In this captivating episode of the Veterans to Success podcast Joe has a heart-to-heart with Brian MacRitchie, a former submariner in the Royal Navy. Brian's life story takes us on a whirlwind adventure, from his restless teenage years to his bold decision to join the Navy straight out of school.

You'll hear all about Brian's training days at HMS Raleigh and HMS Collingwood, where he mastered electrical engineering and leadership skills. He doesn't hold back when sharing the thrilling and nerve-wracking moments from his submariner days, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, professionalism, and staying calm under pressure.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Brian MacRitchie joined the military straight out of school, as he wanted to pursue a career as an engineer and didn't have other options like going to university.

2. Brian's upbringing was strict, and he had low self-esteem as a teenager. Joining the military provided him with an opportunity to escape his home life and gain an education.

3. The military, particularly the submarine service, instilled in Brian a strong sense of teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. These skills have been valuable in his civilian career.

4. Being a submariner comes with its own set of challenges and risks, including long periods at sea, potential technical failures, and the need for quick decision-making in emergency situations.

5. Brian emphasizes the importance of open communication and mental health support within the military and civilian sectors. He believes that talking about problems and seeking help is crucial for personal well-being and professional success.

BEST MOMENTS

1. "I worked my ass off in the military and when I came out I find that I read a lot of CVs and we'll probably come to that later and a lot of military guys are absolutely crap at selling themselves."

2. "I absolutely love the team ethos of being a submariner. Everybody was in it together. When you go see in a submarine, there is one mission and one mission only."

3. "I remember once, it was probably the first thing that's ever happened to me on a submarine, I thought, oh, these are quite safe, you know. And I remember we had to rack our scram, but we were ballasted wrong."

4. "And I've gone to sea before, and we've had the reactors do a thing called a scram, and suddenly the ballast is all wrong and the submarine starts going down quickly."

5. "I've had a couple of them, you know, and everybody just gets on with it. And it's where you just bring in the immediate action drill, because as we've been talking, I've been thinking about immediate action drill for nuclear biological warfare."

ABOUT THE HOST

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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 finalizing 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.