'You train hard in the military but it doesn't teach you how to adapt Ito civilian life'

Ex-Marine minister urges veterans struggling to reach out for help

- CHRIS HUGHES

MINISTER for Veterans AI Carns has revealed how he struggled to adapt to civilian life after a career in the military.

And he appealed to any others like him finding life difficult over the festive and New Year break to ask former comrades, family members and ex-military charities for help.

The former Royal Marines colonel and war veteran opened up while visiting a subsidised housing complex in Surrey, where he met fellow ex-military and their families.

Mr Carns, 44, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak, spoke to them in their homes at what can be a tough time of year for many.

He said: "It's not easy to make the transition from the military, where you are not trained how to be a civilian. But as you can see here a housing organisation has come along, picked them up and put a roof over their heads."

Asked if he has faced difficulty since he left the marines, Mr Carns admitted: "Oh, yes. You train hard in the military but it does not teach you how to make that transition into civilian life.

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