The Armed Forces Covenant

Supporting the Covenant

There are several ways organisations and individuals can support the Covenant:

  • sign a Covenant pledge
  • gain an award through the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
  • participate in events such as Armed Forces Week, Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Sunday, and others
  • sign the Armed Forces Covenant

Organisations can make an Armed Forces Covenant pledge.

Pledges can include:

  • being an Armed Forces friendly organisation
  • supporting the employment of veterans and service leavers
  • providing flexibility in leave for service spouses and partners before, during, and after deployment
  • supporting reservist employees by allowing leave for training and deployment
  • offering discounts to members of the armed forces community

Awards for supporters

The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme encourages employers to support the Armed Forces and inspire others to do the same.

The scheme awards bronze, silver, and gold levels for organisations that pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support for defence and the Armed Forces community, aligning their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.

Learn more about the requirements for awards

Participating in events

Members of the public can support various national and local events, such as:

  • Flag Raising and Reserves Day during Armed Forces Week, the third week of June
  • Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in June
  • Remembrance Day, 11 November

Page last modified: 11 December 2025

Corporate Policy Team