you often find is not a difficult candidate, but service leavers who are trying to rebuild who they are outside of the uniform.

A Message to Employers and Interviewers

If you’re interviewing veterans or service leavers, remember this: You might be the first civilian professional they’ve ever had to “sell themselves” to.

That alone is daunting.

But here’s what else you’re likely sitting in front of:

A natural leader
A phenomenal team player
Someone who shows up
Someone who doesn’t quit
Someone who puts others first
Someone who can handle pressure with a calmness that many people never develop
Someone who will be one of the best colleagues you’ve ever hired, if you give them the space to show it

Veterans and service leavers aren’t looking for sympathy. They’re looking for understanding. And an opportunity to prove their value.

The Takeaway

The Awards ceremony reinforced what I see every day: the transition from military to civilian life is filled with complexity, uncertainty, and emotional weight.

As employers, leaders, interviewers, and colleagues: We owe it to these men and women to look beyond the surface. To see the person, not just the presentation. And to recognise the talent that often sits behind a slightly rough first impression.

Because when you do, you don’t just get an employee. You get loyalty, resilience, integrity, and commitment in abundance.

I’m proud to be an FTG Ambassador. Proud to support the veteran community. And proud to champion the message that no service leaver should feel lost during their transition.

If you’re hiring, take a deeper look. You might just find the best person you’ll bring into your organisation this year.

See all Vlogs

Why Supporting Our Service Leavers Matters More Than Ever

A Truth We Don’t Talk About Enough: Identity Loss

A Message to Employers and Interviewers

The Takeaway

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