Our experience
“Upon completing 26 years with the Armed Forces (within the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as an Avionics Technician), I elected to transfer to my local Army Reserve unit so that I can continue to utilise my previous skills, training, experience and knowledge to benefit others.
As a Sergeant in the local Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) squadron, I am providing training and mentorship to all the soldiers but particularly with the junior leadership and management teams. I have been struck by the professionalism and dedication exhibited by the members of my new Unit and discussed at length with them as to potential conflictions with civilian employers.
“I was anxious that any new employment may not look favourably towards an employee’s commitment to the Army Reserves as they could be perceived as being mutually exclusive to each other, and a lack of understanding would force me to rethink any continued future within the Armed Forces. I have very quickly realised that any Reservist has to strike a fine balance between Employment, Family and Army commitments which can be very difficult to achieve and may be considered restrictive for a future employer. I was completely overwhelmed by the support offered by RT Infrastructure Solutions Ltd, who stated from the earliest interview stages that they would support my personal aspirations to maintain a role within the Army Reserves.
Since being with RTIS I have been engaged in courses in Railway engineering
Preparing me for my Technical Trainer role, but equally balanced with an evening or two per week (with occasional weekend duties) at my local Army Reserve Unit at Ipswich, with little visible impact on either. Both of my training roles are almost perfectly matched and agreeably complement each other, gaining professional development and shaping best practices in both spheres.
“It is a very commendable attitude that a small company can be supportive of Armed Forces personnel in this manner as any ‘uniformed’ commitments and obligations may directly impact on their own output and delivery as a whole and could be deemed as a risk to productivity overall. I also feel assured that this attribute has the added benefit of reducing the stress or strain that I (or my family) may experience, insofar that I will have my ‘normal’ job to return to.
“I am still in direct contact with many of the soldiers that were under my previous command (as its very hard to forget that, for many years, I had responsibilities for shaping all aspects of their lives) and am assisting many of them through the journey of resettlement to civilian life. From my personal and direct experiences within RTIS, I have been able to provide a level of assurance with sound advice and alleviate any anxieties they may be feeling during their transition period.”