Five-Year Work Anniversary

Five-year work anniversary today, how time flies. You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.

Five years ago, I joined SMAS Worksafe, I initially asked for some work experience to help with the transition from the military. My career path took an unexpected turn unfortunately, I was in the Royal Marines and I had no intention of leaving. I served five operational tours in total, but on the 16th of July 2010 I was blown up by an IED.

I had multiple life changing injuries that resulted in twenty-nine surgeries in three years to my left arm and eyes predominantly, it took me over a year to read once my right eye was reconstructed. I stopped having surgeries for the general quality of life and I felt my body needed a rest. While in rehabilitation I met some inspirational people who I watched with admiration. I chose the educational route for my development plan while I was medically discharged; within the final year of the Marines I started my degree while also undertaking my NEBOSH certificates.

When I left the Marines, I used the resources at CTP Plymouth, who provided me a contact at SMAS; I thought I needed some work experience to build up my confidence while I transitioned. Regrettably SMAS were not providing work experience at the time, however they did offer me a job. I decided to take on this challenge of working full time with SMAS and I continued to study my degree full time, all this was helped with the support from my wife Amoret who was pregnant with our third child.

I have no regrets about joining the Marines, I understood the risks and I have accepted the physical injuries I sustained. Fortunately SMAS has provided new challenges and opportunities over the years, through support and development of my role.

Don’t let hurdles slow you down in life. There are many hurdles in life, but it’s how you deal with them head on which matters, this will make you a stronger person.

Keep, going, keep achieving.