This week Conservative MP for Beaconsfield, Dominic Grieve, writes to Bucks Free Press readers...

Across the country, Armed Forces Day was an opportunity for people to show their support for those who are members of this country’s armed services.

Reservists are forming an increasing number of those who enlist, as the structure of the armed services undergoes change. They feature alongside their colleagues in the regulars in the Armed Forces Covenant, just as they all work together in fulfilling the tasks which we ask of them.

One of those tasks recently has been to help care for and bring home safely the British victims of terrorism in the attack at Sousse in Tunisia.

The Covenant sets out the responsibility which the whole of this country owes to those who serve in the armed forces, in whatever capacity, along with their families.

This document points out that people in the armed forces are the members of a community for which the whole community has a duty of care. Members of the armed forces “should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.”

Bucks Free Press:

Buckinghamshire Armed Forces Day 2015

Making the transition back into civilian life can have its difficulties. On Armed Forces Day, it was announced that the government’s employment support programme will now be extended to the whole of the armed forces.

The Career Transition Programme (CTP) has already helped more than 200,000 ex-servicemen and women. This help is going to be available to reservists. There is also going to be a trial scheme to help partners of those in the services.

After all, those partners might well have had to move around the country, depending on where their partner was posted to serve.

The CTP offers advice on training grants, vocational training and career guidance. Help is also available on resettling and on a wide range of matters like pensions, housing, finance, career development or health care.

Employers are being urged to show their support by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant and to take measures to assist employees who are reservists.