Forces Action A-Z

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) is a compensation scheme for all members of the Regular and Reserve Forces.  It provides compensation for all injuries, ill health and deaths that are mainly due (attributable) to service, the main cause of which occurred on or after the introduction of the scheme on 6 April 2005.

The ABF is the Army's national charity that looks after the welfare of Army, ex-Army personnel and their families.

Working alongside Regimental and Corps Benevolent Funds, and in co-operation with other service charities, the ABF primarily offers financial support to cases in "real need".

Help is usually given to individuals in the form of an ABF grant to supplement whatever the Regiment or Corps is able to provide.

The AFF is the independent voice of the Army families and works hard to improve the quality of life for Army families around the world on any aspect that is affected by the Army lifestyle.

With offices worldwide they receive calls every day from people seeking advice on issues such as marriage breakdowns and posting problems. The AFF also relays concerns through the Service Families Task Force so they can be raised with the Ministry of Defence and other government departments at Ministerial level.

The AFF is recognised as the army's representative and is often consulted by politicians and the media on issues regarding army families.

Much of the support available to Army personnel and their families is given through the Army Welfare Service (AWS), a professional and confidential welfare support service for servicemen and women and their families wherever they are located.  The AWS has three main tasks: community support, personal support and HIVE information services.

Tel: 01722 436569

ArmyNet is a secure website that's been developed by the army for army people.

Each registered user is given a unique user ID and password to enable them to access unclassified but sensitive information including pay statements, welfare instructions and forms.

Every user has their own free armymail.mod.uk account that can be accessed even whey are on leave or away from their duty station.

Regiments and Corps can also construct their own pages and communities on the site after a period of training that takes about 2 hours to complete.

e-mail : admin@armymail.mod.uk

BLESMA is the national charity for limbless serving and ex-Service men and women and their dependants and widows.  It directly supports all our service men and women who lose limbs, the use of limbs or eyes or the sight of an eye in the service of our country.  BLESMA is with them all, whenever they are needed, for the rest of their lives.

The British Armed Forces Federation (BAFF) is an independent, representative professional staff association for HM Forces personnel.  BAFF is all ranks and tri-Service, and is open to anyone serving in the Royal Navy/Royal Marines, British Army or Royal Air Force, including the Reserves.  Veterans can also join the federation.

BAFF is non-political, legally constituted and completely independent of the Ministry of Defence.  While BAFF claims no special recognition, the service authorities and Government ministers have confirmed that serving individuals are allowed to join and to be represented by such an organisation.  BAFF is a professional staff association, not an Armed Forces trade union.

Membership enquiry helpline: 0800-458-1946  

The British Forces Post Office provides a mail service to all British Forces locations around the world. A free aerogramme known as a 'bluey' can be used to and from all operational areas and there is also a free online message service known as the 'e-bluey'.

For customer services phone +44 (0) 8457 697 978

The BFSWS offers confidential support and preventive services for children, young people and families who may require support.  Its services include safeguarding and promoting the health and wellbeing of children and young people; recruitment, assessment and training of potential foster carers; and information for adopted people wishing to trace birth parents.

Telephone - Mil 73-3039/Civilian 05241-8403039/3040

The Career Transition Partnership (CTP) is the name given to the partnering agreement between the MoD and Right Management, how are global career development and outplacement specialists.  CTP provides eligible Service leavers with career transition services as part of their resettlement process. 

CTP delivers free settlement services to all ranks of the British Armed Forces and make the transition from military to civilian life as smooth and successful as possible.  Its staff understands the military way of life and the challenges facing people making the transition to civilian life.