How to improve quality of life for military personnel
Every person perceives their own quality of life differently. Physical and mental health, employment status and relationships all play a key role, and living standards are often defined by people’s perceptions of themselves in the world. For military personnel, these factors are magnified and complicated by their place in their unit and their service.
Quality of life is shaped by the unique challenges and opportunities brought on by the demands of life on base. If service personnel are not healthy, motivated and comfortable, they are less effective, subsequently affecting readiness and retention.
However, by taking a more holistic approach to physical, mental and emotional health, we can help improve the quality of life across the service in small and significant ways.
Understand the impact on families
According to the 2022 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS), 27% of serving personnel plan to leave at the end of their current engagement or commission, while a further 22% intend to leave before reaching that point. The single biggest influence on that decision is the impact of service life on family and personal life, with 59% citing it as a factor.
The sacrifice that families and dependants make has long been understood, and the Armed Forces Covenant recognises the challenges they face as well as the role they play in supporting operational effectiveness. However, when it comes to providing the kind of support that truly makes a difference, there is still much work to be done.
Living in our Shoes, a major review commissioned by the Ministry of Defence, identified several key issues and themes across all services, including:
- The impact of military life on personal relationships.
- The impact of Service life on children and young people.
- The employment and careers of spouses/partners.
- The health and wellbeing of military personnel and family members.
Lieutenant General James Swift, Chief of Defence People, highlighted the importance of “attracting and retaining the right numbers of capable, motivated individuals to deliver Defence outputs”.
In order to achieve this, our Armed Forces personnel must be confident that not only are they valued and will be treated fairly, but also that their families will be supported and treated properly.
Although there are recommendations for major policy changes, the review emphasises the importance of “small acts of kindness”, which could be as simple as people feeling welcome, or being offered help when moving to a new environment.
Such acts are the focus of Sodexo’s latest report, The Moments That Matter, which explores the simple ways in which our teams support personnel, families, and communities every day.
Maureen O’Leary, Service Manager for Sodexo at Larkhill Garrison, tells us how her 28 years as a military spouse inform her interactions with service personnel and their families every day. When a large regiment was redeployed from Germany, she pre-empted their arrival by flying out to meet the families and discuss the opportunities they would have in the United Kingdom.
