Veterans Allowed To Keep Military ID Cards

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

Veterans will be allowed to retain the card they carried on them during their service career, in a move confirmed by Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood.

Mr Ellwood said it would allow former service personnel to "retain that emotional connection" to their career.

The 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.

Where personnel previously were required to hand back their card upon being discharged, the corners of the card will now be cut off to show it is no longer valid.

The hope is that this will ensure security is maintained at bases and other sensitive sites.

It also means less time will be spent by authorities identifying individual veterans.

The Prime Minister last year also announced plans to provide 2.5 million former armed forces personnel with cards which identify them as veterans.

Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said:

"I’m delighted that people leaving the armed forces will be able to retain that emotional connection with their service by keeping their ID card.

"Retaining their ID card will also make it easier for veterans to access the many public services which prioritise veterans under the Armed Forces Covenant.

"So this is a small change that I know will make a big difference."

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."

The Ministry of Defence is currently conducting a cross-government review of veterans policy and provision, including a new veterans strategy, due to be released later this year.