Leaving Service after 22 years - Mervyn's story
Meet Mervyn
After 22 years of service, Mervyn reached a natural point of change and decided it was time to transition to civilian life. He sought the support of the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), the official resettlement service for the Armed Forces which Reed in Partnership delivers on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
We spoke with Mervyn about his transition:
My 22-year Army career began within a spearhead Commando Force, deploying people, equipment, and training across multiple domains. As I progressed, I moved into more senior and strategic roles. I championed the work of the Land Warfare Centre and became the British Army’s lead for the Battlecraft Syllabus
I wanted a new challenge outside the military. The opportunity to grow professionally in a different sector, and greater long-term stability for my family. It felt like the right moment to step into a second career with fresh opportunities.
Our support
To prepare for his transition, Mervyn took advantage of CTP workshops and training designed to prepare Service leavers with tailored guidance and practical tools to aid a successful transition.
The workshops gave me clarity on how to translate military skills into civilian language. All the discussions, practical exercises and examples helped me understand how employers think and how to structure my CV and interview answers. Overall, the workshop was informative, reassuring, and a great foundation for the rest of my transition.
CTP Training helped reinforce my qualifications and understanding of the civilian workspace. It also bridged gaps in terminology and process, helping me adapt to project environments outside of defence.
Throughout his journey, Mervyn received support from his Career Consultant Ellie, who helped build his confidence and stay focused on the right pathway.
The support from the CTP was excellent, particularly the one-to-one guidance from Ellie. She took extra time to understand my background and goals, helped refine my CV, walked me through role suitability, and supported me in shaping a realistic and achievable career plan. Ellie’s encouragement, honesty and practical advice made a genuine difference.
Mervyn began actively exploring the job market, using the interview simulator on the CTP Digital platform, as well as browsing online job sites. He also engaged with employers by attending networking events and career fairs.
CTP Employment Fairs were extremely useful. They allowed me to speak directly to hiring managers, understand what companies were looking for, and gain insight into industry expectations. These conversations helped me shape my CV, refine my applications, and feel more confident about where my experience aligned. The more conversations I had, the more I understood the roles available and how to position myself effectively.”
Moving forward
Mervyn’s hard work paid off, and he now works for AtkinsRéalis as a Project Manager, supporting nuclear-related infrastructure projects.
**** Mervyn said:
My military skills, including, leadership, communication, decision-making, adaptability, risk management, and the ability to work under pressure have transferred extremely well into this role.
My biggest challenge was adapting to a completely different organisational culture and pace. Learning the language, processes and ways of working took time, and there were moments of doubt and uncertainty. However, support from the CTP, guidance from Ellie, and the connections I made through networking and BuildForce helped make the adjustment smoother and far more positive.
Transition can feel overwhelming, but with the right support and mindset, it becomes a genuinely rewarding opportunity. I’m proud of the journey I’ve taken and grateful to those who helped me along the way.
