Former members of the armed forces who are sent to prison will be given more support, the Ministry of Justice says.
From January, all new prisoners will be asked if they have been in the forces so ex-service personnel can be given specific rehabilitation programmes.
The move is among measures following a review into how the criminal justice system deals with veterans.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said a "huge debt of gratitude" was owed to those who had served their country.
'Tailored approach'The government said the measures would identify and support veterans when they enter and leave prison, and give them a better chance of rehabilitation.
Prisons will be given new guidance about helping former servicemen and women while they are serving their sentence.
The review by Conservative MP Stephen Phillips QC was published as part of the government's Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the relationship between the UK and its military.
Mr Grayling said: "Most ex-service personnel have successful civilian lives and do not enter the criminal justice system - but I am determined to help the minority who have committed an offence turn their lives around.
"Society owes a huge debt of gratitude to those who have served their country, which is why our commitment to support them and their families is enshrined in the Armed Forces Covenant.
"We will identify veterans at the earliest opportunity, so that we can take a more tailored approach to help them turn away from crime. This support will extend to offenders' families, who also feel the sacrifices made by our service men and women."
Question not askedMr Phillips' report found that veterans were less likely to enter the criminal justice system than other people, but more detail was needed on how many were going to prison.
"We were reassured to find that if you have served in the armed forces, you are actually less likely to find yourself on the wrong side of the law," he said.
"But we cannot lose sight of the needs of the minority of veterans who do end up in the criminal justice system.
"That's why it is vital for them, their families, and our communities that more is done to look at who they are and how we can best support them."
He said the system was failing to identify far too many veterans because either the question was not asked or they were reluctant to give such information.
Shadow justice secretary Sadiq Khan welcomed the report's recommendations.
He said: "We have been campaigning on this important issue for some time now and it is about time the government did more than pay lip service to the needs of veterans.
"We owe a debt of gratitude to former members of our armed services. Most go on to have constructive lives after leaving the armed services but some can drift into a life of crime and we need to do more to prevent this."
Prof Neil Greenberg, of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the report was a "most welcome document" and it seemed likely the risk of veterans reoffending "will be much reduced".
Have you, or someone you know, been affected by the issues raised in this report? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist
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