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On Saturday, June 28th, 2025, communities across the country will come together for Armed Forces Day to celebrate the remarkable men and women who serve and have served in our Armed Forces.
From the bustling streets of major cities to quiet village greens, the day will be filled with parades, ceremonies, and heartfelt displays of gratitude for those who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms.
Unlike Remembrance Day, which focuses on the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, Armed Forces Day is a celebration of life and service.
It’s our chance as a nation to thank those who are currently serving, welcome home those who have completed their service, and recognise the families who stand behind them with unwavering support. It’s also an opportunity to acknowledge the broader armed forces community – from our dedicated Reserve Forces and enthusiastic Cadet Forces to the families who share in the challenges and rewards of military life.
At Care after Combat, Armed Forces Day holds particular significance for us.
Whilst we join the nation in celebrating, we also reflect on our mission to support veterans during their most challenging moments. Our work reminds us that the journey of service doesn’t end when someone leaves the military: sometimes, it’s when veterans need our support most.
As we celebrate this year, we invite you to discover the history of Armed Forces Day and explore meaningful ways to show appreciation for our service community throughout the year.
The Story Behind Armed Forces Day
The origins of Armed Forces Day trace back to February 2006, when then-Chancellor Gordon Brown announced plans for a new national celebration.
Initially called Veterans’ Day, Brown’s vision was clear: “to ensure the contribution of veterans was never forgotten.” The date chosen (June 27th) holds special significance, coming just one day after the anniversary of the first Victoria Cross investiture in Hyde Park, London, in 1857.
The inaugural Veterans’ Day in 2006 marked the beginning of something special. Events across the UK included a gathering at the Imperial War Museum in London, a service at Westminster Abbey, and parades across the country.
In 2009, Veterans’ Day became Armed Forces Day, broadening its scope to celebrate the entire military community. This change reflected a growing recognition that support and appreciation should extend beyond veterans to encompass everyone touched by military service.
The renamed celebration embraced active service personnel, reserves, cadets, and the families who form the backbone of our armed forces community.
Since then, Armed Forces Day has grown significantly in recognition and participation.
Each year, millions of people across the nation participate in events that demonstrate our collective pride in the work, integrity, and sacrifices of our armed forces community.
Celebrating the Entire Armed Forces Community
Armed Forces Day’s beauty lies in its inclusivity.
This is a celebration that recognises every person whose life has been shaped by military service. Current serving personnel, from new recruits taking their first steps in military careers to seasoned officers leading with decades of experience, all find their service acknowledged and appreciated. Veterans, whether they served for a few years or made the military their life’s work, are welcomed home and thanked for their contributions to our nation’s security and values.
The celebration extends beyond those who wore the uniform to encompass the wider community that makes military service possible. Reserve Forces, who balance civilian careers with military commitments, receive recognition for their unique dual dedication. Cadet Forces are also celebrated for their enthusiasm and commitment to service values.
Perhaps most importantly, Armed Forces Day acknowledges military families. Spouses who maintain households during long deployments, children who frequently move schools and adapt to the demands of military life, and extended families who provide support all receive recognition for their contributions.
Armed Forces Day 2025: What to Expect
As we approach Armed Forces Day 2025, excitement builds for what promises to be another memorable celebration of our armed forces community.
The national event will once again showcase the best of British military tradition, with ceremonial displays, parades, and opportunities for the public to meet and thank service personnel.
Many local communities are planning their own celebrations, from small village gatherings to major city parades. These events often become highlights of local calendars, bringing together people from all walks of life in shared appreciation for military service.
Veterans’ organisations like Care after Combat will participate too, creating bridges between past and present service that demonstrate the continuity of military values and traditions.
Families and civilians can participate in numerous ways, from attending local parades and ceremonies to supporting armed forces charities and simply taking time to thank service personnel they encounter.
The day offers countless opportunities for meaningful engagement, and below we have a few ways you can make the most of these opportunities:
Ways to Show Your Support
Armed Forces Day provides the perfect opportunity to demonstrate appreciation for our service community, but meaningful support can take many forms throughout the year:
Attend Local Events
- Join local parades and ceremonies to offer direct, visible support.
- Participate in Armed Forces Day events in your community.
Support Armed Forces Charities
- Make financial donations to organisations serving the military community.
- Volunteer your time with charities providing crisis support and rehabilitation services.
- Offer professional expertise to help charities operate more effectively.
Simple but Meaningful Gestures
- Thank the service personnel you encounter in daily life.
- Learn about military history.
- Support military families in your community with practical help.
- Include military families in social activities and community events.
Use Social Media to Amplify Support
- Share Armed Forces Day content across your networks.
- Highlight veteran achievements and success stories.
- Promote armed forces causes and charitable initiatives.
- Help spread appreciation to reach service personnel worldwide.
Get Hands-On Through Volunteering
- Volunteer with military support organisations in your area.
- Help with events, administrative tasks, and fundraising activities.
- Contribute to direct service provision programmes.
- Use your specific skills and expertise to transform lives and strengthen communities.
Care after Combat’s Role in the Armed Forces Community
Within the broader landscape of armed forces support, Care after Combat occupies a unique and vital position. Our mission centres on supporting veterans who find themselves within the justice system and helping them build a brighter future.
Our approach recognises that the journey of service doesn’t end when someone leaves the military.
For some veterans, the transition to civilian life presents challenges that can stem from service-related trauma, mental health struggles, or difficulties adapting to civilian structures and expectations.
When these challenges intersect with the justice system, veterans often find themselves in particularly isolating circumstances that require specialised understanding and support.
Through our flagship Project Phoenix programme, we provide one-to-one mentorship that builds resilience, restores purpose, and prepares veterans for successful community reintegration. Our mentors understand both military culture and the realities of the justice system, creating relationships built on shared understanding rather than judgement.
Our success stories demonstrate the transformative power of understanding and support. Veterans who complete our programme show dramatically reduced reoffending rates – just one-fifth of the national average. This statistic represents real people who have rebuilt their lives, restored family relationships, and found their community.
Each success story reinforces our belief that with appropriate support, every veteran can find their way back to a life of purpose and dignity.
Looking Forward Together
Armed Forces Day 2025 will be a day of pride, appreciation, and celebration.
Across the countries, communities will gather to celebrate those who serve and have served our nation. Parades will march, flags will fly, and communities will express their thanks to the men and women who dedicate their lives to protecting our freedoms and values.
Yet, the true measure of our appreciation lies not in a single day’s celebrations but in our ongoing commitment to supporting the armed forces community through every phase of their journey.
From welcoming new recruits to celebrating distinguished careers to supporting veterans through transition challenges, our responsibility extends throughout the year and across the lifetime of service and beyond.
At Care after Combat, we see Armed Forces Day as both a celebration and a reminder of the work that remains to be done. Every veteran we support through our programmes represents someone’s son or daughter, husband or wife, parent or friend – someone who answered their nation’s call and deserves our continued support when they need it most.
Join us in making Armed Forces Day 2025 memorable, not just for its ceremonies and celebrations but for the renewed commitment it inspires to support our armed forces communities every day of the year. Together, we can ensure that the gratitude expressed on Armed Forces Day translates into the practical support, understanding, and opportunities that veterans and their families deserve.
Ready to support our armed forces community beyond Armed Forces Day?
Visit the Care after Combat website to learn how you can contribute to supporting veterans during their most challenging moments. Because every veteran deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life with dignity, purpose, and support.