A major report published in late 2024 has laid bare the long-felt frustrations, quiet resilience, and future hopes of UK veterans who served in Afghanistan.
Drawing on interviews and survey responses from more than 1,500 former service personnel, the research exposes deep concerns about public misunderstanding, governmental neglect, and a lack of meaningful community – but also a strong desire to build something better.
The UK Afghanistan Veterans’ Community: Insights and Strategy Report, developed by M&C Saatchi World Services, forms the foundation of a new veterans’ organisation, one built to serve and connect those who took part in the 20-year conflict.
Service remembered, but at what cost?
More than 73% of surveyed veterans reported that the outcome of the Afghanistan campaign had a negative impact on their morale. This number was highest among younger veterans aged 18 to 34 – a group particularly sensitive to the way the conflict was wound down and how their efforts have been framed since.
The overwhelming majority – 92% – said they worry the sacrifices made by veterans of Afghanistan will be forgotten.
Focus groups and interviews revealed a complex mix of pride and pain. Many veterans felt a strong emotional connection to their service, particularly those who deployed multiple times. One respondent described the country as “pretty much my entire career”, having completed 14 tours.
And yet, that deep commitment has not always been matched by understanding. Veterans expressed frustration that the British public tends to view the war through a political lens, with little knowledge of what service people actually experienced on the ground.
Associations feel “outdated”
While many veterans said they hold broadly positive views of existing veterans’ associations, they were also blunt about their limitations. Focus group participants described some as “stuffy”, “old-fashioned”, and overly focused on history and tradition.
Younger veterans, particularly those from the NCO/OR (Non-Commissioned Officer and Other Ranks) cohort, said they often feel excluded by the formality and perceived elitism of traditional veterans’ spaces. Several said they avoid attending local branches altogether, and some noted closures due to lack of interest.
Instead, there is demand for a more inclusive and practical approach – one that doesn’t replicate what’s already available but rethinks support for a new generation.
Towards a new community
At the heart of the report is a sense that Afghanistan veterans do not yet have a true “home” within the wider Armed Forces community.
Although 94% of respondents said they feel a shared bond with others who served in Afghanistan, many also reported that no meaningful community exists to connect them. While some officers were ambivalent about the need for such a network, others – particularly among the ORs – saw great value in building a space for reconnection.
One veteran said: “People have had their demons… they’ve broken away from the military completely and just severed most ties. But I think the dust has settled enough that those people are starting to come back.”
Survey results confirmed this pent-up appetite. A striking 85% of respondents said they were either “somewhat” or “very interested” in joining a new organisation specifically for Afghanistan veterans. Notably, even among those who were not already members of any veterans’ group, enthusiasm was high.
Identity and recognition
When asked about their sense of identity, 50% of respondents said being someone who served in Afghanistan was “very important” to them – placing it third only to serving their country and being a member of their service branch.
This identity was especially strong among NCOs and ORs. For many, Afghanistan was not just one campaign among many but the defining feature of their career. And it is precisely this significance that underpins the drive to establish a dedicated community for those who served there.
There was also a recognition that the British public’s understanding of Afghanistan – and why the UK was involved – has shifted over time. One veteran recalled: “In 2001, it was all positive… Then five or six years later, it was sorrow. So many casualties, and no clear answers.”
This shift in narrative has fuelled a wider unease among veterans who feel their service has been undervalued or misunderstood.
What should the new organisation do?
The report found overwhelming support for a veterans’ organisation that is modern, inclusive, and multi-functional. Veterans don’t want a single-issue campaign – they want connection, commemoration, advocacy, and real-world support.
Top priorities included:
- Commemorating sacrifices made in Afghanistan (92%)
- Mental health support tailored to veterans’ experiences (92%)
- Safe spaces – both online and in person – to talk (89%)
- Media advocacy to challenge stereotypes (87%)
- Employment and transition support for those leaving the forces (81%)
Interestingly, connecting veterans online or through events ranked slightly lower, suggesting that while camaraderie is valued, practical outcomes matter more than ceremonial get-togethers.
The new organisation – the UK Afghanistan Veterans Community – aims to fulfil these goals. But its founders are acutely aware that it must feel fresh, relevant, and genuinely responsive if it’s to succeed.
Inclusion: who should be involved?
One of the most debated questions in the research was whether membership should extend beyond those who wore the uniform. Focus group participants and survey respondents were split almost evenly on whether the community should include Afghan interpreters, UK civilians who worked on operations, and the families of veterans.
Of those open to broader inclusion, 98% said bereaved family members should be welcomed, and 87% supported the involvement of UK civilians who worked in support roles. There was less support (21%) for including Afghan civilians now living in the UK.
This tension reflects a deeper question about identity, ownership, and who gets to speak for the Afghanistan mission and its legacy.
Learning the lessons
The report was never simply a research exercise – it was designed to inform the creation of an organisation that could correct past failings and offer hope for the future.
As veterans Jonny Ball and Lt Col Matt Mallett MBE put it in their foreword: “We may learn the lessons of the past and help create for those who served a positive future.”
The support of M&C Saatchi World Services, a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant and holder of the Defence Gold Employer Recognition Scheme, provided the professional guidance needed to steer the charity’s foundation.
The report’s authors call on the government, institutions, and the wider public to take notice. This is not simply about remembrance – it’s about relevance, and building a future where those who served in one of Britain’s most enduring conflicts are no longer left on the margins.
