A new report based on the experiences of ethnic minority ex-Service personnel has been published by Forces in Mind Trust.
The study was the first of its kind to explore the experiences of former Service personnel from ethic minority backgrounds and adopted an inclusive research design approach, including co-production of the research design, development and implementation.
The research focused on understanding more about what motivated people from ethnic minorities to join the UK Armed Forces, what enticed them to say, what factors influenced their decision to leave, and their experience since leaving.
The research was based on 36 in-depth interviews with ethnic minority former Service personnel, and over 400 survey results from both ethnic minority and white ex-Service personnel, who had served between 1974 and 2023.
Participants interviewed reflected on mostly positive experiences of their time in the Armed Forces, often describing the military as their “family” in interviews, which fostered a support network based in a sense of camaraderie. There was also a positive perception that the Armed Forces were a way to enhance education and gain transferable skills to use in further employment. Ethnic minority veterans were more likely to say that they enlisted in the Armed Forces for skills, education and training, than white respondents to the survey.
Those interviewed provided examples of racism, bullying and harassment during their time in the Armed Forces, but indicated that overt racism was rare. However, it had a significant negative impact on ethnic minority personnel when it did occur. Perceived unconscious bias was more common, with participants citing concerns about feeling that they were overlooked for promotion more often than their white peers.
Ex-Service personnel reported that experiences of ethnic minorities had improved during their time in the Armed Forces, but they thought that the pace of change was too slow.
The research also sought to understand the experiences of ethnic minority Service personnel after they had left the Armed Forces. There was evidence in the report to suggest that their experiences differed during transition and in civilian life, in areas such as access to employment and housing. The report stresses the importance of further research for understanding the unique needs of this cohort after Service.
