What if your first job after the military isn't the right one?

Many service leavers put enormous pressure on themselves to find the perfect civilian role straight away. In reality, building a successful post-service career is often a journey of exploring opportunities, learning new skills and being willing to change direction when the right opportunity comes along.

In this episode of From Combat Boots to Business Suits, Jane Burns speaks with Christian Jetuah, who shares his experience of navigating civilian employment and the importance of staying open to new opportunities throughout your career.

Christian explains why your first civilian role is unlikely to be your last and offers practical advice on building confidence, recognising opportunities and making career decisions that align with your long-term goals.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're preparing to leave the Armed Forces, searching for your first civilian role, or considering your next career move, this episode offers valuable insight into building a successful career beyond military service.

Keywords: military transition, service leavers, veteran employment, life after the military, civilian careers, career change, professional development, veteran careers, military skills, jobs for veterans, resettlement, career progression.

Thinking about a career in finance after leaving the Armed Forces?

The finance sector remains one of the most popular industries for service leavers, with many banks and financial organisations actively recruiting veterans and recognising the value of military skills.

In this episode of From Combat Boots to Business Suits, Jane Burns speaks with Ken Neilson about his transition from military service into the finance sector. Ken shares insights into his civilian career journey, the opportunities available to veterans, and why he believes financial services can offer an excellent work-life balance after leaving the Forces.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Whether you're preparing to leave the military, exploring your next career move, or looking for inspiration from veterans who have successfully transitioned, this episode offers practical advice and real-world experience.

Looking for a career in renewable energy after military service?

In this episode of From Combat Boots to Business Suits, we speak with Tom Ogilvy about transitioning from the Armed Forces into Scotland's growing renewable energy sector.

We discuss:

Whether you're preparing to leave the military, exploring new career options or supporting veterans into employment, this episode provides practical insights into one of Scotland's fastest-growing industries.

#Veterans #MilitaryTransition #RenewableEnergy #ServiceLeavers #VeteranEmployment #ScotlandJobs

What do hiring managers really think when they read a veteran's CV?

In this episode of From Combat Boots to Business Suits, Jane Burns sits down with Tracy Thomson, a recruitment expert who has spent nearly two decades hiring ex-military candidates and helping veterans navigate the civilian job market.

Recorded in the stunning Castle Room at Standard Life House, this conversation provides an invaluable insider's perspective on the recruitment process, from submitting that first application through to negotiating a job offer with confidence.

Drawing on years of experience working with service leavers and employers, Tracy shares practical advice on how veterans can stand out in a competitive job market and avoid common mistakes that can hinder a successful transition.

Whether you're preparing to leave the Armed Forces, actively job hunting, or looking to progress your civilian career, this episode offers practical guidance from someone who has successfully recruited veterans for nearly 20 years.

Keywords: hiring veterans, military transition, service leavers, veteran employment, civilian careers, CV advice, interview preparation, salary negotiation, recruitment, Armed Forces careers, military skills, ex-military recruitment, veteran job search.

Not sure where to start your civilian job search?

Beginning the transition from military service to civilian employment can feel overwhelming. With so many options, conflicting advice and unfamiliar processes, knowing where to start is often the biggest challenge.

In this episode of From Combat Boots to Business Suits, Jane Burns sits down with George Mackey, who takes listeners right back to resettlement basics and shares his practical framework for launching a successful job search.

Drawing on his own transition experience and lessons learned along the way, George introduces his O.N.W.A.R.D.S. approach—a simple seven-step guide designed to help service leavers build confidence, focus their efforts and move forward with purpose.

Whether you're months from leaving the Armed Forces or have recently begun your transition journey, this episode provides practical advice to help you take the next step towards meaningful civilian employment.

Keywords: service leavers, military transition, resettlement, civilian job search, veteran employment, careers after the military, Armed Forces careers, military skills, career planning, veteran careers, employment support, life after service.

Welcome to From Combat Boots to Business Suits, the podcast helping service leavers and veterans navigate life after the military.

In this introductory episode, host Jane Burns provides a preview of what's to come in the first season of the Officers' Association Scotland podcast.

From career transition and civilian employment to personal development and finding purpose beyond military service, this series features conversations with veterans, employers and industry experts who share practical advice, lived experience and lessons learned from their own transition journeys.

Throughout the season, listeners can expect:

Whether you're preparing to leave the Armed Forces, recently entered civilian life, or supporting veterans on their transition journey, From Combat Boots to Business Suits is designed to help you build a successful and fulfilling future beyond service.

Keywords: military transition, service leavers, veteran employment, life after the military, Armed Forces careers, civilian careers, resettlement, veteran success stories, military skills, careers after service, Scottish veterans.

Officers' Association Scotland - Home