After 24 years in the Intelligence Corps, Dan McCaffery had led high-stakes missions around the globe, from Iraq and Afghanistan to East Africa and beyond. He wasn’t just managing risk. He was safeguarding people, places, and top-tier national infrastructure.
But when the uniform came off, things shifted.
Military Background: Strategy Under Pressure
Dan served 24 years in the Intelligence Corps, rising to Warrant Officer Class 1. His career spanned from frontline combat intelligence to heading up operational resilience across some of the Army’s most sensitive global infrastructure. His final post involved leading counter-sabotage operations for the British Army’s critical national infrastructure.
“I was the one they sent to make sure the systems didn’t break under pressure: people, places, comms, infrastructure. If it needed securing, I led the team.”
But after two decades, landing at the top, and with two young daughters starting school, Dan made the call.
“I didn’t just want to be a soldier anymore. I wanted a second career.”
And like many service leavers, he discovered that career transition wasn’t just about finding the right job title, it was about rebuilding identity, translating value, and stepping into unfamiliar terrain without a map.
The Transition Struggle
Leaving the Army wasn’t the hard part. It was everything after. Dan did what most do: hit the expos, joined LinkedIn, tried networking, but nothing clicked.
“I didn’t even get the ‘seven clicks to freedom.’ JPA just said, ‘You’ve got two years left. Time to start resettling.’ I had no idea what I was doing. [...] I walked around the Security Cleared Expo, didn’t speak to anyone, and left 45 minutes later. I couldn’t sell myself. I didn’t know how to explain my value.”
He kept hearing that his background was relevant, but couldn’t see how, or where, to apply it.
How Redeployable Helped
- Our AI-powered platform helped him unpack his experience, match it to real-world sectors, and explore civilian careers that made sense.
“When I put my skill set in, it came out with different roles for me. And I was like, right, okay. It told me to look at this sector, look at that sector. I was like, 'Ah”
- The WhatsApp Job Club gave him a sounding board. Other veterans at different stages helped him feel less isolated and more informed.
“It has been good. [...] I found it really worthwhile. [...] I can literally just send a message saying, ‘Not too sure about this, anyone got any suggestions?’ And someone would come back with, ‘Yeah, I did this three or four weeks ago.’ Ah, right, perfect.”
Finding the Right Fit: Why National Gas Said Yes
Dan started showing up with a purpose; he spoke to National Grid, RWE, Trent Water, and National Gas.
“They were the only ones who actually picked up the phone. The hiring manager was ex-military. He got it.”
Dan now works in security and resilience at National Gas, helping secure one of the UK’s most pressured and strategically important sectors. The role is hybrid, meaning he’s there for the school runs, and built around the same skillset he mastered in the military: operational resilience, leadership, and systems thinking.
Final Word
Dan didn’t fall into his next role; he built towards it. He backed his experience, picked the right sector, and showed up ready to translate his value. It was a journey to get here, but he’s in the right place now.
And that’s what we’re here to help with. Our AI-powered platform can guide you through it, mapping your strengths, clarifying your direction, and connecting you to roles where your background actually makes sense.
You do not have to spend months second-guessing your next move. You just need someone to help open the right door.
👉 Get started today, it’s completely free.
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