Personnel leaving the armed forces will now be able to keep their military ID.

The move will allow veterans to maintain their emotional connection with the armed forces, allowing them to keep the card they have carried throughout their career.

Retaining their ID card (known as the MOD Form 90) will also allow service leavers to be identified as veterans quickly and easily, aiding their transition into civilian life. Charities, Veterans UK, local authorities and GPs will also no longer have to carry out time-consuming checks to identify individual veterans.

Instead of handing back their card to be destroyed on the day of discharge, the corners will now be cut off to show the card is no longer valid. This will ensure that security is maintained at bases and other sensitive sites.

Handing back the Service ID card has regularly been identified as something that members of the armed forces would like to change.

Chief of Defence People, Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, said:

“Time and time again, I have heard from service leavers that handing back their ID card is one of the hardest things to do as they leave the forces.

“Leaving the military is an emotionally-charged moment and I hope that this change will ease some of those feelings by reinforcing the message to our veterans that they remain a valued member of the armed forces community.”

Service leaver, Col David Madden, said:

“My ID card is more than just a piece of plastic with my photo on, it signifies my service and marks my time in the armed forces. Whilst it might seem like something small, keeping my card will make a practical difference by allowing me to verify my service to my GP surgery and local authority.”

Source: Gov.uk

See also

See this week’s Ministry of Defence military promotions and awards Gazette supplement (16 July 2018)