It must be tough for men who leave the Army and the Army cocoon, and step outside the gate for the last time and into the cold grey Britain of the day. I can easily see how you could end up sleeping in the streets and it always sends a shudder down me when I see these poor buggers, around London in particular.
A lot of lads were good guys but spent their time in the forces, I mean they spent their money on wine, women and song and leave with little in a material sense. It happens. If you have no family or network at that point, and limited skills then you could be really sunk.
On thread, sorry I have to say I have met people in the military, I truly wonder how on earth they got by back in civvy street, and where they ended up working. Some of the pompous Naval officers I worked with at Yeovilton (and in particular FONAC/FONA for Christ's sake, remember that mob), God help any civvy business or organization that took them on, is all I can say.