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Armed Forces: Career Development

Asked by Mr Angus MacDonaldLiberal DemocratMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 19 October 2025UIN 81197

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to help support service personnel who are unable to attend the non-commissioned officer course due to a medical condition sustained during their military duties.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones

Whilst Defence sets medical employment standards, it is left to the discretion of the single Services how these should be applied to specific professions. Personnel who are medically unable to attend career related courses can receive support specific to individual circumstances and their branch of Service. In general they will have access to welfare officers, career management advisors, chaplaincy services, and dedicated welfare organisations, and they may be granted extensions to promotion timelines. The Armed Forces are committed to supporting personnel who face such challenges, and we continue to review policies to ensure fairness and inclusivity wherever possible.

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