Research to find out how challenges faced by UK Armed Forces families overseas can be tackled effectively has moved a step closer.
AFF, the Naval Families Federation and the RAF Families Federation have chosen RAND Europe to carry out a study of their experiences through the whole posting cycle from beginning to end.
This discovery phase of our Valuing Forces Families Overseas project (VFFO) will provide an up-to-date understanding of what families go through. And it means an opportunity for you to share your experiences so other families going overseas can benefit.
It’s hoped the work will find the hidden need within the Forces community and pinpoint where support is most needed.
AFF Head of Policy Rachel Smith said the research would give families an opportunity to be an important part of shaping the future overseas assignment experience.
“The Families Federations hope that the recommendations that this work provides will help improve the overseas experience for everyone across all three services.
“We encourage those who would like to get involved in the research to keep tuned to our communication channels, and we will let people know as soon as opportunities are available to have your say.”
Recommendations to Government
RAND Europe, a not-for-profit research organisation, will use several different methods to gather information, including reviewing existing data.
It plans to hold focus groups involving military families with experience of the overseas posting cycle and carry out interviews.
The research findings will inform a series of projects funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust over four years.
And it will result in a report providing recommendations to the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, MOD and Government to consider when deciding policy for Armed Forces families overseas.
The Families Federations have already started work on a tri-Service digital information portal. This will offer information covering planning, arrival in an overseas location, re-integration back in the UK and onward posting.
PUBLISHED 18 MARCH 2026