Veterans Aid CEO Dr Hugh Milroy has described the Military Covenant as ’empty rhetoric’ in a newspaper report about former soldier John Bryant.
John, once the youngest British soldier serving in Helmand, came to VA when he was homeless and alone.Today he is a qualified scaffolder, has a good job and a home – but no thanks to the Military Covenant. He told The Independent, “I don’t think it makes any sense to be honest because I don’t know anyone that it’s helped at all. It just seems to be a load of words on paper – just to make a point that its there.”
VA staff insist that most ex-Servicemen and women make a good transition to civilian life – and point out how much is already in place to help veterans. They are less positive about the Military Covenant claiming that it raised expectations against which it has failed to deliver.
“The problems that bring people to us are related to poverty and social exclusion, not military service,” says Milroy. “There is a lot of confusion about the issues. We need a discussion in this country about who veterans are in the 21st century. If they are special, and we are going to support them, how are we going to do it? And what are their rights? And if they haven’t got any special rights, let’s say so.
“The Covenant was a good initiative, conceived for all the right reasons, but it has failed to deliver.”
Full text of The Independent feature and Veterans AId film of John Bryant below.
The Independent – “The Covenant doesn’t help anyone. It’s just words’
John Bryant video – I am a Veteran – a film by TTV for Veterans AId.
