Military slang such as 'on the double', 'scran' and 'AWOL' continues to be used by veterans in civilian life because it brings back fond memories, according to a new study.
A poll of more than 4,000 Veterans Railcard holders found many still use familiar phrases long after leaving service, including 'civvies' (civilian clothes), 'hoofing' (excellent) and 'doss bag' (sleeping bag). Almost half (48%) said using the familiar language evokes positive memories from their time in service, with 27% saying it reinforces a sense of camaraderie and 24% feeling a strong sense of belonging.
Distance and Life Pressures Hinder Connections
The study, commissioned by railcard.co.uk, revealed many veterans struggle with losing connection after leaving service, with camaraderie and friendship (44%) and travelling to new places (20%) among the things they miss the most.
It also found 22% of the veterans polled may feel disconnected from the friends they made after leaving service, citing loss of friendships, routine and support networks as reasons they struggled to adjust to 'civvy street'. More than half (54%) said living far apart from fellow veterans has made it harder to stay in touch, while work (47%) and family commitments (42%) also play a role.
Reunion Frequency and Adjustment Time
Despite 79% believing it is important to maintain those relationships, just 22% manage to meet up every few months, and 19% only manage a reunion once a year. The findings revealed veterans take an average of 17 months to feel comfortable in civilian life again, with half of respondents interested in meeting fellow veterans from other generations.
railcard.co.uk brought together veterans to share their experiences of readjusting to life outside the military. Fronted by former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod OBE, the video also features RAF veteran Iain Henderson and Army vet Corbin Mackin.
Veterans' Views and Public Understanding
Mark Ormrod said: "As a veteran from Plymouth, a city shaped by generations of service, I know how powerful those military bonds are. But once you step back into civilian life, staying connected to that community isn't always easy - distance and life pressures can get in the way. That's why my Veterans Railcard means so much. It's not just a third off train travel; it removes barriers. It gives me freedom to visit old comrades, check in on someone who might be struggling, attend events or simply be present for others that are making their transition back to civvy street."
The research of 2,000 civilians, carried out via OnePoll, found 75% don't think they would be able to understand what life in the forces was like, with 62% saying the same about the challenges veterans face when adjusting to civilian life. Despite this, 86% believe it is important for veterans to stay connected, as it's good for their mental health and wellbeing (78%), maintains a sense of community (73%), and helps veterans share their stories (53%).
Catherine Lyver, for railcard.co.uk, said: "We're proud to support the veteran community through our Veterans Railcard, helping ex-service personnel save money on travel and making it easier to visit friends, attend reunions and maintain those all-important bonds. Whether it's travelling across the country to see fellow veterans or heading back to places that hold special memories from their time in service, we want to help veterans stay connected to the people and places that matter most."
