Veterans use military slang to stay connected as distance remains top barrier

Veterans use military slang to stay connected as distance remains top barrier New research shows many veterans still use military slang long after leaving service with to evoke positive memories and connect with others - as distance can make it difficult to keep in touch Military veterans have opened up about the service slang they continue to use in civilian life because it brings back cherished memories - including 'on the double', 'scran' and 'AWOL'. A survey of more than 4,000 Veterans Railcard holders revealed that many former servicemen and women still rely on familiar phrases long after hanging up their uniforms, such as 'civvies' (civilian clothes), 'hoofing' (excellent) and 'doss bag' (sleeping bag). Nearly half (48%) said using the well-known language stirs up positive memories from their time in the forces, with 27% saying it strengthens a sense of camaraderie and 24% feeling a powerful sense of belonging. The research, commissioned by railcard.co.uk, uncovered that many veterans struggle with losing connection after leaving service, with camaraderie and friendship (44%), and travelling to new places (20%) amongst the things they miss the most. It also discovered that 22% of those polled may feel cut off from the friends they made during their service, pointing to the loss of friendships, routine and support networks as the key reasons they found it difficult to adjust to "civvy street". More than half (54%) said living far apart from fellow veterans has made it tougher to stay in touch, while work commitments (47%) and family responsibilities (42%) also play a significant part. Yet despite 79% believing it is vital to maintain those bonds, just 22% manage to meet up every few months, and 19% can only arrange a reunion once a year. The research revealed veterans take an average of 17 months to feel settled back into civilian life. Half of those surveyed expressed interest in connecting with fellow veterans from different generations. railcard. co.uk brought together veterans to share their experiences of readjusting to life outside the military. Fronted by former Royal Marine Mark Ormrod OBE, the video also features RAF veteran Iain Henderson and Army vet Corbin Mackin. Put your knowledge of the Forces' favourite phrases to the test and see whether you're ready for bootcamp, or heading straight back to civvy street. Take the quiz. Mark Ormrod said: "As a veteran from Plymouth, a city shaped by generations of service, I know how powerful those military bonds are. "But once you step back into civilian life, staying connected to that community isn't always easy - distance and life pressures can get in the way. That's why my Veterans Railcard means so much. It's not just a third off train travel; it removes barriers. "It gives me freedom to visit old comrades, check in on someone who might be struggling, attend events or simply be present for others that are making their transition back to civvy street." The study of 2,000 civilians, conducted via OnePoll, found 75% don't believe they could truly comprehend what military life entails, while 62% said the same regarding the difficulties veterans encounter when transitioning to civilian life. Nevertheless, 86% believe it's crucial for veterans to remain connected, as it benefits their mental health and wellbeing (78%), preserves a sense of community (73%), and enables veterans to share their experiences (53%). Catherine Lyver, for railcard.co.uk, said: "We're proud to support the veteran community through our Veterans Railcard, helping ex-service personnel save money on travel and making it easier to visit friends, attend reunions and maintain those all-important bonds. "Whether it's travelling across the country to see fellow veterans or heading back to places that hold special memories from their time in service, we want to help veterans stay connected to the people and places that matter most." THE TOP 15 SLANG WORDS VETERANS CAN'T SHAKE OFF: - Civvies - Civilian clothes: originating to distinguish non-uniform dress from military kit - Say again - “Repeat that”: a radio comms phrase used for clarity - Scran – Food: meaning rubbish, scraps or junk. Over time, it was used by the British military and navy to describe rations - Recce - Reconnaissance; checking an area: shortened from formal military terminology - AWOL - Absent without leave: official disciplinary term in military law - Baltic - Very cold: refers to the cold Baltic region/weather during deployments - Gash - Rubbish or useless: military term for waste - Hurry up and wait - Rush to get ready, then wait around: common military routine due to timings - Beasted - Physically pushed very hard: training slang for intense physical exercise - Threaders - Fed up or annoyed: “at the end of your thread” - Pull up a sandbag - Invitation to sit and tell a story: refers to troops sat on sandbags - Daysack - Small daily-use rucksack: standard military issue kit item - Chinstrapped – Exhausted: like a helmet strap undone, barely hanging on - Gen - Reliable information: originally WW2 forces slang - Redders - Very hot: military slang meaning “red hot”