Join Joe as he interviews Danny Keating, a former Navy serviceman about his journey before, during, and after the military. Danny shares his upbringing in North London and his initial lack of interest in joining the military. However, after a conversation with his father and a visit to the career centre, he decided to join the submarine service. He discusses the challenges and lessons he learned during his time on the submarine, including the importance of teamwork and the unique camaraderie among the crew. After leaving the military, he pursued a degree in food marketing but ultimately found his passion in IT sales. He emphasises the importance of building a network and finding mentors in the civilian world.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The importance of building a network and seeking out mentors or coaches for guidance and support.

• The need for service leavers to have a plan for their transition to civilian life and to understand the pathway to success in their chosen field.

• The value of reaching out to other veterans and service leavers for advice and insights.

• The potential challenges of adjusting to civilian life and the importance of taking the initiative to navigate those challenges.

• The significance of taking ownership of one's transition and actively seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth.

BEST MOMENTS

"I decided after seven years, it was probably time to step away." 

"I think all of us as service leavers should be giving back and helping veterans step into their next career roles."

"I think people underestimate that. It's quite easy to run a search in LinkedIn to find people."

"I think for me, the biggest sort of lessons I learned immediately was around that idea of teamwork, togetherness, ensuring that you are absolutely aligned to every potential crisis that possibly could happen." 

"I think it's vitally important to have some kind of plan of what you want to do next and to understand what the pathway is to success there." 

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjoeoconnor/

https://www.facebook.com/The1Transformer

https://www.instagram.com/the1transformer/

HOST BIO

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.