Becoming a ‘civvy’

A great deal of rubbish has been written about Service people making the move into civilian life. Stereotyped images of gangsters, thieves, rapists and worse using their military skills to crack safes, and act as mercenaries or contract killers, tell us they will inevitably suffer from psychological problems. They are unable to cope without being ‘told what to do’ and having their every action dictated to them by a superior. They will fail in civilian life.

This gross exaggeration reinforces the prejudices of people with little or no experience of the Forces, while Service people dismiss it as rubbish. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle, with the vast majority of Service leavers adapting quickly to a new environment, some finding a fulfilment they never had before and a few unhappy at what they have had to leave behind. They all have new truths to recognise, new attitudes to learn and new skills to acquire, but the process is most certainly possible – and even easy for anyone who recognises that it requires change.

The reality is that the world of operations, enemies, friendly forces, refugees, flanks and peace enforcement is very different to that of sales, profit, suppliers, VAT, industrial tribunals and employment legislation. The one may appear glamorous, exciting and worthy, but it is the other that is more familiar to civilians, and so Service leavers must be prepared to adjust their attitudes to its requirements.

Civilians are comfortable with the word ‘profit’, which pays for housing, meals, cars and holidays. Provided it is gained honestly, the more the merrier! Profits also pay for schools, roads, benefits, hospitals, and … defence! Another dirty word for many Service people is ‘sales’. But everyone is involved in selling – the whole time. Some people sell, but it is an activity that also involves casual conversations over a glass of beer and the wearing of a shirt with a logo just as much as the knock on the door or the persuasive phone call.

Job-finding for the first time for people who have hitherto been posted can be a culture shock. For some, it is a long-awaited opportunity to make decisions for themselves. Many of the skills involved can be learnt on courses, but Service leavers often have to make hard decisions about their lives and their futures in a competitive and sometimes uninviting marketplace.

They will be without the safety net provided by the Forces. And the term ‘safety net’ simply describes some very generous measures that Service people get as part of their employment. Things like relative protection from business cessation and office closure, index-linked pensions, considerable time off, subsidised sport and holidays, a relatively cheap and high-quality social life, and so on.

They will also lose job security, and this can be a big loss. Service people who may not be terribly good but who do nothing wrong will probably continue to be employed if not promoted any further. Less than fully effective civilians may well be sacked because employers simply cannot afford to keep them on.

Management styles and interpersonal skills will probably have to change. The direct command is often replaced by the oblique suggestion. Discussion, negotiation and consent take over from estimates, plans and orders. The words ‘please’, ‘thank you’ and ‘sorry’ may be heard in the workplace, while women, gay people and cultural diversity are present in every workforce.

The civilian world can be a tough environment, with some people who react well to enemy fire feeling a little aimless and lost when they encounter it. Service leavers need to accept this and be ready for the experience. Taking full advantage of all the resettlement opportunities available, even if they have a job waiting for them, is strongly advised to make this transition as easy as possible.

One of these opportunities is profiled in this month’s magazine. The List has been going for several years since its foundation as a Royal Artillery regimental networking organisation. It now encompasses employers from many sectors of the commercial, charitable and public-sector worlds, and Service leavers from every cap badge and uniform colour.

Although the City of London can be seen as a likely destination for well-connected officers, our feature exposes the incredible number of jobs that it offers in such areas as ICT, security, facilities management and catering. Aviation security is also big business and, as our article explains, a large proportion of jobs in the aviation industry are in the security field. With terrorists, criminals, stalkers and maniacs out on the streets, close protection too, is often no longer a luxury or just a must-have accessory for rich celebrities.

The country is crying out for people with building trades, and current shortages will only get worse as major projects like the London Olympics open, while an ageing workforce opts for retirement. We also explore management and supervision outside the Armed Forces and ways in which knowledge, skills and experience can be exported to a second career. We wish you happy new year reading!