Armed Forces Community

How to Sign the Armed Forces Covenant

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces and their families are treated fairly. Serving in the Armed Forces can often mean short notice changes to plans, affecting many aspects of day-to-day life for Service Personnel, and their families – even after their service. For most of the Armed Forces community, the Covenant is about removing disadvantage; so that they get the same access to services as the civilian community. 

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) an organisation demonstrates it’s intention to support the Armed Forces community and provides the signatory with the opportunity to be recognised by the Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award. An ERS award shows that the recipient is delivering tangible support for the Armed Forces community. 

To make your pledge and sign the Armed Forces Covenant couldn’t be easier:  

  • Add your logo, dates, and signatures and save the document 
  • Email a copy of the document, company website, company registration number, and company head office address to afcovenant@rfca.mod.uk 

You can find a step-by-step guide on signing the Covenant here.

What happens next: 

  • You will receive an acknowledgement while checks are being made, and there may be some further email correspondence to finalise details. 
  • You will then receive a notification that you have been accepted, along with Armed Forces Covenant logos and branding which you can utilise to show your commitment. 
  • You may also be invited to take part in a formal signing of the Covenant with others from your community. 

Signing the Covenant shouldn’t be the end…

Employer Recognition Scheme

The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) was launched in 2014 to recognise employer support for the wider principles of the Armed Forces’ Covenant. The scheme encompasses Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for employers that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to Defence and the Armed Forces’ community. This includes the Reserves, Service leavers, Armed Forces’ Veterans, the wounded, injured and sick, Cadets,  military spouses or partners and their families.