Harry Dean, managing director of Gemini Forces, said that the conflict in Afghanistan has raised the profile and the image of service leavers, and highlighted what they have to offer employers.

“Service leavers have a wide range of skills that are easily transferable across to civilian life, in particular management skills,” said Dean. “Demand is quite high because employers know what they’re going to get.”

Around 24,000 service leavers leave the UK’s armed forces each year. Dean said demand was particularly strong in the Middle East. And not just for security roles, but for aviation and logistics too. “Very often when I place a service leaver, the employer will say ’let’s have another of those’.”

Gemini Forces and Drivers Direct are holding a job fair for service leaves on 4 March in Aldershot. Among employers due to attend are BAE Systems, BSM, Airbus and Hampshire Police.