A former RAF corporal in Suffolk wants more support for veterans leaving the military
Anthony Williams spent 12 years in the RAF before being medically discharged after losing his hearing.
As Armed Forces Week (22–28 June) shines a light on the journeys of veterans transitioning into civilian life, one former RAF corporal says he wants to see more support for veterans leaving the military and is calling on others to make the most of every opportunity available.
"There were a lot of dark days"
Anthony Williams, known as Tony, served for 12 years in the RAF Regiment, with tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Based at RAF Honington in Suffolk, Tony reflects on how vital support was when he left military life behind.
But after learning he wouldn't be progressing further in his career due to hearing loss, he had to figure out what else to do.
We asked him what it was like when he learnt he had to leave the profession he loved.
"It was just shock and a bit of panic at the same time. There were a lot of dark days because, essentially, my future was being pulled from underneath me, not through any fault of my own. I always thought my future would be through the military, and going through that initial period, it was hard to see what my options were, and that's where thankfully the likes of the resettlement team."
“I probably would still be sitting there just in that miserable dark time"
The Resettlement team help Tony to figure out what he could do next and what skills h'ed acquired from the military that would work in other professions.
“I probably would still be sitting there just in that miserable dark time,” he said. “It gave me that… actually, there is a lot out there.”
Tony credits the resettlement team and the Centrica Armed Forces Pathway for helping him navigate the unknown. “Once you sign up to receive, get in touch through phone calls... they would help you find the right information and give you the right direction,” he said.
They also took into consideration his hearing. He said managing the condition was a challenge, but not a barrier. “It’s just part and parcel of the day-to-day” he said. “You don’t want to be a burden on your employer… but the pathway team… mitigate any issues that they may find.”
Support from the British Legion also helped, supplying hearing aids. “I’ve managed to lend myself that I don’t really require the hearing aids. I can manage quite happily without them,” he explained.
Tony now works as an electrician and wants others to know that qualifications, or a lack of them, shouldn’t hold anyone back. “You’ve got transferable skills. Have the conversation, especially with the pathway team,” he said. “Get in touch. Don’t be held back by qualifications.”
"Don't let them become a number"
But he's aware that many others haven't had the same opportunities as him.
"My big ask would be for the military as the command staff, it's not to take away the option, but steer them heavily into that resettlement phase. Don't let them (other veterans) just sit behind and become just a number where they're left alone, or when they get that discharge, they're just forgotten.
We asked what he would like to see to ensure everyone has equal opportunities is re-acclimatising to civilian life.
He believes there should be a bigger focus on those who have received a discharge and are in the process of resettling.
"They should be forced into some sort of group... where the troops can come together and come up with their own ideas."
His message to those leaving the Armed Forces? “Do not sit around. Get involved in whatever you can. Take every course that’s given to you and run with every opportunity.”