Armed Forces Day, 29 June 2013 - Wearing the Armed Forces Badge

10th June 2013

HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge

The HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Lapel Badge was launched in May 2004 by the then Minister for Veterans, to raise the profile of veterans by assisting the wider public to recognise them.

The first veterans badge was issued to Lord Healey, a veteran of the Battle for Monte Cassino, on 10 May 2004, which initiated the roll out of the badge to the generation who served in the Second World War. Since then eligibility to apply for the badge has been extended in sequential phases and now all veterans are eligible to apply.

The badge is an enamelled, engraved, and pinned, lapel badge featuring the words “HM Armed Forces – Veteran”, which encompass the Tri-Service, Anchor, Crossed Swords and Eagle motif. Its symbolism is intended to unite all veterans in recognising the commonality of their service, to encourage a sense of unity and community between surviving veterans and to ignite public recognition of our veterans and their continuing contribution to society.

If you are eligible to apply for a badge, and wish to do so in time for Armed Forces Day on 29 June, you will need to apply as soon as possible. Details on how to do so are given below.

Eligibility Criteria
All those who have served in HM Armed Forces, including Volunteer and Regular Reserves

Exceptions
Veterans who served in Armed Forces of other Countries and those who served alongside HM Armed Forces are not eligible (e.g. Canadian Navy or Royal Australian Air Force).

Posthumous requests
The badge is a survivors’ badge and therefore is not issued posthumously.
The only exception is for War Widows and Widowers who are in receipt of a War Widows/Widowers Pension paid by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. This also includes those who have received an award of Survivors Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP) under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. This is in recognition of the fact that their death was due to their military service.

How to apply
You can apply by any of the following methods:
Click on one of the links below to access the application form.
Application Forms
Acrobat Reader Version
http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/wpa1162.pdf

Please ensure you complete the form including your service details as fully as possible.
You may post or fax your completed form to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.

Another option is to download the form, complete it electronically, save the form and return to the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency by email.

If you wish, you may call the Freephone number to apply. Please ensure you have to hand all the details asked for on the application form.

Postal address:
The MOD Medal Office
Innsworth House
Imjin Barracks
Gloucester
GL3 1HW
Fax: 01452 510871 (UK only)
+44 1452 510871 (Overseas)

Email:SPVA-veteransbadges[AT]mod.uk.

Freephone Helpline
Free: 0800 169 2277 (UK only)
Free: 0800 169 3458 (Minicom UK only)
+44 1253 866043 (Overseas)

For more information and links to other methods to apply go to
http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm