Stuart Waddington STAR Development UK and Host of the #Leadership What’s on your mind steps in to guest Host this weeks episode where the tables are turned on me!You will hear how 3 pieces of string and a basketball backboard made lasting impressions on me in my RAF Career and how I have made plenty of mistakes in both my RAF career and my transition planning, so you don’t have to.I celebrate some of the amazing guests I have had the privilege to share with the listeners and also the lessons ...
This week we talk to former RAF Physical Training Instructor and Exercise Rehabilitation Instructor John Grindrod, who now owns Functional Training Company Gym and Academy in Ipswich.John followed in his fathers footsteps and joined the RAF, having grown up being surrounded by RAF culture.His personal development and investment in his knowledge and education has driven him to demand high standards that have not(and despite challenges) will not be compromised. His military background and posit...
NAAFI Break with Paul Sutton, former RAF Regiment Gunner, who following Medical Discharge, found himself unable to continue his full on Physical lifestyle. The adjustment, the isolation and the effect on his family are explained with honesty and reflection by Paul. However with the strength of mind and support from his wife, Paul climbed back up and now has found a new purpose and renewed positive outlook to help others, who have struggled too.Honest, raw and still retaining the banter o...
This week we talk to Henry and Craig, two serving Army soldiers, about the Hills & Minds group that they have set up to help Veterans avoid isolation and reconnect with their Military family.Based in Scotland they have created a group that supports itself through organised walks, with the unique military banter, camaraderie, oh and dogs!Talking to these guys it’s incredibly humbling to know there are good people out there doing good things because they can, not because they are told to.&n...
This week we look at how lived experience translated into finding a new purpose, moving countries, setting up a business in a new country, learning new skills and giving back to the Military Community.Charlie Ellis former submariner and now Chief at Mountains & the Sea and Hoofing Holiday, the latter specifically aimed at Military and Veterans seeking adventure, respite and recovery.Charlie may come across as relaxed and laid back, but the is a huge amount of industry, energy and resilien...
This week we discuss the transition process from the Military from the perspective of a Military Spouse.If you want to understand the challenges of being married to someone in the Military, this will open your eyes. If you have served, you may be surprised about how it feels to be the one left behind when you went on Operations. Either way, it’s an incredibly honest and insightful conversation with Jenny.Please follow the NAAFI Break podcast and share.
This week we meet Darren Carew National Inclusion Manager at the WRU, Chair of Special Olympics Wales, Agent for Change for Inclusion. He is a former Army Soldier, Warrior Games Athlete and after an IED incident in Afghanistan found himself standing pitch side watching his kids play rugby as a retired 30 something. The seed was planted and he set out to restart his career in coaching. He has applied his military training, skills and mindset along with his own lived experience to become a...
On George Vlachonikolis’ 25th birthday, he was holding an SA80 assault rifle. Inside his webbing pouches were 150 rounds of ammunition, two HE grenades, two smoke grenades, a small survival kit, 20 Marlboro Lights, and a medikit that included two sticks of morphine and two tourniquets. Strapped to the left-hand side of his Osprey body armour, within easy reach, was his bayonet. George was in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.On George’s 37th birthday, he was wearing a striped cotton twill shirt a...
The Christmas episode of NAAFI Break, brings a different focus to the Podcast with a remarkable, inspiring and humbling personal journey of JJ Chalmers. We chat about his upbringing, destined to be a Royal Marine, the life changing episode In Afghan, the recovery and media career, as well as the chance meeting Ona plane to Tokyo.I have followed JJ on his many media assignments and always admired his professionalism for a late comer to the media and celebrity sphere. What has always struc...
Another episode of the NAAFI Break Podcast highlights the transition process from the Military into a successful second career.It isn’t always simple, it can be a wavy path to find the right fit for you. Abbie is frank and open about how she found her WHY in life. Abbie is a two time author, blogger, coach and Royal Navy Veteran. Please share to anyone with a Forces connection or wants to understand the transition process from the Military.
This week we talk to two former RAF Physical Training Instructors, Mick Murphy, who I served with in the 90s and Phil Quirk, who have 3 Transition stories between them! That’s just greedy!Charting the ups and downs of their own personal journeys and how they have had a reset over the past 18 months of Covid.Another opportunity to uncover the mindset, the insights and the inspiration behind another post service success.Imagination + Innovation =Organisational TransformationOmnia Mind was creat...
This weeks NAAFI Break features Richard Gettings, a former Police Officer In Hong Kong and South Yorkshire and now founder of The Daparian FoundationA non-profit, UK Veteran and Emergency Services, PTSD research organisation which has the purpose of researching UK Veteran and Emergency Services PTSD from the perspective of the diagnosed sufferer and, in so doing, provide the PTSD diagnosed Veteran and Emergency Services communities with an increased presence at the decision table in respect o...
This weeks NAAFI a break, shines a light on the role of an Armed Forces Champion in the NHS. We hear a lot of titles, phrases and words around the transition, that to be honest can be overwhelming. Sarah gives us the reality of what to expect in terms of support and guidance from an Armed Forces Champion and a little about her journey to the role and her Service connection and influence.I know if I was looking for a career in the NHS I’d want someone like this in my corner.Please share to any...
NAAFI Break with Carl Harrison, former RAF Regiment Gunner, who is trying to help his fellow cap badge in the preparation for the transition from the RAF into civvy street.November 27th will be the first RAF Regiment Networking event at LS-TEN in Leeds. I just want to ask you to encourage as many Rocks, past and present to not only like this post but please share. The event with provide a fantastic opportunity for people to get a real insight into the resettlement process, transitio...
This week on the NAAFI Break we focus on the transition 'into' as well as 'out of' the military. I first came across the post below from Andy Challen and immediately identified what I have felt for some time, the need for good mentors and role models for our children. That person who will light the flame of ambition or nurture and support to show that 'anyone can' reach their potential. That kind of person, the mentor, crops up time and time again in the transition particularly with Vete...
Since the start of the NAAFI Break podcast,my aim was always to highlight success in the transition process from the military. My experience has brought me into contact with some amazing people with inspiring and uplifting stories. During the process of finding and unearthing the stories, I was introduced to Garrath Williams (Season 2 Episode9) and as a result, a collaboration was formed to produce sector specific podcasts, with the goal of changing the narrative around Veteran employment and...
This week we have a special bonus episode on Remembrance Sunday. We talk to Matt Simmons who is the founder of Ems4Afghans supporting the Afghan refugees.It’s a great example of ‘Service’ and after listening to the news, like everyone else, Matt was stirred to take action and do something to help.He has got the attention of the National media and MP Stephen Morgan supporting his work.ON Remembrance Sunday, it is poignant that we acknowledge the role the Afghan Interpretors played in supportin...
This week we look at the transition from the Military to a successful second career, with Dan Jarvis MP for Barnsley CENTRAL and Mayor of South Yorkshire. A former Parachute Regiment Officer, who resigned his Commission and an hour later was sworn in as the MP for Barnsley Central, the first non-Yorkshire man since 1938 to win the seat. He is known across parties for his integrity, honesty and hard work ethic in politics. His transition was not the usual, but he offers some insightful an...
This weeks NAAFI Break guest is Research Fellow, Dr Graham Cable, who since our interview has moved on from his post at The Forces in Mind Trust Research Centre, a Big Lottery Fund endowed spend-out charitable Trust, whose aim is to provide an evidence base that will influence and underpin policy making and service delivery in order to enable Veterans and their families to lead successful civilian lives as they transition from the serving military community.I wanted to hear from someone invol...
Since the start of the NAAFI Break podcast,the aim was always to highlight success in the transition process from the military. My experience has brought me into contact with some amazing people with inspiring and uplifting stories. During the process of finding and unearthing the stories, I was introduced to Garrath Williams (Season 2 Episode9) and as a result, a collaboration was formed to produce sector specific podcasts with JobOppO www.joboppo.co.uk, with the goal of changing the narrati...