Friday July 23, 2010 at 3:18pm
I have been on termination leave for nearly 2 weeks now, 15 days and I shall be Mr Civilian. My last week was fantastic, free and I shall never forget it, another bag of memories to add to those gained over the last 20 odd years.
I have started working for a communications company, which offered me a job after I completed a 4-week work placement with them. They have just asked me to help run a project in South Africa for 12 months, starting in November. This means a big pay rise and a chance to see a country I have never been too. Any advice on working in South Africa would be very much appreciated by anyone reading this?
To say I am over the moon is an understatement! I thought once I left the forces all adventure would be over. I thought as a civvy I would lead a normal mundane working life and the best days of my working life were behind me. I know I have landed on my feet with this one and not everyone is this lucky. This is going to create a number of positions, I just hope I can introduce a couple of ex-military personnel and help secure them jobs. So watch the Gemini Forces job boards around October time for telecomm jobs.
Unfortunately all those due to leave the forces will not be as lucky as me. Many Service leavers will be faced with rejection and the prospect of months of unemployment and those with a pension will not get any help. A number of friends with families can’t even get on council lists for housing and private renting can be expensive.
The point is; those of us who land on our feet and are in a position to help those Service Leavers who not so lucky, we need to network and point them in the direction of a job. Some just need a break not a hand out; all they want is a chance to show their worth. I got the help I needed through a networking contact and I hope I do the same in October.