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Creating a Supportive Network: Lessons from a Veteran With Gary Westmoreland
Joe sits down with Gary Westmoreland, a veteran with 22 years of experience in the military. Gary talks to Joe about life before, during and after his military career focusing on the reasons he chose the military lifestyle and the impact of the many skills he learned and gained including the importance of teamwork and problem-solving. Gary also talks about the focus on education and the opportunities this presents even if you are planning a career in the military.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Gary's passion for joining the military was evident from a young age, and he pursued his goal despite other career options.
- The camaraderie and team building Gary experienced during basic training in the military had a lasting impact on the rest of his life.
- Gary's time in Iraq and Northern Ireland presented both challenges and memorable moments, highlighting the importance of teamwork and adaptability in difficult situations.
- The experience in Diego Garcia provided a unique opportunity to work with GCHQ and gain insight into a different aspect of defence.
- Overcoming initial difficulties in Wales, Gary's ability to problem-solve and create a fault-finding system demonstrated his resilience and commitment to his role.
BEST MOMENTS
"Basic's one of those things where you're not necessarily enjoying it at the time, but when you look back on it, you can't remember a single bad moment."
"It was a steep learning curve. And then when things went wrong out in the province, there were a few moments where, especially when you're out in a FOB away from Bastion and things start to go wrong, it can start to feel very real very quickly."
"When everything's up and running, we had our own chat group with all the other cabins. So we created a list of what to do, a proper idiot's guide of what to do when things go wrong, so that you're not just immediately flapping up to 50,000 when something goes wrong."
"It just became this bulletproof fault flowchart that we developed throughout the tour. And after, you know, when it's happened twice really, you're on top of it and something goes wrong and it just becomes second nature and there's no more panic."
ABOUT THE GUEST
Gary Westmoreland is a former military veteran with a 22-year career that spanned various roles and deployments. From his early desire to join the military, Gary pursued his passion and served in Iraq, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan, among other locations. With a background in communications and media, Gary utilised his skills as a Klansman technician, ensuring vital communication systems were operational in challenging environments. Throughout his career, Gary demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of camaraderie, making him a valuable asset to any team.
Linkedin profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-westmoreland-
64b424b9/details/experience/
ABOUT THE HOST
Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.
After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.
Joe's charity is currently finalising plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.
USEFUL LINKS
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View all episodes
By Joe O'ConnorJoe sits down with Gary Westmoreland, a veteran with 22 years of experience in the military. Gary talks to Joe about life before, during and after his military career focusing on the reasons he chose the military lifestyle and the impact of the many skills he learned and gained including the importance of teamwork and problem-solving. Gary also talks about the focus on education and the opportunities this presents even if you are planning a career in the military.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Gary's passion for joining the military was evident from a young age, and he pursued his goal despite other career options.
- The camaraderie and team building Gary experienced during basic training in the military had a lasting impact on the rest of his life.
- Gary's time in Iraq and Northern Ireland presented both challenges and memorable moments, highlighting the importance of teamwork and adaptability in difficult situations.
- The experience in Diego Garcia provided a unique opportunity to work with GCHQ and gain insight into a different aspect of defence.
- Overcoming initial difficulties in Wales, Gary's ability to problem-solve and create a fault-finding system demonstrated his resilience and commitment to his role.
BEST MOMENTS
"Basic's one of those things where you're not necessarily enjoying it at the time, but when you look back on it, you can't remember a single bad moment."
"It was a steep learning curve. And then when things went wrong out in the province, there were a few moments where, especially when you're out in a FOB away from Bastion and things start to go wrong, it can start to feel very real very quickly."
"When everything's up and running, we had our own chat group with all the other cabins. So we created a list of what to do, a proper idiot's guide of what to do when things go wrong, so that you're not just immediately flapping up to 50,000 when something goes wrong."
"It just became this bulletproof fault flowchart that we developed throughout the tour. And after, you know, when it's happened twice really, you're on top of it and something goes wrong and it just becomes second nature and there's no more panic."
ABOUT THE GUEST
Gary Westmoreland is a former military veteran with a 22-year career that spanned various roles and deployments. From his early desire to join the military, Gary pursued his passion and served in Iraq, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan, among other locations. With a background in communications and media, Gary utilised his skills as a Klansman technician, ensuring vital communication systems were operational in challenging environments. Throughout his career, Gary demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of camaraderie, making him a valuable asset to any team.
Linkedin profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-westmoreland-
64b424b9/details/experience/
ABOUT THE HOST
Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.
After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.
Joe's charity is currently finalising plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.
USEFUL LINKS
LinkedIn
Facebook
Instagram