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My Experience of Leaving the Military
by Charly M - March 2024
Ten years serving in the Army was an experience that often required significant personal sacrifice but was also highly fulfilling. There is a unique camaraderie, connection and environment when working within the military. Although on the flip side, being within the military gives individuals a united sense of identity and purpose which can be hard to replicate out in the ‘real’ world of civilian street.
Within my years of service; I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, lived overseas, worked within a training environment and did particular roles alongside the special forces and RAF. No posting or job role was the same and was always specific to the higher level strategic planning of the organisation. All of which can then be tricky to explain to nonmilitary individuals within the limited scope of a CV.
Personally, I initially left and ran my own personal training business. Understanding self-employment and the management of a small business was a steep but exciting learning curve. I found the challenge of running my own business incredibly time consuming, like you could never really switch off from it but it was also incredibly rewarding as all results and client impact was down to my own self-motivation and effort. However, I also at times found it quite lonely as I struggled to find that ‘team ethos’ around me for support and ideas which I had been used to in the military. I did discover a plethora of other small business owners with which to network and work alongside for different aspects of information and experience and this helped me with this change from the military to working more on my own.
Unfortunately after several years of the running the business, I had to stop due to health issues which was hard to accept but the right decision for what I needed to focus on in that time in my life. Once in a better position with my health I was then fortunate enough to be able to fall back onto my military experience to gain a more sedentary based role within a private organisation (Computer Network Defence Ltd).
One key aspect for me being able to gain this new role was the military network and having connections with so many different people both serving and not serving. This network gave me valuable knowledge and information on opportunities that I may not have otherwise had access to. Everyone I connected with and spoke to had all lived through that same resettlement process and I found it useful to take on board their experience, thoughts and network to others within the civilian world.
The decision to join Computer Network Defence Ltd was in part due to the fact that it had a proportion of veterans working within it and I found that common connection and camaraderie and a feeling of being part of something which I understood and felt comfortable within. I guess in many ways, it had a very familiar feel to the environment of the military within the work force and so it felt an easier and safer environment for me to work within especially with ongoing health issues. A good employer with that same positive team ethos feel was a good opportunity for me to be a part of.
The other key thing that I have found useful in my transition (and many veterans also find); is a sense of purpose and fulfilment by giving back to the community. I would recommend to consider volunteering with organisations that either support veterans or other causes that there is a passion for. Volunteering can provide valuable networking opportunities, help develop new skills, and improve well-being.
I joined my local Riding for the Disabled Association as I am a passionate equine enthusiast. Not only did this organisation give me the chance to be around horses, it gave me a network of likeminded people who wanted to help others via the use of horses and show participants what they can achieve rather than focus on what they cannot. Through this organisation I have found friendship, support, a community, a sense of purpose and an opportunity to give back. It has also given me structure within my life whilst working through and understanding writing CV’s and applying for jobs. Plus the network of individuals has also opened up options for jobs and roles for myself and others.
My final thought is whilst there are many similarities of experience that veterans find when leaving the military, it is also a very personal journey for the individual going through it. We are all driven by different motivations and will be at a different cross roads of our lives when transitioning and it is a real opportunity to discover what variety of roles and experiences that are available when entering the civilian world. This is just the next exciting chapter of your story. Enjoy it.
Author of the blog Charly McNelis served 10 years within the Royal Corps of Signals deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan and now works within Cyber Security for Computer Network Defence Ltd and has continued with her passion for horses after her military career.