What was your background in the Armed Forces?
I joined the Parachute Regiment for a challenge and an adventure. Upon passing my basic training and parachute course, I was posted to the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment (SFSG) and into a mature role with a high operational tempo. During my time there I deployed on multiple operational tours including overseas exercises, multi-agency and multinational operations. All of which have given me a wide skill set and the ability to work with others from a wide spectrum of the community. I now work part-time in the army reserve as a member of 4th Battalion Parachute Regiment where I am on high readiness to deploy, as well as training new recruits from civilians to the standard required of soldiers deploying with the regular Battalions.
How did the skills and values that you gained during your time in the Armed Forces, as well as the challenges you came up against, help you to carve your current career?
I use initiative, teamwork, organisation, critical thinking and flexibility to be able to confidently make decisions, and where the need requires, find a solution to a problem that may require some ‘outside of the box’ thinking. Having dealt with issues in complex and high-risk environments has also given me great tools to be able to use in high pressure environments.
What was the biggest culture shock or adjustment you experienced when moving from the Armed Forces to the corporate environment?
A bit of an in joke for this answer - but getting treated like an adult can be a bit of a shock.
What aspects of your current role most closely align with your military experience?
Surprisingly quite a lot. As an example, the principles of defence, defending a platoon harbour, or a special forces base, employs the same principles and thinking as defending a network.
What would you advise to someone who is looking to seek employment post a military career?
Decide on what it is you enjoy and can do as a job post military and engage with everyone you can from the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) and charities to organisations that can help with training and qualifications, for example TechVets if you’re looking for a career in cyber. Reach out to people that have already gone through the process and transitioned so you can learn what worked well and not so well for them. Research the companies that you want to work with (reconnaissance), you might find some are members of the Armed Forces Covenant or have a clear policy for employment of veterans like Methods, and you can give yourself the best possible chance of landing the new career that you want.