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Armed Forces Covenant
We have pledged our support for the Armed Forces Community by signing an Armed Forces Covenant. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Vetrans and Military families contribute to our business and our country.
The Armed Forces Covenant
An Enduring Covenant Between
The People of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty’s Government
– and –
All those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown
And their Families
The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that
responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing
danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty.
Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed
Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval
Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve
our respect and support, and fair treatment.
Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have
served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other
citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is
appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the
injured and the bereaved.
This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable
bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed
Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and
demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in
upholding this Covenant.