DAF and the Armed Forces Covenant
Supporting members of the Armed Forces
DAF is proud to have been awarded Silver status under the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme in 2025. This achievement reflects our continued commitment to supporting members of the Armed Forces community and recognising the significant skills, experience, and values they bring to the civilian workforce.
The Armed Forces Covenant is a national promise and commitment that serving or former members of the UK Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect, facing no disadvantage compared to other citizens, with special consideration for the injured or bereaved. It's a pledge by society, businesses, and public services to ensure they aren't disadvantaged in accessing services or opportunities because of their military service, recognizing their unique sacrifices.
Our Commitment
DAF actively supports service leavers and veterans by creating pathways into sustainable civilian careers. In 2026, we will attend seven Armed Forces careers fairs, encouraging service leavers to consider DAF as an employer and enabling us to connect highly skilled individuals with opportunities across our nationwide network.
Service leavers bring exceptional technical capability, discipline, adaptability, and loyalty—qualities that align strongly with DAF’s values. With appropriate mentoring and support, they are well placed to transition successfully and build long-term careers within our organisation.
Our Pledges
DAF recognises the vital contribution made by Service personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets, and military families to our organisation, our communities, and the nation. In line with the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, we commit to the following:
- Promoting the Armed Forces:
Promoting DAF as an Armed Forces–friendly organisation to employees, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the wider public.
- Employment Support for the Armed Forces Community:
Supporting reservists, including providing additional paid leave for training and deployment (for example, our DAFaid Manager, an Army Reservist, is entitled to two weeks’ additional paid leave).
Supporting veterans seeking employment by attending Armed Forces careers fairs and ensuring all expressions of interest are followed through.
Supporting Armed Forces employees through flexible and remote working solutions where appropriate.
Promoting employment and transition schemes such as ‘A Great Place to Work’ and ‘Step into Health’.
Offering insight days to older cadets considering apprenticeships and further education opportunities. - Communications, Engagement, and Outreach:
Providing Armed Forces awareness training for employees.
Promoting the Armed Forces Covenant through our communications and marketing, including use of the Covenant logo.
Maintaining a dedicated Armed Forces page on our website, including a testimonial video from Liam Ward, a former member of the Armed Forces and now Service Manager at Ford & Slater Coventry.
Supporting Armed Forces-related events, including careers fairs, the Poppy Appeal, and Remembrance activities. - Education:
Promoting training, development, and higher education opportunities for service leavers, veterans, and their families.
- Civic Responsibilities:
Actively supporting remembrance and ceremonial activities. For example, our Customer Service Director participates in the annual march past the Cenotaph.
- Additional Commitments:
DAF Trucks actively promotes and attends trade fairs to raise awareness of the commercial vehicle industry and the career opportunities it offers to service leavers.
Wellbeing and Support Partnerships
DAF is proud to support the Armed Forces community and to promote access to trusted wellbeing organisations, including:
Combat Stress
Combat Stress provides specialist clinical treatment and support for veterans from the British Armed Forces, focusing on PTSD, Complex PTSD, and moral injury. As the UK’s leading veterans’ mental health charity, their work is often life-changing and life-saving.
Op COURAGE – Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service
Op COURAGE is an NHS specialist mental health service designed to support serving personnel approaching transition, reservists, veterans, and their families.
Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA)
The Office for Veterans’ Affairs leads the UK Government’s efforts to ensure veterans receive the respect, recognition, and support they deserve as a result of their service.
The Forcer Protocol
The Forcer Protocol is a life-saving preventative measure for UK veterans and serving personnel, including reservists. Born from lived experience and built with UK forces and veterans in mind, the Forcer Protocol is rolling out nationwide.
