After 26 years of military service, Damion knew it was time for a new challenge. But, like many service leavers, he found the transition to civilian employment far harder than expected. Submitting dozens of CVs and receiving little response, he began to wonder where he truly fit in.
That all changed when he discovered Redeployable. Within days of connecting with us, he had a clear plan, and within weeks, he had a new career.
Military Background: Leadership in Action
Damion’s career began at the Army Foundation College in 1998, leading him to the King’s Royal Hussars, where he worked with tanks and rose through the ranks. Over the years, he served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ireland, and various training operations worldwide.
"I did all the usual things that one could imagine throughout a career, deployments, operations, leadership roles," he reflects. "I was fortunate to progress well, eventually becoming a Regimental Sergeant Major and leading a battle group in Estonia."
In 2021, he took another leap, commissioning as a Late Entry Officer, but by 2024, he was ready for his next mission.
Transitioning to Civilian Life: The Reality Check
Leaving the military isn’t just about finding a new job, it’s about navigating an entirely different world. The civilian hiring process doesn’t work like the military career pipeline, where your next role is mapped out for you. Suddenly, decades of experience, leadership, and problem-solving seem invisible to recruiters, and the system feels stacked against you.
For Damion, this reality hit hard.
"I’ve done a lot of difficult things in my life, and I’d say this was probably the hardest," he admits. "It felt like grieving for a life I’d known for so long. Everything that had defined me, my rank, my role, my sense of purpose, was suddenly gone."
And the job hunt? It was frustrating, demoralising, and full of dead ends.
"I must have submitted 30 or 40 CVs to different companies, but I wasn’t getting much joy. Either I’d hear nothing back, or I’d get an automated rejection. Some companies even called themselves ‘forces-friendly,’ but when it came down to it, they didn’t seem to understand how to translate military experience."
The silence was the worst part. This is the broken system veterans face every day. Employers say they value military skills, but their hiring processes don’t reflect it. Too often, veterans are left trying to decode job descriptions, reformat their experience, and convince hiring managers that their leadership skills are relevant.
And this is exactly what we want to solve.
How Redeployable Helped
Everything changed when Damion connected with Redeployable. Instead of wasting hours on job boards and rewriting CVs into oblivion, he got direct access to opportunities that made sense for him.
- Tailored Career Advice: When Damion was looking for his next step, we helped him match his skills, goals, and lifestyle with roles that truly fit. By analysing his experience, we built a personal skills bank, identified any gaps, and mapped out the right path forward.
If you’re wondering where your skills could take you, let Redeployable do the heavy lifting. Jump into the platform and get your skills analysed in minutes! Click here to head to the AI-powered platform. - Identifying the right employer: We helped Damion zero in on Schneider Electric, a company that values leadership, operational expertise, and social responsibility. Because let’s be honest, finding a job isn’t just about getting hired; it’s about finding a place that fits you. If you’re struggling to figure this out, let the platform do the work. Sign up today and get three tailored career suggestions, for free.
- Getting infront of decision-makers: Instead of sending his CV into the abyss, we got Damion in front of decision-makers through an assessment centre, giving him the chance to meet hiring managers face-to-face. It’s important to understand the organisation as much as the job itself. That’s why our platform’s career pathways give you the inside track on our partner companies, so when the right opportunity comes up, you’ll know it’s a perfect match.
The result? By June 28th, 2024, Damion left the Army. By July 1st, he had a new career. This is why career transitions shouldn’t be done alone. With the right connections and the right strategy, veterans can land roles that actually fit their skills and values, without spending months stuck in job search limbo.
Finding the Right Fit: Why Schneider Electric?
Damion had offers from Amazon, AWE, and Schneider Electric, but Schneider’s values and mission sealed the deal.
"Schneider aligned with my own values and standards," he explains. "They have a strong sense of purpose and social responsibility… I knew that’s where I needed to be."
For many veterans, this is the key: it’s not just about a job; it’s about purpose. After years of serving with a clear mission, the transition can feel empty unless the new role aligns with those same principles. Schneider Electric’s IMPACT values provided that alignment.
"When I looked at their values, I realised they were similar to what I lived by in the Army. That underpins everything they do, and I wanted to be part of that."
Life at Schneider Electric: Applying Military Leadership
Now an Operations Manager for Digital Power Systems, Damion oversees over 110 projects that provide power monitoring, automation, and quality solutions for critical infrastructure like data centres, hospitals, and banks.
"The last six months have been the most intense of my life, but my team has been incredibly supportive," he says. "The collaborative culture reminds me a lot of the military."
His leadership experience is already proving valuable.
"Modern military leadership is transformational, not transactional," he explains. "That’s what makes the transition smoother, you bring those skills with you."
Damion’s Advice for Other Veterans
If you’re leaving the military, Damion’s advice is simple:
✔ Trust your skills. The military has prepared you for more than you think.
✔ Don’t just chase job titles. Look for companies that align with your values.
✔ Stay resilient. There are people out there who want to help, you just have to find them.
And most importantly?
"Have confidence in yourself. There’ll be moments where you doubt your purpose, but trust me, you’ll get there."
Damion’s story proves that with the right guidance and the right opportunities, the transition to civilian life doesn’t have to be lonely or frustrating.
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