DE&S Promotes Diversity and Inclusion
Category: Success Stories
Publish date: 05/01/2021
No matter who you are, where you come from, or how you think, we want to help you be the best that you can be – achieving your aspirations and reaching your full potential.
Our people are supported to really be themselves. This is a place where differences are valued and our employees are treated fairly and with respect. We look to harness the collective and complementary skills, knowledge and backgrounds of all our people – because it’s your fresh ideas that enable us to make innovative business decisions.
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce, including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
John Duncan is a member of the Integrated Logistics function and is a Repair Manager with us at DE&S. John was in the Army for 24 years, 22 of which were with the Royal Logistic Corps as a Logistic Specialist (Supplier).
What is your role in DE&S?
“I have had three jobs in DE&S. I started in CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) as the Inventory Manager, before moving into the Land Domain to take up a job as the Inventory Manager for Wheeled Vehicles, and then moved into my current role as the Repair Manager for LWLPM (Light Wheels and Light Protected Mobility), LVS (Logistic Vehicle System) and SV (Support Vehicle).”
Tell me about your military career?
“I spent 24 years in the Army, within the Royal Logistics Core working both at home and abroad. My early years were spent at either a Base Depot or a Supply Regiment. Having gained a promotion I then spent six years with two different transport regiments before returning to Supply Regiments. After serving six years there I moved into a standalone role as the AMMO Sgt for the Land Warfare Centre Warminster. After spending two years in that post I moved back to a Theatre Logistic Regiment as an instructor at the Supply Training Facility, before finally deciding to leave the Service.”
What knowledge did you have of DE&S prior to joining?
“I was lucky as my wife has worked for DE&S for 10 years prior to me starting, but as a Logistic Specialist I was fully aware of what DE&S does for the Army.”
What is it like working for DE&S?
“The only way I would describe it is that it’s like a constant operational tour, and by that I mean you work extremely hard all the time, the tempo never falters and there is no let-up in the Battle. Front Line Commands rely on your judgment to provide answers. Within DE&S no two days are the same.”
How do you make a difference?
“I provide an extremely valuable service to the front line commands. If I didn’t do my job to the best of my ability the Army would be affected.”
What have you achieved in your time at DE&S?
“I am most proud of the fact I was able to get stores from a contractor into the Depot, three days after they had shut for Christmas. A feat that is unheard of within the logistic world!”
What would your message be for people who are leaving (or who’ve already left) the Armed Forces?
“DE&S is an inclusive and diverse place to work with likeminded people wanting to support defence. You would have to be a fool not to consider it as a viable second career.”
To read more stories like John’s, take a look at what other employees of DE&S have to say on our employer profile page. You can also have a read of our Tips and Advice on What Makes a Good CV.
We’ve partnered with the Career Transition Partnership to provide exciting opportunities for Service leavers, so please head the CTP’s online job board, Right Job to search for your next role with DE&S.