Marking Armed Forces Day
Taking place annually on the last Saturday each June, Armed Forces Week aims to raise awareness and show support for the people who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadet force volunteers.
Our new employee resource group for our armed forces colleagues, MilNet, kicked off Armed Forces Week with a Connect & Learn session to introduce the group and to promote how Royal Mail can support our serving or ex-serving colleagues. This event is available on demand here.
They have also been celebrating on their Workplace group, marking the moments within the week, including Reserves Day (26 June), that shines a light on the amazing work of our colleagues who also contribute to the Reserve Forces.
To mark the final day of the week, Armed Forces Day (29 June), we spoke with Postie and veteran, Louie, about his experience transitioning to civilian life at Royal Mail, and how he continues to support his fellow veterans.
Tell us about your experience in the Armed Forces Community
I spent 5 years in the Irish Guards, and did Intelligence/Surveillance in Northern Ireland. I'm still in touch with many of my former colleagues.
How did you find transitioning to civilian life?
My initial 2-3 years after leaving were my worst time. Losing my support blanket and seeing what was around me. I started as a casual at Royal Mail, and the company has been the bedrock for life post-service. Travelling, buying a house and life experiences have all come along.
What does the launch of MilNet mean to you?
MilNet offers clear group support. Hopefully, it'll become more visible. It will be facilitated by empathy.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to a colleague working with a serving or ex-serving member of the Armed Forces community?
My advice to anyone working with an ex-squaddie, is to be patient. To have an ear. But to also talk of their own life proudly. It's a respectful, two-way relationship. Anything else, wouldn't be lasting.
How do you still support your fellow veterans?
I'm a mental health first aider at work, and also the Hub's ULR. Ultimately I wanna get the attention out there for anyone with mental health issues. But foremost, the overlooked veteran community.
In 2021' I had a brain haemorrhage, and was off work for a year. I've been back over 2 years now. It was hard at first but feel I'm there. To test how far I'd come, I applied for an Arctic trek/survival course in March this year. I completed it and felt like adventuring still.
Now I’m taking on the Oceans Elite Row. Me and a team of disabled veterans will row across the Atlantic Ocean in December 2024 to raise money for two charities, Alabaré Homes for Veterans and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, for bereaved military children.
Thank you for talking with us Louie! You can learn more and support Louie in his fundraising challenge at this link.
Supporting our Armed Forces community goes beyond Armed Forces Day. In fact, the Government, local communities and businesses across the UK, including Royal Mail, have committed to supporting Armed Forces personnel past and present by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant. The Covenant is a commitment to those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly.
You can read here about the work we’re doing as a company to uphold our commitment and support our serving and ex-serving colleagues.
