NAAFI Break

Nature or nurture? When it comes to resilience and adaptability, some people develop the traits early in life. If we all had an easy life there would be no need to be resilient?

Rach Wiliamson, is an RAF Veteran, who before joining had to shift her energies into a different pathway after her Olympic dream disappeared, joining the RAF to 'see what would happen'. 

Another setback, another layer of resilience and change required,  with retraining to a new trade due to a training injury early in her RAF career. we discuss the journey through career change, overcoming adversity and always bouncing back. 

The journey so far, is impressive to say the least:
RAF Representative Rugby, Invictus Games Gold Medallist, Invictus Team UK Captain, Help for Heroes Ambassador, Recover Support Officer Royal British Legion, Role Model.
Of all my guests, this is a fantastic insight into setting goals, moving forward and finding a new purpose.

Please like, comment, share to anyone with a Forces connection or who needs inspiration!

#Resilient #RoleModel #AdaptiveSports #BounceBack #RAF #InvictusGames #IAM

It seems like a milestone to reflect on and summarise what has been shared on the NAAFI Break podcast so far.
The original aim was to shine a light on the transition from the Military into a successful second career, this still remains the purpose. The guests and topics covered, have taken me to uncover some fantastic insights and life stories, that highlight the impact on the person, their families and showcase the incredible skills and traits our Service Leavers and Veterans have.

I also signpost new listeners to past episodes and themes that stand out, although every episode and guest has added valuable stories to the mix.

I have used this episode to pose some questions and thought provoking ideas, to you the listener. What I really want to get in return are your thoughts and reflection of your own situation and Transition journey. Please leave a comment or email me directly [email protected].

Please share to anyone with a Forces connection, globally,

#podcast #veteran #military #insights #livedexperience

The transition from the military to second career has given me a host of angles to explore through the podcast guests.  With the lived experience of our Veteran. as well as the impact on family NAAFI Break has highlighted the resilience, adaptable nature and resourcefulness of our Veteran community
Trevor Webster combined an RAF career with sporting achievement and took a punt on an overseas adventure that hasn't stopped yet. 
Now living in Japan he provides a great insight into how he approached his second career.

Please follow like and share to anyone with a Forces connection 

A share from my other podcast Changing Gear with JobOppO and my day job. This episode encapsulates the continued Service that we feel and why it’s important to the Veteran and Service Leavers Community.

Honest, raw and insightful Johnny Mercer is an great advocate for the Veterans and Service Leavers  cause.

Ellen Plumer, enjoyed career success, the highs and the rewards, but gave it up and went travelling. On returning to the Uk took a job in the 3rd Sector as a stop gap. Almost 20 years later she is Head of Employer Services and Partnerships at Ben Automotive Industry Charity and a Trustee of Scottys Little Soldiers the charity for bereaved military children and young people.

We chatted about the parallels between military skills and those needed in the 3rd Sector and the work as a Trustee for Scottys Little Soldiers, that we are both part of. 

Could your next role be in the 3rd Sector after the Military?

#GoodPeople

100 episodes after Andrew Rose, former RAF PTI and colleague appeared on the opening episode of the NAAFI Break podcast, episode 101 brings his son Tom Rose onto talk about facing the premature end to a budding professional football career.

The pathway to be a property and investment business is a squiggly one, but the resilience and willingness to make sacrifices is very similar to those leaving the Military.

Tom gives his memory of being a forces kid, moving, settling and being independent away from home, before his future career was abruptly ended.

His work with footballers and high net worth clients has some lessons for Service Leavers and Veterans when it comes to handling finances!

Some great lessons and advice for our Community.

A chance meeting, taking the rise out of each other within 60 seconds, it’s almost a sport, but in reality it’s the mutual respect between Veterans. So when I first met Paul Breen at the inaugural Berkeley Marathon UK, it was a typical Army to RAF conversation.

Here is an Army Veteran, Kings Royal Hussars, who has faced the challenges around transition which initially took him on a downward spiral. His marriage suffered and his own health and well-being too. However his Army career gave him the resilience to make changes and say to himself ‘ I got through that, I can get through this’

Resilience 
Adapatability
Willingness to get the job done
Can do attitude 

A great insight into the reality for many Veterans when they leave behind a whole being existence and start a new career.

Please comment and share to anyone with a Forces connection 

* Apologies that the sound quality is less than usual.

This week I speak to Military Spouses who formed a Team to take part in retracing the steps of the daring Special Forces WW2 mission immortalised in the film of the same name ‘Heroes of the Telemark’

Jen Macmillan, Alix Mackay and Joanna Young explain their own ‘Why’ for taking part, the experience and the legacy of being on the challenge.

Truly insightful, inspiring and a call to arms to all Military Spouses to keep your own identity.
https://www.forceswiveschallenge.org/heroes-of-telemark 
Please like, comment or share to anyone with a Forces connection.

#inspiration #identity #challenge #militaryspouse #team

When I started NAAFI Break, it was always to speak to the 'Above Average Joe's' (my definition)  who go about their business, achieve success and help others in the Military to Veteran transition. I am always drawn to the stories of those who have decided to 'Give Back' and what the difference is between those who move forward and upwards, versus those who struggle and become angry about their Military career,  due to a lack of progress or promotion. The attitudes and mindset shift is fascinating to me.

What is it that drives us to make changes and lead to a successful transition?

Will Stone brings, gritty, honest and energetic insight to the NAAFI Break.

Please comment, and share to anyone with a Forces connection

In this episode I peak to Roxanne Brind, RLC Army Veteran about joining a family, where the MIlitary Wives took on the role of surrogate mother to the young single soldiers on base in Germany and how that feeling of family was hard to find on leaving the Army. 
We discuss the changing of priorities and trying to settle her children in one area.

Roxanne articulates really well the challenges of recognising her own value in the next phase of her career.