"With increased levels of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan our Armed Services are stretched to the limit. I am concerned that we are not providing enough support for those leaving the service after suffering stress on active duty.
"Another concern is early retirement of some of our best and most experienced officers. Recent evidence suggests some of the leaders of tomorrow are leaving the services for other careers rather then seeking more senior positions with the Armed Forces. This could pose a real threat for the future.
"I welcome the NAO report and look forward to reviewing it in committee in the Autumn."
Mr Dunne was speaking as it was revealed in 2006-07, some 25,000 personnel left the Armed Forces. All leavers have access to some assistance to help them when returning to civilian life. The level of resettlement support is determined by the length of military service and is not dependent on the rank of the leaver. Personnel discharged for medical reasons are entitled to the highest level of support regardless of how long they have served.
The majority of leavers get coaching in CV writing and job interview techniques; a contribution of £534 towards the cost of training plus associated travel and accommodation costs; up to 35 working days to prepare for their return to civilian life; briefings on housing and personal finance issues; and access to a career consultant.
Most Service leavers find suitable accommodation on leaving the Forces, and the MoD offers a reasonable amount of support to help people when doing so. However, a small number of leavers have difficulties in finding suitable accommodation.
The MoD has improved the provision of resettlement support for Early Service Leavers because this group includes individuals more vulnerable to unemployment and homelessness. However, inconsistencies in the quality of support offered at unit level undermines the overall provisions made.
The Army has to contend with particular challenges in supporting those leaving, compared to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The Army draws a large number of recruits from educationally and socially disadvantaged backgrounds who, in many cases, also join with weak basic skills. Access to resettlement provision to meet the challenges of the transition to civilian life has been affected by the recent high level of operations which has increased the demand on soldiers' time as they come to the end of their service.
An NAO survey showed that around one in ten leavers who were eligible for the full resettlement package did not attend any Career Transition Partnership course. A small proportion said they were not aware of the services which were available to them. For those leaving the Army, the proportion of those who were unaware of what support was available to them was higher, especially from the junior ranks. The MoD must continue to improve awareness of the support that is available.
