The NAAFI Break podcast highlights the transition from the military into second career success. The measure of success is subjective and different for everyone, although it is common to define it in many cases as achieving fulfilment by finding a new purpose. Within the Veterans Community there are many examples of ‘giving back’ and when someone leaves the Military and is successful a strong desire to ‘send the elevator down for the next person’ . Mark ‘Benny’ Hill is one of those people, driven to help, to continue to serve others and he has succeeded in negotiating his own transition, to be ..read more

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As we journey through to three years and over 125 episodes, the "How to make a successful transition from the military?" focus of our podcast continues to resonate and extend its influence into broader circles. The authentic narratives from our Veteran Community remain the bedrock of truth, providing invaluable insights. However, the spectrum of learning widens as we delve into the perspectives of those who actively support and are profoundly affected by the military transition. Stepping into 2024, the NAAFI Break Podcast is honored to welcome an innovative subject matter expert. This seasoned ..read more

Every guest on NAAFI Break brings their lived experience and their personal truth around the transition from the military into a second career. Some follow traditional pathways, some go on a squiggly path,  others go cross country so to speak, but they all achieve success. It is these lived experiences we hear what drives the successful ones! Success is not a metric based on salary or money made, it can be about finding peace, surviving and thriving after trauma or simply giving back to others. Every now and then you hear a nugget, or little gem of advice or insight that can help you on y ..read more

The NAAFI Break Podcast has covered many aspects of the transition from the military to a second career, always leaning on the 'truth' and lived experience of those who have served or connected to our Veteran Community. That is why when a guest opens up and expresses their emotions, it is a privelidge to bring their story to the wider consciousness. I have often asked guests if they joined to get away from the life they had or to seek a new adventure and it throws up many reasons for joining. This weeks guest is Angus Peacock, Coach, Leader and Royal Navy Veteran who has made the journey from ..read more

Steven Ferris joined me on the NAAFI Break podcast to highlight his personal lived experiences of joining the RAF as a Physical Education Officerand his goal to forge a career in the Parachuting world.  His RAF career brought him ‘money can’t buy experiences’ and launched him into his post service career in Leadership and Coaching. His own experiences of Leadership shaped his future purpose and he has now become a contributing Author to a book called ‘Breaking Barriers’  Transformational Leadership Stories from Pioneering Women and Men Inspiring Change.(Links below) Steven, is comf ..read more

Leaving the Military is different for everyone, with many distancing themselves initially before feeling the pullback to reconnect or give back to the Veteran Community. One thing that seemed part of our DNA while serving is being physically fit, albeit for some because there was a mandatory fitness test to pass every year. So why do so many people struggle to maintain their daily activity when they leave? I can't profess t have the silver bullet, my own post-service activity has been a rollercoaster of extremes (it's up right now!) My guest this week is Carl Simpson, an RAF Regiment Veteran w ..read more

This week my Guest is Ria Jackson, Blogger, Advocate and founder of The V Word, who I would describe as a ‘Doer’. Using her own lived experience to trigger her drive, to create a safe space for  female Veterans to share their different lived experiences. Bringing the different perspectives into the open, is vital for society, not just exclusively the Armed Forces, to learn how to support the needs of our female Service Personnel both in Service and in the transition to civilian careers. If like me you have daughters, granddaughters or sisters who may decide to join the Armed Forces in th ..read more

This week my guest is Dorthe Jacobsen, a Dane who has contributed to a series of publications available to the Danish Military to help them understand the impact of their service, deployments etc on their family. It looks through the lens of the children of different ages and highlights how behaviours and experiences can create an aftershock. The implications of the serving soldiers behaviour can be destructive and the books help to prepare both parties for what could happen and ensure good communication within the family. The parallels to the transition are evident. Dorthe has personal experi ..read more

I’m joined by Peter Lewis, an Army Veteran and Chief People Officer at SuperNova Capital. A Long way from the 16 year old, big fish - little pond, into the Army and a rude  awakening with a dodgy suitcase on arrival at Recruit Training. Peter is a podcast host in his own rite with his ‘give yourself the chat’ podcast that is worth checking out too! https://open.spotify.com/show/5PM5xspBqr2QTkhQ3K5qqu?si=iy_A7NHpQteGDFDUgfdYPA Peter provides honest self reflection of how he has learned as much about Leadership since leaving the Army as he did during service, as well as recognising th ..read more