OUTCOMES study: The value of UK military Service: exploring perspectives from the ex-forces

It is often stated that the majority of personnel transition well post-Service, but there is limited evidence and understanding of those experiences and how Serving in the military may have added value to and benefitted post-Service life. The purpose of this study is to build evidence about the impact of military Service that focuses on the 'normative' experience rather than on the challenges and difficulties. 

This project has two aims: 1. Conduct a review of international literature to understand what current evidence tells us about the benefits and value of military Service on post-Service life. 2. Conduct a qualitative focus group study to understand how UK ex-forces personnel perceive the value of their military Service on their post-service life. 

• A narrative review of international literature using a systematic approach.
• Qualitative focus groups conducted online. 
  • 6 - 8 focus groups with 6 - 8 participants in each group
  • Qualitative data to be analysed from a social constructivist perspective using reflexive thematic analysis

• How do ex-forces personnel perceive the value of their military Service on their post-Service life?

A maximum of 64 UK ex-forces personnel from across the tri-Services who left service between two and 10 years ago. 

The aim is to recruit a representative sample across Service branches, ranks, gender, ethnicity, age, sexuality, and across the devolved nations.