In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, James sits down with John Stephenson, a 22-year Royal Signals veteran and founder of the Forces Transition Group (FTG).

John speaks candidly about:

1. Leaving as a Regimental Sergeant Major
2. Feeling like “something” in service… and “nothing” the day after
3. Two years of identity loss and frustration
4. Toxic workplaces in civvy street
5. Why transition is broken — and how mindset is the real issue

This conversation goes beyond CV writing and job fairs. It’s about identity, ownership, responsibility and preparation.

If you are still serving, thinking about leaving, or already out — this episode will challenge how you see your future.

Takeaways

1. You will leave one day — whether you plan for it or not. Most people don’t prepare early enough.
2. The military manages your career for you. Civvy street doesn’t. That shift in responsibility catches many people out.
3. Rejection in the civilian world feels personal because many serving personnel have never had to face it repeatedly before.
4. Identity loss is often the real challenge — not the job, not the salary, but the loss of status and belonging.
5. Mindset is the difference. Sleepwalkers wait for something to happen. Hunters go and create opportunity.
6. Transition support at the end of service is often too late. Preparation needs to start much earlier.
7. Civilian businesses don’t need to understand the military — service leavers need to understand business.
8. Education through service is one of the most powerful ways to prepare for life after uniform.

Sound Bites

1. “I felt like I was something in the military… and nothing the day I left.”
2. “We plan everything in the military — except leaving it.”
3. “The responsibility gets handed back to you — and most people aren’t ready.”
4. “Rejection is normal in business. It’s not normal in the military.”
5. “If you sleepwalk into your future, you’ll struggle.”
6. “Be a hunter.”
7. “It’s not the war that breaks most people — it’s not fitting into society.”
8. “The system hasn’t changed in 30 years.”
9. “You don’t know what business is — until you sit in front of it.”
10. “Education through service is the secret.”

Connect with Stephen:

Forces Transition Group

LinkedIn

#MilitaryTransition #Veterans #Leadership #Identity #GreatGunsPodcast