Now a senior lecturer in sport coaching at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), the 58-year-old believes degree studies are worthy of serious consideration for personnel as they plan their life after the army.
He tells Soldier more...
“Never think you’re not clever enough to do a degree – you are, and the skills learnt in the military will help. You are resilient, professional and can turn your hand to anything, and it doesn’t have to be in a subject you’ve done before. It’s not an easy transition, and it can be quite complicated, but it is achievable.
For me, it got to the point where I fancied something different. I’d always played sport and had an interest in health and fitness, so I wanted to become a PE teacher.
I liked instructing during my military career and had finished up at ATR Bassingbourn.
After I left, I had to do an access to higher education course to get me up to scratch. It covered history, maths and sport and generally got me to grips with what was to come. Before that I’d a handful of GCSEs, but I wasn’t really academic. I then did a three-year degree in sport science and PE at the University of Chester followed by a masters, which I did part-time while working as a PE teacher and serving in the reserves. Afterwards I got a job in coach development. I did a workshop at LJMU, passed on my CV and have been doing this for almost 20 years now.
My five-year plan took ten, but I’ve got to where I wanted to be. Remember, if you’ve done five years’ service the MoD will help pay for your degree.
You don’t have to move away from your trade; I was after a complete change but that isn’t the case for everyone. Speak to universities, have conversations and don’t be held back by what you have done in the past – you can do anything.”
