Reply to: Advise on the market for an Army leaver

[Roamer77]

Again.....thanks for the help; much appreciated.

I was away at a wedding this weekend so apologies for not replying sooner.
I can neither send or receive PM's ...

So I have created a new email account ... if you would like to contact me you can do so using:

<snip>

- not my usual email address but will do for the time being.
Cheers.

<admin note>Have upgraded your account so you can use the PM system.</admin note>

[Menelaus]

Arse. Having seen your previous message about having sent a PM, I have spent 15 minutes writing one too.

Roamer77: if you can send me a Private Message with an email address, I have some information for you.

Mods: Roamer77 looks genuine, any chance of making him a 'full' user so we can PM him?

Sorry about that mate. Oops.

[RichardCranium]

Correction: no PM available.

Roamer - please drop me a PM.

Arse. Having seen your previous message about having sent a PM, I have spent 15 minutes writing one too.

Roamer77: if you can send me a Private Message with an email address, I have some information for you. If not, this email address will remain until tomorrow: removed

Mods: Roamer77 looks genuine, any chance of making him a 'full' user so we can PM him? Edit: thank you, mods.

[Menelaus]

Level of security clearance has nothing to do with Corps i.e. the unit you are in.
It is solely to do with what role you are currently employed in ... hence a lot of signallers and Intelligence Corps guys are DV cleared.

Although, obviously the role of the unit often dictates the roles of individuals within it. Forr instance high level HQ staff often get high level clearance.

They are clamping down on who gets DV (and above) because they have realised how much temptation to leave and earn big bucks it brings the workforce.

I did 'try' and wrangle DV clearance but was never really in a position to need it.

Correction: no PM available.

Roamer - please drop me a PM.

[AlfredJPruffock]

I believe that the IT services company SERCO have a fair amount of x-millitary IT technicans as well as some MOD contracts - hope that helps - whatever you do - good luck.

[TykeMerc]

Thanks for the quick responses ... much appreciated.

Just to clarify:
I have been offered a 12 month rolling contract but it isn't popular with the missus who thought we had left 'separated' life behind us.

scooterscot:
I was a Captain in the Royal Corps of Signals with over 6 years experience of communications and information systems; primarily in the project management and service management sphere of work.
However, we are very much jacks of all trades, masters of none and I have done a bit of everything as regards comms and IS. (security, design, training, presentations, etc).

Previous to that I was a software engineer with a first class hons degree in computer science. (C++, JAVA, VB etc...)
I have PRINCE2, MoR, ITIL, SC Clearance (they really don't like to get us DV anymore) and a C&G senior award in management and leadership which is supposed to be degree equivalent.
Plus, a whole bunch of army training (logistics, networks, radios, satellites, VTC, Afghan, Iraq, security, ISTAR, cryptography...oh and shooting ppl, office politics anyone?!)

I have worked on 'civvy street' before so understand the real world but I am a little rusty. That being said, all the contracts I'm aiming at are security cleared.

With that skillset and level of experience you're certainly employable, the MoD have some active PM and Service Delivery roles at the moment.

Yes the market is in the toilet at the moment, but there's still work out there, you need to assemble a decent CV and get it out to the Defence related agents like Morsons, LA International and Elan Defence. Alexander Mann still do a lot for CSC who are heavily into defence contractors too.

[scooterscot]

Thanks for the quick responses ... much appreciated.

Just to clarify:
I have been offered a 12 month rolling contract but it isn't popular with the missus who thought we had left 'separated' life behind us.

scooterscot:
I was a Captain in the Royal Corps of Signals with over 6 years experience of communications and information systems; primarily in the project management and service management sphere of work.
However, we are very much jacks of all trades, masters of none and I have done a bit of everything as regards comms and IS. (security, design, training, presentations, etc).

Previous to that I was a software engineer with a first class hons degree in computer science. (C++, JAVA, VB etc...)
I have PRINCE2, MoR, ITIL, SC Clearance (they really don't like to get us DV anymore) and a C&G senior award in management and leadership which is supposed to be degree equivalent.
Plus, a whole bunch of army training (logistics, networks, radios, satellites, VTC, Afghan, Iraq, security, ISTAR, cryptography...oh and shooting ppl, office politics anyone?!)

I have worked on 'civvy street' before so understand the real world but I am a little rusty. That being said, all the contracts I'm aiming at are security cleared.

Fantastic roamer77. Despite what others are saying you should find work in no time. I've a relation who served with the royal engineers (I know not RCofS) who found work in the city within months of leaving the service. The point is options exist for x-service folks. Although I avoid sharing the office with x-army, x-navy, & x-RAF at the same time, they never agree on anything.

Remember the MOD spending has increased this year, I've worked on programmes such as watchkeeper, bowman, skynet, and others I don't want to mention here that all require a knowledge of want the service want. A knowledge of how the equipment will be used. Only x-forces understand this. The point is they're are people out there looking for folks with this knowledge that is more important than commercial experience, myself included.

I'm possibly in the market looking for someone with such experience, in fact I might have something right up your street but I've not won the work yet...

[scooterscot]

http://www.demobjob.co.uk/

Although I've never served in the forces I've secured work through these guys from time to time.

Ask for Adrian - he's on the ball.

[Roamer77]

Level of security clearance has nothing to do with Corps i.e. the unit you are in.
It is solely to do with what role you are currently employed in ... hence a lot of signallers and Intelligence Corps guys are DV cleared.

Although, obviously the role of the unit often dictates the roles of individuals within it. Forr instance high level HQ staff often get high level clearance.

They are clamping down on who gets DV (and above) because they have realised how much temptation to leave and earn big bucks it brings the workforce.

I did 'try' and wrangle DV clearance but was never really in a position to need it.

[Ardesco]

Thanks for the quick responses ... much appreciated.

Just to clarify:
I have been offered a 12 month rolling contract but it isn't popular with the missus who thought we had left 'separated' life behind us.

scooterscot:
I was a Captain in the Royal Corps of Signals with over 6 years experience of communications and information systems; primarily in the project management and service management sphere of work.
However, we are very much jacks of all trades, masters of none and I have done a bit of everything as regards comms and IS. (security, design, training, presentations, etc).

Previous to that I was a software engineer with a first class hons degree in computer science. (C++, JAVA, VB etc...)
I have PRINCE2, MoR, ITIL, SC Clearance (they really don't like to get us DV anymore) and a C&G senior award in management and leadership which is supposed to be degree equivalent.
Plus, a whole bunch of army training (logistics, networks, radios, satellites, VTC, Afghan, Iraq, security, ISTAR, cryptography...oh and shooting ppl, office politics anyone?!)

I have worked on 'civvy street' before so understand the real world but I am a little rusty. That being said, all the contracts I'm aiming at are security cleared.

Ought to read the whole thread before I stick my oar in .

Good to know my memory still works properly though .

[Ardesco]

There is a market for ex-military, due to security clearance. You should have or be able to get DV level. Then go and search on that. I have worked with a lot of ex-signals (in networking).

Always used to be SC for signallers if I remember correctly.

[Roamer77]

Thanks for the quick responses ... much appreciated.

Just to clarify:
I have been offered a 12 month rolling contract but it isn't popular with the missus who thought we had left 'separated' life behind us.

scooterscot:
I was a Captain in the Royal Corps of Signals with over 6 years experience of communications and information systems; primarily in the project management and service management sphere of work.
However, we are very much jacks of all trades, masters of none and I have done a bit of everything as regards comms and IS. (security, design, training, presentations, etc).

Previous to that I was a software engineer with a first class hons degree in computer science. (C++, JAVA, VB etc...)
I have PRINCE2, MoR, ITIL, SC Clearance (they really don't like to get us DV anymore) and a C&G senior award in management and leadership which is supposed to be degree equivalent.
Plus, a whole bunch of army training (logistics, networks, radios, satellites, VTC, Afghan, Iraq, security, ISTAR, cryptography...oh and shooting ppl, office politics anyone?!)

I have worked on 'civvy street' before so understand the real world but I am a little rusty. That being said, all the contracts I'm aiming at are security cleared.

[RichardCranium]

Specifically for experienced ex-Forces personnel with technical skills (and often no recognisable qualifications despite shed-loads of training) The Institution of Analysts and Programmers can provide some advice. It would do you no harm to telephone them and state your position.

I would PM or email you some additional info, but this forum won't let me until you've had a few more posts moderated.

[nomadd]

Hi all, first post so please be gentle.

I have been looking for work both permi and contract since the start of May.
I have now come to the end of my 2 month period of being paid to re-acclimatise to civilian life and could do with an income. On the other hand my financial situation is far from desperate.

As others have said, get a permie role and get some "real world" experience. No offense, but employers will not see armed services experience as relevant. At least that's my experience, having worked with quite a few ex-forces guys over the years.

Market at the moment is very tough. You maybe very lucky and find a contract, but I wouldn't count on it.

I worked with one PC Support company a few years ago who specialised in getting ex-forces people back into civilian work. Sorry, can't remember their name. Isn't there someone in the military who could help you with the transition - i.e. a sort of "careers advisor" for the return to civilian life? Maybe they would have contacts with the type of company I mentioned above.

Other than that, maybe concentrate your efforts on companies who specialise in military systems. You'd probably have an edge over us civies there.

Cheers,

Nomadd

[Zippy]

I'm sure my esteemed colleagues are right about the security clearance angle so do look into that.

My view is that - if you fancy contracting - you'll need a track record so be prepared to take a few three monthers anywhere you can to establish your credentials. Your wife may not be very happy but surely you are both used to short-term postings?

All the best.