As keynote speaker at a British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) jobs fair on March 4 at the Garrison Sports Centre in Aldershot, Colonel Kemp says: “In my experience since leaving the Army, most former service people tend to very much undersell themselves. It is really important that they recognise the impressive range of skills and experience they have acquired in their military service so that they can market themselves to employers.”
“Service leavers have so much to offer employers in civilian business. Their work ethic, self-discipline and adherence to the highest standards are much sought after outside. With the increasing profile of the armed forces in the Iraq and Afghanistan era, employers are often keen to take advantage of what former military people have to offer. But that doesn’t make it any easier, especially in the current jobs market, to secure employment. Service men and women still have to compete with large numbers of other highly talented job applicants,” he added.
In terms of what service personnel can do to give themselves an edge over their civilian rivals, Colonel Kemp said: “It is equally important that they translate these qualities into language that civilian companies can understand. The CV is probably the single most important element in finding a new job, and far too often highly competent service people will miss out on opportunities because their CV does not properly reflect all that they can bring to an employer.
“The same applies in the interview process. Military service breeds modesty and deference, which sometimes comes across as lack of confidence. During interview the service applicant must try to strike a balance. Without coming across as big-headed or cocky, they need to project themselves and the skills they offer confidently and forthrightly. If they don’t tell an interviewer how much of a match they are for the job, he will not be able to guess at it. You have to help them to help you.”
Since leaving the Army Colonel Kemp has been very proactive in continuing to support Service personnel and their families. His efforts have included leading a campaign in 2007 and 2008 to recognise the sacrifice of British troops killed and wounded in action by the award of a medal similar to the US Purple Heart. It led to the creation of the Elizabeth Cross - a new award now made to the next of kin of British soldiers killed in action backdated to the end of World War 2.
The British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) event will bring together Service leavers, employers such as BAE Systems, Boeing, the AA, BSM, Airbus, EADS, Marstons, Security Networking Events, Rushmoor Borough Council, Hampshire Police, Civvy Street and The British Legion, training providers and service providers.
This is the first of seven planned events over the next year, and is being supported by Leicester-based Gemini Forces which will donate 10% of the proceeds of the event to the Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, which provides much-needed help for homeless ex-services personnel.
Gemini Forces provides a help, advice and placement service to both Service Leavers and former Service personnel.
Its director, Harry Dean, who served in the Army for 30 years, said: “Many ex-Forces personnel aren’t aware of the help they can access when making the transition to civilian life. For example, we come across many ex-services personnel who are not aware of the training packages they are entitled to.
Gemini specialises in matching training packages with their aspirations and the skills they have already acquired in the military. A typical example is Royal Marine Commando Ben Bryan who has rebuilt his life and career after turning to Gemini for help. (see separate case study as follows).
Case Study on ex-marine Ben Bryan
Ben’s life turned upside down when he left the forces after ten year’s service, including tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ben unsuccessfully tried to run a juice bar business, but after things went wrong, Ben turned to the Marines again and was advised to speak to Gemini Forces about making the transition to civilian life. The Leicester company gave him vitally important advice on CV production and funding available for ex-Services personnel for training.
With that funding, Ben trained in close protection work which has opened up a host of potentially lucrative opportunities. To date he has worked for international football stars at an exclusive villa complex in Ibiza and was part of the team that looked after the presenter for four weeks on the BBC’s Watchdog/Rogue Traders programme.
Ben added: “I started thinking about the Marines again and the lifestyle I was missing and the close protection work is the ideal solution. I had low expectation levels of what I could do when I moved to civilian life but Gemini helped me focus on what I really wanted to do and opened up a whole new world.
“The work I’m doing now gives the job satisfaction I longed for. Now I have my own place, a new car and more importantly I see my children for three solid weeks when I’m home. My wife and I are getting on so much better and we are also thinking of making a second attempt to rekindle our relationship and this is all thanks to Gemini which I will always remember and recommend to anyone who is lost in life.”
Mr Dean added: “Ben’s story is not untypical of what we help ex-Services personnel achieve and we are delighted to have been involved in helping him re-build his career and life.”
Editor’s note:-
About Gemini Forces
Gemini Forces is part of Leicester-based Gemini Resourcing Ltd. provide a help, advice and placement service to both Service Leavers and former Service personnel. Gemini Resourcing UK Ltd deals with the very best candidates and workers that the UK has to offer, placing them into key positions with a diverse range of high profile clients. It places Management Consultants, Project Managers, Executive Assistants/Aides, Facilities/Operations Managers, Defence Consultants Risk Management/Security Consultants, Engineering Managers, Not for profit Directors and Health and Safety Managers.
About BFRS
British Forces Resettlement Services (BFRS) is a networking and events organisation aimed at providing help, advice and support to members of the Armed Forces who are in the process of transitioning from Military to Civilian life. It provides provide help, advice and support to former members of the Armed Forces who are job seeking/career transitioning. The organisation also provides a business network for former members of the Armed Forces.
About Colonel Richard Kemp
In a military career spanning nearly 30 years Colonel Richard Kemp CBE completed 14 operational tours of duty around the globe. He served in Northern Ireland in posts ranging from platoon commander to Commanding Officer of his battalion. As a captain in the Royal Anglian Regiment he took part in the first Gulf War, in 1990–91. He was Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan in 2003. He set up and led an ad hoc joint counter-terrorist operations group comprising forces from the US Marine Corps 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (Antiterrorism) and the British Army, which achieved a number of successes against Al Qaeda-associated extremists in Kabul. He also devised a doctrine for combating suicide attack which did not previously exist in the British forces. That doctrine was subsequently taken into general use in the armed forces. The last five years of his military career were spent working on international terrorism for the Joint Intelligence Committee and COBRA, the UK’s national crisis management committee. After retiring from the Army he wrote his first book, Attack State Red. The account of the 2007 campaign undertaken by the Royal Anglian Regiment was listed as a bestseller. In 2007 and 2008 he led a campaign to recognise the sacrifice of British troops killed and wounded in action by the award of a medal similar to the US Purple Heart. It led to the launch in July 2009 of the Elizabeth Cross, the first decoration to be named after a reigning monarch since the institution of the George Cross in 1941. The award was back-dated to the end of the Second World War.
This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com
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Denise Taylor
Bridge PR Limited
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Email: denise@bridgepr.co.uk
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