‍“Imposter syndrome’s real,” he admits. “I’ve got 26 years of experience, but I still find myself thinking, am I good enough for this?”

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Meet Craig, and follow his journey from Army life to civilian career. 

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After 26 years in the British Army, Craig has decided it’s time for something new. He joined as an Aircraft Technician at 19 and rose through the ranks to become a commissioned officer. Now a Captain in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), Craig currently serves as Chief of Staff to a 300-person battalion, leading on strategic planning, operational delivery, and personnel management across dispersed units. He’s led engineering teams, taught policy as an instructor, supported specialist units, and worked closely with industry. In 2020, he commissioned during the uncertainty of the pandemic, trading tools for strategy.

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Now, Craig’s decided his time in service is up. This series follows his real-time reflections as he navigates his final year in service. Month by month, he’ll share the highs, the lows, the experiments, and the mindset shifts that come with leaving the military after more than two decades.

Entry 1: The Big Decision and Signing-Off

• Phase: Discovery 
• CV Rewrite: Not yet. This month is about learning, reflecting, and figuring out what excites him.
• Networking: Ongoing and active. Dozens of conversations across finance, defence, energy, and retail.
• Target Role: Undecided. He’s intentionally exploring rather than locking into a path too soon.
• ‍Confidence: ⬆ This month: Took the leap, handed in notice, and is leaning into exploration, excited, but imposter syndrome is lurking.
  
  

“There’s relief in finally doing it, but also nerves. You don’t walk away from nearly three decades of structure, purpose, and community without a few wobbles.”

Craig always planned to serve 22 years. But COVID changed that. He commissioned and has since spent five years as a Captain. But with retirement decades away, and the chance to start a whole new career, the case for staying put just isn’t strong enough. Plus, family plays a big part in this next chapter. With two sons at home and ten years of commutable postings under his belt, he knows that the flexibility he's had so far could vanish with a single new assignment. 

“I don’t want to be a weekend dad,” he says. “I want more control over where I live and how I spend my time.”

So ultimately, although the decision to make such a big jump is never a simple one, Craig is stepping into resettlement ready for the next challenge. 

‍Where is he on his resettlement journey?

Right now, he’s not rushing into anything. There are engineering roles he could return to, but he’s not convinced that’s the right fit. Instead, he’s meeting people, lots of people. Friends in finance, defence, energy, and retail. This stage is about research. About testing things, trying things, seeing what fits.

“Some of the conversations feel more like therapy sessions,” he laughs. “But they’re helping me figure out what actually drives me.”

💡 That’s a great insight, If you’re not sure what you want next, conversations are key. Not every chat has to be an interview or formal meeting, some will just help you unpick what matters most.

And how does it feel? 

Even for someone as prepared as Craig, the nerves are there. He’s glad he made the call, but there’s no pretending the next bit is easy.

“Imposter syndrome’s real,” he admits. “I’ve got 26 years of experience, but I still find myself thinking, am I good enough for this?”

Craig knows he’s lucky to have a strong network. But even with that support, navigating resettlement feels harder than it should. That’s part of why he’s doing this series, to talk about what really happens when you leave, not just the polished summary when he’s 18 months into a new career. 

“I don’t have all the answers,” he says. “But I’m determined to figure them out. This isn’t about finding a job. It’s about finding the right one. And for the first time in a long time, I’m building something for me.”

💡 We always say: you’re not just changing jobs, you’re changing your life - it's why we think the military-to-civilian move is the toughest career switch out there. And that takes space to reflect, reset, and get it right. Craig’s approach, to resist the rush, speak to people, listen to yourself, is exactly what we help you to do in the Redeployable platform.
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So what’s next? Network building, exploring his options, and learning about what’s out there. Stay tuned and we’ll update you next month on where he’s at. 

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[CALLOUT]

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Entry 2: Courses, Careers Fairs, and Conversations That Count

• Phase: Discovery 
• CV Rewrite: In progress. Sent to contacts for feedback, more versions are on the to-do list.
• Networking: Active and growing, with a real focus this month. Multiple meetings with mentors, veterans, friends, and employers in defence, finance, and tech.
• Target Role: Still exploring, but gravitating towards roles involving people and leadership, with a strong purpose.
• Confidence: ↕️ This month: Some dips, especially after hearing others have job offers already, but reassurance from his network has kept momentum high. Still tackling imposter syndrome daily.

“Resettlement starts the day you join,” Craig reflects. “I wish I’d started building the CV three years ago, not now.”

What’s Moved Forward?

“I’ve done loads,” Craig says, and it’s true.
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The biggest milestone? His sign-off is now official. That’s activated his resettlement allowance and kicked off formal support. He’s had his first RAB briefing: Resettlement Advisory Brief with his Individual Education & Resettlement Officer (IERO). He discussed everything he’s entitled to, including leave, allowances, and subsistence. This left him feeling informed, not frustrated, a win in itself. 
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From there, it’s been action stations:

• Training booked: He was able to book a CTP-funded mini-MBA, plus Scrum Master and APM PMQ courses, not necessarily to switch into project management, but to broaden his leadership toolkit.
  
• Events and visits: He’s back from Barclays’ Glasgow campus and heading to his first official careers fair.
  
• Mentors engaged: A well-connected NED, a senior lead at Barclays, and even friends of friends, Craig’s built out a strong web of support, including one mentor helping him prepare for future salary negotiations.
  
• Networking deepened: Through LinkedIn, email intros, and old military connections, Craig’s had conversations with MBDA, Deloitte, and more. Some came via direct outreach. Others through chance meetings and mutual contacts. Either way, he’s showing up.

“I’ve got a year,” he says. “But it already doesn’t feel like a long time.”

What’s Been Easier Than Expected?

Two things stand out: the power of the military network and people’s willingness to help.

“I was worried I’d be pestering people,” he admits. “But actually, they want to talk, and they want to help.”

From a chance catch-up in Barclays HQ to a connection made via his wife’s client, Craig’s seen firsthand just how wide the support of a network stretches, and how willing people are to go the extra mile and help him out. 
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Even his mentor, a seasoned exec in the AI and startup space, has been hands-on: giving Craig feedback, opening doors, and pushing him to think beyond the obvious career paths.

“The network is massive,” Craig says. “I don’t think I realised how many allies we have out here.”

💡 And that’s the thing, even if you’ve only served a few years, start by searching ‘veteran’ on LinkedIn and reaching out to people in companies that interest you. Chances are, they’ll be more than happy to help.

What’s Been Harder?

Fitting everything in - especially while still serving - has been harder than expected. 

“I thought I’d just throw myself into resettlement,” he says. “Book the courses, smash through them, done.”

But life (and full-time work) have other ideas. His goal is still to get the bulk of his training done before Christmas, but fitting everything in is proving harder than expected.
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There’s also the mental load. Hearing a mate already has two job offers knocked Craig’s confidence. “I started worrying,” he says. “Am I behind?”. Add to that the daily battle with impostor syndrome: not knowing how to place himself, wondering if he’s underselling, and it’s clear that this process, while productive, still carries weight.

“I hate bigging myself up,” he admits. “But I’m realising I’ll need to if I want to land the right role.”

💡 He’s not alone. Selling yourself doesn’t come naturally to most veterans. Start by nailing your story and elevator pitch, then practice it out loud.
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Need help? The Personal Brand stage in the Redeployable platform walks you through it, step by step.

How’s He Feeling?

Cautiously optimistic. His confidence dips now and then, especially when comparing timelines. But thanks to positive feedback from mentors, employers, and peers, he’s reminded regularly that he’s on the right path.

“I’m setting achievable goals,” he says. “I’m chipping away.”

And he’s keeping the bigger picture in mind: a role that feels right, not just available.

“It has to involve people,” he says. “Helping, leading, developing. That’s where I thrive.”

What’s Next?

Craig’s month is focused and strategic:

• Book the courses, so he can get them ticked off
• Keep building connections: More in-person meetings, “I prefer face-to-face. It just lands better.”
• Explore new directions: Startups and business development are now on his radar, thanks to mentor nudges.

Stay tuned, and we’ll catch up with Craig next month. 

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[CALLOUT]

Entry 3: Knockbacks, Nudges, and Narrowing Focus

• Phase: Discovery 
• CV Rewrite: Still generic by design, multiple people have reviewed it, but no rewrites yet - it’s too early. 
• Networking: Still active, but more targeted, lots of ongoing conversations.
• Target Role: Starting to narrow. No to overseas roles, undecided on long commutes. Yes to purposeful, flexible work near home.
• Confidence: ↕️ Took a dip after a rejection, but course bookings and clarity have helped stabilise things.

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“My confidence took a dip. But I’m getting anxious, in a good way. The house stuff’s been a distraction, but once that’s done, I can focus again.”

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So, What’s Moved Forward?

Courses are now booked and locked in. Mini MBA in November, APM PMQ right after, and Scrum Master in October.

“I’ve booked them all and they’re all done this side of Christmas. So when I’m applying for roles the other side, they can be on my CV, with a pass - touch wood.”

Between now and then, Craig is juggling work, resettlement, and house renovations, so timing those courses later on was deliberate. No one wants to revise to the sound of drilling, or manage exam modules in the chaos of building. 

What’s Taking Shape?

Craig’s priorities are sharpening, and so is his “no” pile. He’s been meeting with employers, including a senior leader at Deloitte. The conversation felt more like a therapy session than an interview, reassuring him that he’s on the right track but urging him to narrow down what he wants. Deloitte floated options from their Bristol office to a role in Saudi. Tempting on paper, but Craig knew straight away it wasn’t for him.
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Family life comes first. He wants balance, not an overseas posting. Even commuting to London is a stretch -£1,200 a month and hours lost on trains. With remote work being dialled back, it’s not a reliable solution either. That makes London a maybe, and startups tricky too, given they’re mostly clustered in the capital.
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💡 What Craig does know is this: ideally, he wants a job close to home. Travelling midweek is fine, but being present for his family is non-negotiable. He hasn’t nailed down exactly what he does want yet, but he’s getting clearer on what he doesn’t. And crossing things off the list is progress, theres a solid lesson in there.

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The Rejection‍

Craig applied for a role. He knew it was a long shot: the location wasn’t ideal, and the timing didn’t line up with his availability. But he was treating it as a test run, something to help him get comfortable in the application game. If he’d landed an interview, it would’ve been valuable practice.

But instead, he got the standard rejection email.

“Even though I wasn’t pursuing the job that seriously, it was still demoralising.”

Thanks to a connection, he had the recruiter’s direct email. So he followed up and was surprised to get a detailed response within the hour.

“Partly the reason I didn’t progress was my availability date. But she also said my experience was impressive, just not a perfect match. That feedback helped.”

The main lesson?

“If I apply cold to jobs online, the chances of success are slim. You’ve got to leverage your network and speak to someone before you apply.”
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💡 It’s a valuable realisation, and it’s ideal that Craig learnt it early, on a job that wasn’t quite right. It means when the right one comes along, he’ll have the network strategy, the timing, and the approach already in place.

Money, Pressure, and Planning

One thing Craig’s done well (and early) is think through what he needs financially. Not just what he wants to earn, but what it’ll take to cover the bills, support his family, and keep their lifestyle steady once the military salary stops.

“It’s not just about what I want to earn, it’s about what we need to keep things stable.”

He’s thought about the household income as a whole, not just his take-home, and it’s shaping the jobs he considers, the locations he rules out, and the kind of progression he’s open to. He’s also looking at backup options like the Army Reserves, which could flex around a civilian role and help bridge the gap if needed.
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💡 For anyone else going through this, Craig’s approach is a useful reminder: don’t just chase a headline salary. Do the maths. Look at your life, your costs, and what flexibility you might need if your first role isn’t the long-term one.

What’s Next?

“I know what I’ve got to do. I’m glad I’ve booked everything. I just need to get back to marketing myself, once the kitchen’s finished.”

There’s still plenty on the go, but the fog’s starting to clear. The real challenge now? Switching gears from sorting logistics to selling himself.

He’s got a plan, there are dates in the diary, now it’s about turning that prep into action.

Coming up:

1. Career Transition Workshop (CTP)
2. MBDA Military Talent Scheme webinar and application
3. Ongoing networking
4. A bit of pre-learning via Defence Gateway

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Entry 4: Building Foundations: Why Prep Does the Heavy Lifting

• Phase: Laying the Foundations 
• CV Rewrite: Multiple versions now in play, consistent feedback from various sources being applied, toying with creating a master CV, but no rush right now.
• Networking: Feeling confident. New recruiter relationship secured. September events are lined up.
• Target Role: Parameters established, but 9 months out, so it’s too early to start applying. ‍
• Confidence: ↗️ Steady progress despite application timing frustrations. Doing the right things, even when it doesn't feel like it.

"I thought August would be quiet, but it's been surprisingly active," Craig reflects.

While we might typically see August as a dead month for career moves, Craig's proved that prep work doesn't take holidays. Between family holidays and some well-earned golf, he's managed to tick off some significant milestones that'll serve him well when application season finally comes around.

What's Moved Forward?

Two big wins this month. First, Craig's now a chartered manager - another qualification ticked off that adds weight to his civilian credentials.
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Second, he's completed his Career Transition Workshop (CTW), which "exceeded my expectations," he says. But this wasn't blind optimism going in. Craig's approach has been to use everything available while keeping his expectations realistic. Too many people either dismiss official resettlement support entirely or expect it to solve everything. Craig found the middle ground.

"The facilitator was passionate, and because I went in with an open mind, I got a lot out of it." 

💡 There's a key lesson here. Don't write off official support, but don't rely on it exclusively either. It serves a purpose, but is largely one-size-fits-all. Craig's using every resource available, keeping his expectations realistic, and doing a lot of personal research. It means he’s setting a very solid foundation for himself as he moves towards that final date of service. 

The Network Pays Off

August also showed how consistent networking creates opportunities you can't predict. Enter Becki, a standalone recruitment consultant who's agreed to represent Craig after connecting through his expanding network.
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It's textbook stuff - how relationship-building pays dividends in ways you never see coming. Craig wasn't specifically hunting for recruiters, but by staying visible and having proper conversations about his transition, opportunities found him. 
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More importantly, Craig's networking confidence is building. "It gets easier with experience. You learn from mistakes and adapt," he reflects. Those early conversations that felt awkward are now strategic discussions about fit and opportunity. Practice makes the difference.

Strategic Positioning in the Prep Phase

Here's where Craig's thinking gets smart. Rather than flapping about not having applications out there, he's made a strategic decision about his LinkedIn presence. He's temporarily removed his "Open to Work" banner, planning to re-enable it after Christmas when he's actually in the proper application window. It's smart positioning. Better to control the narrative and appear when you can actually follow through than to signal availability when you're still nine months out. This is prep phase thinking - getting everything ready for when it matters, not just staying busy for the sake of it. 

"Everyone's saying I'm doing everything right, but I still get nervous because I don't have a job secured yet," he admits.

It's the classic transition paradox - you need to be prepared, but you can't properly execute until you're closer to your availability date. Craig's managing this tension by focusing on what he can control: skills, connections, and positioning.
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💡 Here's the thing: you might be itching to get a contract signed, but frankly, very few employers want to hire someone nine months out. Trust the process, build the foundations, and make your move when it actually counts.
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FYI: If you’re a bit stuck on what this ‘prep’ stuff actually is - we’re here to help. Dive into the Redeployable platform, it’ll take you step by step through the process, giving you actual assets that you can use on LinkedIn, for networking, or on your CV. Try it out here. 

Regaining Momentum After Summer

The real test of August's productivity will be September's momentum. Craig's calendar is filling up with exactly the kind of face-to-face opportunities where he thrives: the Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, a career fair in Cheltenham, and an AWE insight day.

After a summer that could easily have been written off as downtime, Craig's positioned himself for a busy September. The groundwork's done, the network's expanding, and the opportunities are lining up.

What's Next?

The courses remain on track for completion before Christmas. The network continues to deliver unexpected connections. The positioning is strategic rather than desperate. Sometimes the most productive months are the ones that don't look productive from the outside. August proved that building foundations isn't glamorous, but it's essential. Craig's playing the long game, and the pieces are falling into place.
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September's about to get busy in the best possible way.
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💡 The August Lesson: Don't write off "quiet" months. Use them to complete qualifications, build relationships, and position yourself strategically. The preparation you do in the background often matters more than the noise you make up front.

Ready to get at it? Head to the platform and we’ll give you the right pointers to get cracking with your career change. 

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