The British armed forces are vital assets to national safety, security and infrastructure, with well over 150,000 personnel to their name. Many find serving their country in the military to be a distinct privilege, and an opportunity to become the best one can be. But military careers are not guaranteed permanent, and, for one reason or another, personnel may need to consider what life after service looks like.
This can be particularly difficult for those honourably discharged on account of injury – and especially so where such injuries were preventable. While civil claims with representation from military solicitors may provide some vital financial relief, it is still important for ex-personnel to consider their employment future for their own benefit. But what can an ex-serviceperson do after the military?
Law Enforcement or Security
The natural progression for the ex-military serviceperson, particularly if having experienced active duty, would be in a different form of active duty with a law enforcement or private security agency. Many of the direct skills learned in the course of military service are directly transferable, such as experience with firearms or close-quarters combat (CQC).
There are also soft skills learned in military service which lend themselves well to a fresh career in security or policing. Problem-solving is one such skill, alongside discipline and people skills. Police work is about de-escalation, and management of difficult situations in civilian areas as a military spokesperson can be vital experience.
Healthcare
Combat medics needn’t leave their direct medical education and experience behind, either. Just as frontline combatants can find gainful employment utilising their hands-on skills in security and policing, so too can military paramedics find equivalent roles in healthcare.
EMT and paramedic roles are particularly suitable for those that have actively toured, while medical doctors can find space in primary care facilities or even hospital wards. Outside of NHS and private facilities, ex-military medics might find ideal work with NGOs that provide disaster or warzone relief.
IT and Cyber
Finally, military service enables many operatives to specialise within certain areas of technology or engineering. This can enable some servicepeople to find gainful employment in the upper echelons of the construction or civil engineering industry, but for those well-versed in cutting-edge warzone technologies or data analysis, a career in IT could be highly engaging.
Whether reconnaissance operatives or communications experts, hands-on experience in the field with difficult hardware and software systems can be an excellent primer for managing complex systems for private companies. This is especially true for those with experience in IT security and encryption.