"Are You a Veteran?" Understanding of the Term "Veteran" among UK Ex-Service Personnel: A Research Note. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burdett, Howard; Woodhead, Charlotte; Iversen, Amy C.; Wessely, Simon; Dandeker, Christopher; Fear, Nicola T.
• Is Part Of: Armed forces and society. Volume 39:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 751
• Page End: 759
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: veterans -- UK military -- identity -- ex-Service personnel; Sociology, Military -- Periodicals; Sociology, Military -- United States -- Periodicals; Armed Forces -- Periodicals; United States -- Armed Forces -- Periodicals; 306.27
• DOI: 10.1177/0095327X12452033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-327X

Abstract

Different countries have varying definitions of the word "veteran, " which in turn influence the benefits that ex-Service personnel receive. However, public opinion does not necessarily reflect official definitions. This article seeks to identify whether characteristics by which UK ex-Service personnel self-identify as veterans are aligned with official policy/public opinion, and which factors are associated with self-identification as a veteran. This article utilizes data from a structured telephone interview survey of UK Armed Forces personnel. All those who had left the military by the time of interview ( n = 202) were asked whether they considered themselves to be a veteran. Their responses were recorded and analyzed. Only half of the sample considered themselves to be veterans. Definitions used by UK ex-Service personnel do not align with the official UK government definition or public perceptions of "veterans, " which tend to focus on older veterans and/or those who served in both World Wars.