From RAF to Professional II Engineer

I served 23 years in the RAF, I joined at 16 as an Airframe/Propulsion Apprentice and commissioned from the ranks in 2001. I left the RAF in 2009 and worked for a Contracting Company for 10 years before joining DE&S in May 2019. 

Professional II Engineer. 

I served a 3 year Apprenticeship at RAF Halton before being posted to RAF Lossiemouth on Tornado, Buccaneers, Shackleton, Jaguar, Sea King and Hunter Aircraft. I worked on Hercules in the first Gulf War and spent most of 1994 in Northern Canada supporting Tornado aircraft at Goose Bay. I was detached to RAF Wyton in 1995 which in 1996 became a posting working on the Tornado LITS IT project. I then went to RAF Cosford to attend the Advanced Further Training from which I was promoted to Sgt and posted to RAF Henlow with an industry placement at IBM Stevenage. In 2001 I was commissioned as an Engineer Officer and served appointments at RAF Wyton within the Tornado IPT (DLO) and Boscombe Down, Worthy Down and finished with the Sea King PT at Castle Court, Sherborne. 

I had worked in the Defence Logistics Organisation previously and DE&S both in the military and as a Contractor for 10 years. 

I enjoy the working environment in DE&S and as transformation becomes more embedded it is more focused on outputs and costs and ensuring value for money which is a big improvement from the early days of the organisation when there was a lot of wasted effort. 

I bring a broad knowledge of a lot of areas to my role as I have worked in Engineering, Project Management and Project Controls roles prior to entering DE&S. 

I have learnt the importance of a work/life balance and ensuring that all staff are treated fairly, regardless of their role. 

I have delivered a number of high profile projects and deliverables over my year with DE&S and received an award as acknowledgement from my Delivery Manager which made me feel valued. 

DE&S offers a worthwhile and productive job that allows an individual to make a difference and if they want to seek further challenges and promotion going forward. The benefits of work life balance and job security in a like-minded environment make going to work a pleasure.