I... Series One
Every journey begins with a single step
The final original press release, for Series One, 29 June 2015;
On 1st July, the first in a series of 20 weekly posters, entitled “I...am a Veteran”©, will be released nationally.
“I...am a Veteran”© seeks to show the wider populous that there is a more human and everyday face to being a Veteran beyond parades, medals and charity.
“I...am a Veteran”© is about Veterans sharing positive, personal, everyday snapshots of their lives.
“I...am a Veteran”© is about sharing Veterans' successes and integration in a positive, contemporary and honest style.
This project relies wholly on the goodwill of all participants, who have kindly supplied the photographs they feel best fits their veterans story, and is entirely self-funded. All I ask is that you kindly consider joining the Royal Air Force, MoD Business Services, the Directorate of Defence Communications and Johnny Mercer MP in helping to promote the campaign in your communities by sharing just one image during the campaign period in your workplaces, corporate publications, websites or Twitter feeds to help stimulate interest and support.
If you see yourself below and would like to add details to your story please do get in contact via the welcome page.
The Faces of I... Series One
Below are the twenty-one posters and stories that featured in Series One of I...
Hugh Hamilton
Hugh served with the Territorial Army as a second lieutenant in 204 Battery (Tyneside Scottish) RA (V) for two years. Today, Hugh’s enjoying retirement after finishing his career as Head of the Department for Visual Communication within Nottingham Trent University’s School of Art and Design, and has now returned to Fine Art Photography.
Hugh's advice for the service leaver; "I have two bits of advice: firstly be fiercely ambitious, do not be defined by what you were, be defined by what you want to do. Do the hard thing not the easy thing. Secondly, serving gives you skills that are valued outside of the forces. Work to identify them as they may well surprise you, mine was presenting - talking about tennis balls in a dark cold Gun Park - which lead directly to a career as a lecturer. Believe you can do it".
Hugh, as a veteran, "I am a Veteran who works in Art and Design".
Hugh’s poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Neil Poynter
Micky Plummer
M icky served in the Royal Navy as a Leading Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineer) for thirteen years. Today he works as a Night shift Mechanical and Electrical Engineer for Harper Collins UK.
Micky's advice for the service leaver; "know what you want to do and have a plan, but don’t be afraid to make changes as required ! "
Micky as a veteran; "I…… am not afraid to take chances and pursue different avenues' !"
Micky’s poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Marcus Hope
Rosemarie DaCosta
"I was a WRAF officer, commissioned into the Admin/Secretarial Branc. I completed my 4 year short service commission in 1976. I am now retired but finished my working life as the Manager of Lincoln Citizens Advice Bureau. I worked in the charity sector for many years moving around the UK with my RAF pilot husband. 4My advice for those who are leaving; Ensure that you can show how transferable your military gained skills actually are! I am proud to have served my Queen and Country and made friends for life".
Rosemarie's poster had been kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Richard Louth
Mike Payne
Mike’s poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Mike served in the Infantry for eight and is now settling down into retirement . What advice would you give to those about to leave? Look forward, trust in yourself and make the transition work for you. I finally asked Mike how he would describe him,self as a Veteran, starting with "I..."
"I am an ex-serviceman.”
Norman Hart
"I served in the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) from Oct 1990 till Stand down in Sept 1991.....Our Colour's use to hang in the Rotunda at RAFC Cranwell but were dislodged and relodged in St Clement Dane London in 2016 and on 1st Nov 2017 our old Benevolent Fund was taken over by the RAFBF and since then they have supplied a recliner chair for my wife Christine. We [ROC] were classed as part time uniformed civil servants wearing RAF Type Uniforms and Long Service Medals we were the Eyes and Ears of the RAF from 1925 till final closedown of ALL posts in Dec 1995 (70 proud years serving King and then Queen)2.
Dr. Mary Read
"I am still Army Medical Services, RAMC medical support officer. I commissioned into the UOTC in 1992 having been in the cadets in school. I haven’t left yet, completely but my advice to those serving is not to take the benefits for granted. It’s still difficult to actually understand how much you get from the services until you’re not in them anymore. That applies financially as well as to networks of colleagues for work and support from friends in times of personal challenge.
I am an advocate of ‘best of both worlds’ the Reserves are great!
I still have a reserve liability. I mobilised during covid after my command which was also amazing. Now I feel like (some days anyway) I am gaining something back as my job is reserves focussed".
Dave Butterfield
"Engineering Technician Airframes was my official title and Junior Technician was my rank ( doesn’t do it justice ) classed as trade group 1 back then . It’s now engines airframes or heavy mechanical . I currently am employed as an Able seaman or AB on a Humber river tug . Be humble and remember no one in the outside world knows what you’ve done in the military family . It’s like been reborn into a different world where language is different and people respond differently. This can and will cause some adjustments issues but remember how many transferable skills you have? The more important is adaptability “ I am ….the product of the experiences and training given and therefore a valuable asset to any situation. I may not know it...".
Caroline Paige MBE
Caroline was the first openly-serving transgender officer in the British Armed Forces. She is now Director of her own company and her autobiography, True Colours, was first published on 6 March 2017 (Biteback Publishing).
Caroline was awarded the MBE following her work to support LGBTQ+ veterans in the 2023 New Years Honours.
Caroline's poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Carole Arnold
Darren Blank
Darren was in the Corps of Royal Engineers, serving as a Clerk of Works for fifteen years. Today Darren works in Civil Engineering as a Senior Project Manager. Darren’s advice for service leavers; “Don't be afraid, the soft skills and attributes you possess will stand you ahead of your peers, exploit them!”
On being a veteran Darren says “I am a proud ex-servicemen whom has a lot to be thankful for. The experiences I had whilst serving, both good and bad have formed me into a resilient professional engineer and a man of integrity and honesty. I will forever be proud to be a veteran”.
Darren’s poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Becky Kinroy-Taylor
"I was initially TG12(RAF) then commissioned to Pers Sec (now Pers Ops). I served for 22 years on my original contract. My current job role is: Wg Cdr Taylor - Project Delivery Manager, Military Optimisation Team at MOD MB London (FTRS - RAFR) Advice to those leaving - Don't be afraid of doing the things you've always wanted to do/try but your Service commitments prevented you from doing so. Never accept the mundane - you are highly trained and more capable than you think. Don't be afraid to go back! Time out of the Service is refreshing and rewarding but do consider joining the Reserves for that 'feels like home' experience but on YOUR terms I am happier than I thought I could be. I have balanced a whole life career with family and civilian work experiences and have learned so much about myself from the unique combination. I am a Veteran".
Becky's poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Emma Evans
“I was RAF Police, qualified in Counter Inettligence (CI) & Computer Security (CSy). I served 21 years 11 months, 3 weeks until I was Medically Discharged for Sacroiliac Dysfunction (SIJ) which they tried to fix for 5years then gave up!
I no longer work as the SIJ Means I cannot stand for long, sit for long or walk much at all and I am reliant on a walking stick now. For leavers now, I'm not sure as I had quite a bad leaving experience, but I would advise they ensure they have somewhere to live, and to use the military education system to its maximum before exit.
I AM A PROUD VETERAN”.
Emma's poster had been kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Jasper Mann
"I joined 2 Light Infantry, which later became 3 RIFLES serving for 10 years, today I work as an Electrician. My advise to service leavers is to be creative and find something you love, try lots of different jobs, don't follow everyone else. I am a happy veteran, enjoyed my time in service, got out at the right time, now enjoying being a civilian".
Del Young
"I was in the WRAF and was a Telecommunications Operator ( TCO) We were known as Trade Group 11. I served just under 6 years. I joined up in Feb 81 and came out on marriage grounds at the end of 86. Unfortunately my trade was becoming obsolete, so I could not use my service qualifications in Civvy street. Whilst I was a stay at home mum and ‘wife of’ I went back to night school and obtained 3 GCSEs and then went to college to do my Access to Nursing. I’m currently a Registered Nurse and have working as a senior staff nurse in Endocrine and Acute Medicine for the last 20 mths. I previously worked in Trauma and Orthopaedics for 17 years.
The advice I’d give to those about to leave the armed forces was firstly ensure you have a career to build on after finishing your service. Or whilst serving plan ahead for the time when you leave and take full advantage of the online military courses available to you. A discussion with your careers officer for help and advice in preparing yourself for civvy street. When you have a career lined up, it can ease the transition that is necessary for successful military resettlement.
I am very proud to have served in the WRAF. Both my parents served in the Royal Air Force and my youngest daughter is also now serving. I’m even more proud to say that there were 3 generations of us women serving in the RAF. During my time in the WRAF I learned how to work well in teams and understand the importance of discipline and cooperation. I have transferred these principles throughout my nursing career. I truly believe that my time in the service has helped me become the person I am today. During, and after my time in the service I have gained some life-long friendships that I truly cherish".
Del's poster was kindly shared by Veterans UK.
Series One Compilation Poster
This poster features the faces of the twenty veterans who kindly volunteered to be a part of I... Series One.
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