Military to Civilian

Transition Dictionary

Whether you're just starting out or well into your transition, this dictionary breaks down the terms, acronyms and jargon that matter most, so you can make informed decisions at every step.

Type above to find a specific term.

A

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service): The free, independent service that helps sort workplace disputes before they reach a tribunal.
Annual Leave Allowance: Your paid holiday in a civilian job — most roles start around 28 days, including bank holidays.
Apprenticeship Levy: A fund employers pay into that can cover your training or requalification on the job.
Armed Forces Covenant: A promise from government and employers that you won't be disadvantaged for having served.
Army Resettlement Advisory Service (ARAS): Army-run advice to help you plan your move into civilian life.

B

BR3: The Royal Navy's manual of career, admin and resettlement rules — worth knowing before you leave.
British Legion: The Royal British Legion: welfare, grants and support for serving and ex-serving personnel.

C

Certificate of Service: Your official proof of service and conduct — some employers will ask for it.
Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship: A structured Civil Service apprenticeship that builds a government career after service.
Civilian Employer: The people who'll hire you next, and how their world differs from the military's.
Civvy Street: Forces slang for civilian life: the world you're moving into after service.
Commutable Skills: The military skills that carry straight over into a civilian job.
Compulsory Early Release (CER): Being released from service earlier than planned, and how to prepare for it.

D

Defence Transition Services (DTS): MoD support for those who need extra help making the move to civilian life.
Disability Employment Advisor (DEA): A Jobcentre specialist who helps disabled people, including veterans, find and keep work.
Discharge: The formal end of your service — the types, the paperwork, and what each means.
DWP (Department for Work and Pensions): The government department behind benefits, pensions and Jobcentre Plus.

E

Employer Recognition Scheme: MoD awards for employers who go out of their way to support the forces community.
Ex-Military Network: Networks of former personnel who share jobs, contacts and advice.
Ex-Service Personnel: Anyone who has served and left — the community you're now part of.
External Assignment: A posting outside the military that builds civilian experience before you leave.

F

Flexible Service: Part-time working or a temporary break from full commitment while still serving.
Forces Pension Society (FPS): Independent experts on armed forces pensions who'll check what you're owed.
Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS): A way to keep serving full-time on a fixed commitment as a reservist.

G

General Discharge: A discharge under honourable conditions, and what it means for benefits and jobs.

I

Individual Resettlement Plan (IRP): Your personal plan for the move to civilian life, agreed with resettlement staff.
Injury on Duty Pension: A payment for those injured in the course of their service.

J

Jobcentre Plus: The government's job-search and benefits service on the high street.
Joint Personnel Administration (JPA): The MoD's HR and pay system — your JPA record isn't a CV.
Joint Service Housing Advice Office (JSHAO): The MoD office that advises on your housing options as you leave service.

L

Learning and Development Officer: The person who helps you build skills and training on your way out.
Learning Credits Administration Service (LCAS): The body that runs Enhanced Learning Credit claims and approves course providers.
Leavers' Pack: The bundle of information and admin you're given as you prepare to leave.
Leaving the Service: The whole process of moving from military to civilian life, start to finish.

M

Medical Discharge: Being discharged on medical grounds, and the support and benefits that follow.
Military Covenant: The nation's commitment that those who serve are treated fairly.
MOD (Ministry of Defence): The government department that runs the UK's armed forces.
MOD Form 90: Your MoD identity card, used for access and proof of service.

N

National Apprenticeship Service (NAS): The government service matching people to apprenticeships, including veterans.
Notice to Terminate (NTT): The formal notice you give to end your service, and the timelines involved.

O

Occupational Health Assessment: A check of your health needs to support your move into civilian work.
Occupational Pension: A workplace pension from a civilian employer, on top of any service pension.
Officer Resettlement: Resettlement support tailored to officers leaving service.
Outplacement Services: Employer-funded help — CVs, interviews, coaching — to land your next role.

P

Personal Development Plan (PDP): A plan setting your goals and the skills you'll build to reach them.
Personal Resettlement Plan (PRP): Your tailored roadmap for the transition, agreed during resettlement.
Post Operational Stress Management (POSM): Support for managing stress after operations, and into your transition.

Q

Quartered Accommodation: Service-provided housing, and how long you can stay in it as you leave.

R

Regimental Career Management Officer (RCO): The officer who guides your career and transition planning within your regiment.
Resettlement Courses: MoD-funded courses that build the skills for your next civilian role.
Resettlement Leave: Paid time off to train, job-hunt and prepare for civilian life.

S

Service Complaints Ombudsman: The independent body that investigates complaints from armed forces personnel.
Service Leavers: Personnel in the process of leaving the armed forces.
Service Records: Your official record of service — useful for job and benefit applications.
Skills for Life: Funded literacy and numeracy qualifications to support your next step.
Specialist Service Leaver Advisor: An advisor giving one-to-one guidance to those leaving service.

T

Temporary Reserved Accommodation: Short-term housing to bridge the gap as you leave service.
Transition to Civilian Life: The shift from military to civilian living, work and routine.
Tri-Service: Anything covering all three services — Army, Navy and RAF — together.

U

Unemployment Support: Financial help and job support if you're out of work after service.
Uniformed Services: The structured, uniformed careers — military, police, fire and more.

V

Veterans Advisory & Pensions Committees (VAPC): Regional committees advising on veterans' pensions and welfare.
Veterans Employment Transition Support (VETS): Mentoring and support to help veterans into civilian careers.
Veterans Gateway: The single first point of contact for veteran support in the UK.
Veterans Mental Health Services: NHS and charity services for veterans' mental health, including PTSD.

W

Welfare Officer: The person responsible for the wellbeing of personnel and their families.
Work Experience Placements: Short civilian placements to build skills and contacts before you leave.
Wounded, Injured, and Sick (WIS) Programme: Support for personnel who are wounded, injured or sick during transition.

X

X-Factor: The uplift on service pay that recognises the demands of military life.

Y

Youth Training Programmes: Training aimed at younger service leavers starting their civilian careers.

Z

Zero Hours Contract: A contract with no guaranteed hours — flexible, but know your rights.