The Merchant Navy, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and HM Coastguard - Case Studies

Alexis George

Staff Sergeant Alexis George served for 16 years in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps, before making a major career change nearly three years ago. Aged 35, the specialist Healthcare Assistant was medically discharged after operational tours in Kosovo and Iraq, and service in a number of hospitals. She finds that ‘most of my military training is relevant in my job, I am dealing with people on a daily basis, and need management skills.’ Qualifications gained in the military include Teaching and First Aid At Work, (FAAW).

For resettlement, she concentrated on sailing qualifications. At AllabroadSailingAcademy (‘extremely well run and useful’), she qualified as a FAAW Instructor/Assessor, also becoming an Offshore Yachtmaster and Cruising Instructor. George started working for the company in Gibralter as a freelance instructor, but she is now also a ‘freelance skipper with plenty of work,’ who also teaches shorebased courses, including navigation and first aid.

‘I teach students to sail on one of eight different boats. They learn the basics and progress to Day Skipper where they navigate in tidal waters. They learn chart work; how to manoeuvre the boat in small areas; man overboard drills; mooring buoys; sailing exercises; anchoring and coming alongside. In the classroom, I teach chart work and tidal information.

‘I like the job as it varies from week to week. I work away from home in Gibraltar and travel back to my husband in Headley Court, as he is still in the military. However, I choose when to work. The job is great, and I enjoy the diversity of every week. I was paid more in the military but I receive a medical pension as well as my wages.

Published Sept 07