“From as early as I can remember, all I had ever wanted to be was a soldier, an ambition I realised in mid-2008; after completing A-Levels and college courses. I turned down the opportunity to join the Royal Air Force as a commissioned officer in more ‘technical trades’ and joined the rank-and-file within the RAF’s Regiment, the air forces infantry unit. A little more than six months later and I was on my first tour of Afghanistan”.

“It didn’t take me long to want to excel and move into other areas. I trained with signals, the U.K and U.S Marines before finally settling on my chosen soldiering path of becoming a Sniper. This ambition I also achieved after several months training and grueling tests. Within the Sniper Section of my assigned squadron, I eventually rose to second in command as I become a non-commissioned officer, whilst also heading up the squadrons Training Cell, a dual role for many years.  Unfortunately, my body could not keep up with the demands the role entailed, and I left the RAF in early 2014 due to injuries that did not allow me to perform my role ‘safely’, a statement I argued against strongly at the time which I now find ironic given my new profession”.

“I did not fall directly into a H&S role when leaving the military.  As stated, being a soldier was all I had ever wanted.  I had achieved it, and I was admittedly a bit lost. I cannot speak for the careers transition partnership and military support now, but when I left, I was told that, as an infantryman, I was basically good to become “A bouncer or a Bailiff”. Even my colleagues who had left the military before me had gone into private security off the coast of Africa, a path I very nearly also took. None of these appealed to me.  But regardless, I ended up becoming a bailiff, a job I unwillingly endured for over two and a half years before I found my calling. Qualifications and experience aside, I had allowed others who knew nothing about me to tell me what I was good for based on my military trade alone”.

Many ex-servicemen find their way into the SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment, Quality) profession.  But it was not a path that was obvious to me until it was pointed out by family in the construction industry as something I might be suitable for.  This made the difference as my family knew the real me, not just the rank and uniform. But what did I know about Health and Safety? As it turned out plenty. I had years of experience with planning and preparing transport routes, loading and delivery for ammunition and explosives, was ADR trained, Category C+E trained, FLT trained, had ran several training exercises, cells and shooting ranges, to name but a few roles that required transferable skills, even if they were not immediately obvious. I also had the discipline, organisation and commitment to succeed that is common, if not expected, with veterans. I just needed to learn the specifics of how to apply what I already knew to the world of civilian business”.

“So, my development journey began whilst I was still employed as a bailiff by undertaking a NEBOSH qualification in 2016 and has not stopped as I write this in 2023. I have branched out into the parallel worlds of Quality and Environmental management alongside H&S and undertaken several SHEQ and leadership/management related courses since that initial step. I have moved from working for a small consultancy, where I went from trainee to senior consultant with my own small team, to the manager of the SHEQ department at a national electrical contracting company. I am a Chartered Member of IOSH, Practitioner within the CQI and member of IEMA. I won’t lie that it hasn’t been a big effort, one that I don’t think I would have achieved were it not for the drive and determination that the military installed in me”.

“My military career may seem fairly standard to anyone who has also served or is serving. I have learned since leaving the military though, that what we might consider ‘normal’ to service members leaves experience and ability to overcome adversity that many without military service cannot comprehend.  My advice to people leaving the military is to not allow others who do not know you tell you what your limitations are. There are so many skills veterans have that are rare in civilian life, and transferable skills that allow for quick transitions into your chosen field If you work hard towards developing yourself in your chosen area”.

“I am no longer involved in the military anymore due to my injury having a lasting effect and time constraints from a young family.  But if I was, I would certainly be recommending a H&S, Environmental, Quality, or joint role from my own experience.”  

James Ross, SHEQ Manager, Actemium UK