Computing and Information Technology - Case Studies

Howard Staines

In November 2003, aged 43 and after 24 years as a musician in the Royal Marines Band Service, Colour Sergeant Howard Staines left the Service with a First Class (Honours) Bachelor of Music degree and tours of duty all over the UK and on HMS Britannia. ‘The time had come for me to take control of my life; and for me to make the decisions in regard to where when and how I worked. My Service career was a learning process, and I have continued this into civilian life. You can never know everything but as long as you are prepared and willing to learn, you will develop your skills and succeed.’

He had experience of general computer-based training, and spent his resettlement time on a seven-week, Job Guarantee Course with JBC Training Limited (www.jbc.co.uk), which was ‘excellent and delivered in a professionally competent manner.’ Following guided use of job search websites, this led to an appointment as a 2nd/3rd line desktop/server support engineer for an MoD department. Engaged on contract, Staines now works on secure sites in a Microsoft environment. Tasks include the rebuilding of servers and PCs, trouble-shooting network issues and assigned calls.

‘I enjoy working within a military environment and feel part of the team. I now support people in military uniform whilst I myself am dressed in civilian clothes. If I do a good job I get recommendations and regular employment. I can earn twice as much as in the Royal Marines.’

Published June 07

Andy Saunders

Staff Sergeant Andy Saunders left the Royal Signals in 2002 after 22 years as a systems technician. Aged 44, he had served all over the world with operational tours in the Gulf and former Yugoslavia. He now rates ‘discipline, self-assurance, ability to work in adverse conditions, willingness to take on responsibility, working to fixed timeframes, and logical problem solving as skills the leaving soldier can use to his/her advantage.’

Formal training included Microsoft NT4 and Exchange 5.5 courses, with resettlement including a Career Transition Workshop and a ‘very well run and immensely useful MCSE package provided by 2KO in Cape Town’.

Living in Germany, Saunders ‘applied to St Clemens Hospital in Geldern for the position of system administrator and was offered the job after two interviews in German’. Now head of EDV-IT at the hospital, he manages a three-man IT department and network consisting of two Oracle databases, 10 servers and 200 PCs. He reports to the hospital director and is responsible for the security and integrity of patient data – very highly protected under German data protection laws.

‘It is quite frustrating when projects and some tasks take many times longer [than in the Services] to organise. Political correctness and tight financial constraints are something it takes a while to get used to.’ Despite promotion to department head, his salary is still 10 to 15 per cent less than it was in the RAF.

Publised February 07

Ian Richardson

After 30 years in the RAF as an engineer, Chief Technician Ian Richardson's engagement came to an end in 2004. Service in England, Scotland and Belize, with the award of the South Atlantic Medal and Rosette, had advanced his 'understanding of people and working with other organisations.' His Career Transition Workshop followed a myriad of 'civilian IT courses', and he then studied with Learning IT to become qualified in CompTIA A+ and MCP (Windows 2000).

He arranged a civilian attachment in Stirling, and started his first job in MoD IT technology. 'I had created a local employment requirement several years previously, and I now part own and work in a small printing firm.' His new business in the Shetland Islands has been operating for a year, and offers colour and lithographic printing. 'We also offer a small local PC repair service. I prepare artwork for sending to the print machines, coordinate company planning and administration, and repair PCs.' He very much likes the challenge of the business, but dislikes trying to balance the books.

Out of six staff, three are ex-service and two are ex-NAAFI, so there is only one civilian. The major differences between his service career and his new work that Richardson experiences are lack of security and having to worry about money. He reports a 'significant' difference in salary.

Publised March 08

Oliver Broughton

Now aged 32, ex-Lance Corporal Oliver Broughton left the Adjutant General’s Corps in 1998 after a six-year career specialising in pay and personnel. He believes that his ‘accountancy background has stood me in good stead, I was using computers and left the Army at the right time for me.’ He held an RSA Accountancy qualification before attending a ‘very useful’ Career Transition Workshop followed by ‘well run’ A+ certification, and Novell training with Amraf.

‘One of the pieces of resettlement advice I was given was to aim as high as you can in the commercial world. Find the field that you would like to work in and the best companies in that field, and try to get an interview. I decided on Enterprise Computing and managed to secure an interview. The rest was down to luck and enthusiasm as I managed to secure a job with SAP UK; a business solutions provider.’

Broughton is now managing director of KeyFields Limited, another provider of IT services, responsible for ‘securing the working lives of staff whilst maintaining the company’s market position, driving forward new business and managing the associated risks.’ He enjoys ‘the freedom to target any area of business,’ but dislikes ‘the volume of business administration.’ He likens the military process to some ‘civilian work practices especially the various supply and demand roles,’ and enjoys a significant salary hike although he points out that this is not the case for everybody.

Publised June 08