I’m currently a Front Line Security officer at Fen End with Jaguar Land Rover, employed by GMS Security Services Ltd.

I enlisted into the Army on 14^th December 1971 and carried out my basic training at The Depot the Queens Division in Bassingbourne. For those old enough to remember it was an ex US Air force Base and it was the location for the Movie Full Metal Jacket.

I finished my training in 1973 but because the Battalion I was allocated to was in Northern Ireland and I was still only 17, I was attached to the 1^st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment in Cyprus. I returned to sunny Catterick in late 1973 and in 1974 I did my first of many tours of Northern Ireland. 1975 saw the Battalion move from Catterick to Paderborn as part of the British Army of the Rhine. I was serving with the 2^nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers up until 1977 but left the Battalion when I was posted back to Bassingbourne. I never rejoined my Battalion, instead I was posted to Warminster Support Unit and it was there that I took the opportunity to re-train and transfer into the RAOC (Royal Army Ordnance Corp).

My trade in the RAOC was Supply Controller (Avionics) which meant that I specialised in Aircraft Spares and it was because of this that I found myself attached to the Army Air Corps and it was with them that I did a number of detachments to Northern Ireland, Kenya and the Falklands. After a tour of Belize in Central America (where I managed to visit Mexico and Honduras) I was posted back to Germany.

I had always been a keen runner and I started to take it very seriously. The RAOC, in particular the Unit I joined, had some of the Army elite Athletes in their ranks. I was very fortunate that I went on to represent the Army (Kelly Holmes, double Olympic Champion was on our team) and the Inter Services.

I retired from the Army after 24 years 75 days and settled down in Northern Ireland. It was only natural to go into the Logistics sector and I worked for a Company called Banner Business Supplies in the role of Warehouse supervisor.

I found the move from Military life to Civilian life very difficult and I didn’t really adjust very well, I’m sure many of you if you are still reading this will understand. I had several jobs thereafter and eventually decided to become a Security Officer. I joined a team of ex service personnel looking after a site which housed the offices of the Northern Irish MP’s and the Lord Mayors office at Castlereagh Borough council in Belfast.

I moved back to England in 2007 and I have worked for a number of security companies and it was during this time that I met and worked for Simon Williams (GMS Contract Manager). When I first joined GMS I was located at a JLR site in Oxford Road and after several months I was asked to consider a transfer to Fen End, which I accepted. I enjoy working at the site, we have an excellent team who support each other by sharing our experience and knowledge. Guvi Baines and Wayne Compton are just two of the Officers that really helped me along the way and I would like to thank them for helping me get my feet firmly grounded, their support has been invaluable.

Describe your journey in the forces
• Royal Anglian Regiment 6½ years
• Rank – Lance Corporal
• Trained – Infantry Soldier, PTI Class 3, Counter Terrorist Search Team Commander and RMA3 (Medic)

What other interests did you have, whilst you were serving?
I was into boxing and rugby, most sports, hill walking and going out with the lads.

What was your first job in ‘Civvy Street’?
I was a driver in an armoured vehicle collecting Gold and Diamonds from Heathrow and delivering across to the Jewellers of the West End in London such as DeBeers and Bulgari. It was my first foot into the industry and I really enjoyed it.

How did you get into the Security sector?
It’s easy to fall into after leaving the military because security roles require a similar mindset so it’s an easy fit. My time in the Army gave me a natural eye for noting security concerns and assessing risk.

What do you like about working in security?
I like to remain operational and hands on; there are some like-minded people who are easy to get on with and the job security the sector provides is fantastic.

What other skills do you think have stuck with you, from the Military?
Team ethics, punctuality, presentation, attention to detail and the tenacity to succeed – I will apply myself to anything.

What was the hardest thing about Army life?
Living away from family and at times the inability to have any personal life outside of a camp. If I had the opportunity to do it again, I would use my spare time to see more of wherever I was, not just the inside of the local pubs!

Peter, who served in the Royal Navy tells his story…

• Joined HMS Ganges for basic training as a junior radio operator in Oct 22 1974.

• Joined HMS Mercury for branch training in Dec 1974.

• First draft was HMS Rooke in Gibraltar at the Comcen in the rock, Jul 1975 -Jan 1976.

• First ship was HMS Euryalus which was a Leander-class frigate of the Royal Navy – Joined Jan 1976 – Feb 1978.

• Next draft was HMS Osprey which was an anti-submarine training establishment located at the Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. It was active between 1924 and 1941, and again from 1946 to 1999. The helicopter station RNAS Portland formed part of the establishment from 1959 to 1999.

• I worked for FOST (Flag Officer Sea Training) where they train ships/crew for war between February 1978 and Apr 1978.

• Second ship was HMS Bulwark which was a aircraft carrier and troop carrier – joined Apr 1978 – May 1980.

• Last draft was HMS Nelson to do my leaving routine which was from May 1980 – Jul 1980. I left with the rank of RO1 which is able seaman first class.

Royal Fleet Reserve

• I joined the RFR in Jul 1980 which every naval rating has to. You normally serve three years on standby in case you are called back up. I served ten years leaving with the same rank RO1 in around June 1990.

Royal Naval Reserve

• I joined the RNR in June 1990 serving on two different ships HMS Itchen which was based at Bristol and HMS Helford which was based at Belfast.

• I gained the rank LRO which is Leading seaman (equivalent to Corporal) and was instructing pupils in communication in the classroom.

• I also gained my GCLS (Good Conduct Long Service Medal) .

• I left regrettably in July 1995 due to ill health.

My first job in civvy street was working for a menu making firm which I had to learn book binding, embossing and gold blocking. I had to learn to operate a hand press, power press and a guillotine. I ended up being their printer/off setter (lithographics).

I’ve done a few jobs since then but I ended up in security after working for an agency for a year traveling to Holland and back several times to work. The company I was working for had to let me go because I had finished the job I had originally been employed to do. It was two weeks before Christmas so I had to find work and a family friend worked for GMS and got me an interview. The rest they say is history!

On 27 November 2002, I arrived at RAF Halton to begin my basic training with 4 Flight; after which I moved on to Basic Police Course 502 at RAF Halton where we learnt about all aspects of policing and security including defensive tactics (baton and cuff training) and dealing with a wide variety of scenarios that we may come across on our stations.

After passing out of training as an Acting Corporal, in April 2003, I was posted to RAF High Wycombe (Home of Strike Command and the Commander in Chief of the RAF). This is where I found my interest in security, as the station was not a traditional policing unit. I learnt about the Counter Intelligence Department and the security work carried out by the RAF Police, as well as dealing with service personnel from other countries. In 2004, I was deployed to the Joint Service Policing Unit Falklands Islands at Mount Pleasant Airfield. This was my first experience of working with the Royal Military Police and Royal Navy Police, as well as the local Falkland Island Police as we were all sworn in as Reserve Police Constables. This was an enjoyable experience at a fast-paced policing unit. On returning to RAF High Wycombe after four months away, I continued with the gate duties.

In August 2005 I was posted to RAF Wittering; here I was carrying out a policing role after the trade was restructured. Shortly after arriving, I deployed to JSPU (FI) for another four-month detachment. On my return, I developed as a Police Non-Commissioned Officer earning qualifications in Air Transport Security and Prisoner Detention (Custody). I found that I had a niche for the Custody work, when I was given the task to upgrade to the Custody Facility at RAF Wittering; A task which earnt me praise from the RAF Police Standards Warrant Officer for a “job well done”! I dealt with a variety of different incidents from aircraft crashes, crime investigation and dealing with mental health issues from other service personnel.

In April 2007, I was deployed to my most enjoyable yet challenging detachment to Op Telic Basrah Air Station. Here I was carrying out Force Protection work, dealing with locals and international forces, avoiding the rocket attacks from the insurgents as well as locating the impact sites. After the opening of a new gate at Basrah, I moved to the Passes and Permits office where I received training on biometric scanners and a mobile vehicle x-ray unit. On one of the first days using the x-ray machines, we discovered a car that was carrying an Improvised Explosive Device and the vehicle was turned around at that time. A couple of days later, the vehicle returned (minus the IED) and the driver was questioned by Intelligence Corps. It turned out that the insurgents, had forced him to drive the car whilst threatening his family. After three months of being on deployment, I was moved to the Air Transport Security Team carrying out scans of personnel and their belongings before boarding of RAF assets. I volunteered to assist the Royal Dutch Military Police with the x-raying of Dutch service personnel bags as part of their withdrawal from Iraq. After four months I returned to RAF Wittering and continued my policing and custody duties, with a further air transport security trip to Kenya to protect British Army and RAF assets whilst on the ground, including the mentoring of junior NCO’s.

In February 2010 I was posted to RAF Cosford, where my development progressed further after a couple of months on general police duties, I moved into the Counter Intelligence (Protective Security) office as the cover JNCO IC Physical Security, which meant I was responsible for all the physical barriers from fencing, manned guarding, building security to document security. I provided station briefings and one to one briefings with the Station Commander. I had the opportunity to be part of the RAF Police team supporting the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. Liaising with members of the public and promoting the RAF. In January 2011, I was moved to the position of Deputy Shift Manager, responsible for the day to day running of the duty shifts, rostering, casefile overview and weekly staff briefings with the other RAF Police departments. I was then seconded to RAF Leeming to conduct a Counter Intelligence investigation alongside RAF Leeming Police Flight. I was then seconded to RAF Waddington in support of their Air Show, before returning to RAF Cosford general police duties until my discharge on 26^thNovember 2011.

What other interests did you have, whilst you were serving?
Played rugby representing Station (RAF High Wycombe, RAF Wittering) and playing cricket representing the Station (RAF Wittering).

What was your first job in ‘Civvy Street’?
Incident Response Officer for OCS at St. Georges Park, Burton Upon Trent.

How did you get into the Security sector?
I thought it would be a natural progression of the work I did in the RAF Police Protective Security office, so I completed my SIA course with the DWP and applied for jobs.

What do you like about working in Security?
I like the ability to assist the client with ensuring a safe and secure site.

What other skills do you think have stuck with you, from the Military?
Discipline, time management and attention to detail.

What was the hardest thing about Armed Forces life?
Being away from loved ones, whether deployed overseas or in the UK.

I was a Sergeant in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers 2^nd BT (Operational task Sgt) badged RRF though also assigned to Task 22 from 1981 to 1994.

During this time, I took part in some very specific training including;

• Search & Rescue
• Reconnaissance Missions
• Counterterrorism Operations
• Bomb Threats
• Current Threat
• Responding to a Firearms and Weapons attacks
• Identifying and responding to Suspicious Behaviour
• Document Awareness
• Identifying and Dealing with Bombs (IED) and Suspicious Items

I also achieved recognition for Close protection team at the highest order, seeking intel and bringing back our teams and Mark 1 sharpshooter!

I travelled the World, seeing it from a different view which I am sure you will appreciate what I mean.

What other interests did you have, whilst you were serving?

• Joining the Police!!
• Being of good service and assisting others (doing the right thing)
• Field Medic

What was your first job in ‘Civvy Street’?
I joined a security company as their security inspector

How did you get into the Security sector?
It was not really a choice at the time most companies did not want ex forces and with my experience security was the only option, apart from the Police

What do you like about working in Security?
The investigations side of things and evaluating the pros and cons down to the closest detail, which I pay very close attention to.  With my vast experience and knowledge, I can make recommendations and I enjoy the challenge the security sector gives me.

What other skills do you think have stuck with you, from the Military?
Counter-terrorism and being able to deal with the Home Office, which still comes in handy these days!

The experience gained from the MOD days is useful with the present-day interactions in security.

What was the hardest thing about Army life?
Not knowing if I was coming back home!