Service Overview

Marc served in the Royal Navy for 12 and a half years as a Petty Officer Aircraft Controller. His career took him across the UK, with postings at HMNB Devonport, HMNB Portsmouth, RNAS Yeovilton, and RAF Shawbury. He was also deployed at sea aboard several Royal Navy ships, including HMS Duncan, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and HMS Albion, with additional short-term support on many others. His deployments spanned the globe, with a particular focus on Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and the East Coast of the United States.

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Inspiration to Join the Royal Navy

Marc’s decision to join the military was heavily influenced by family tradition. His father served in the Army, and both of his grandparents were in the Royal Navy—his grandmother as part of the WRNS Reserve. This strong military heritage, combined with a desire to serve, led him to pursue a career in the Royal Navy.

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Career Highlights and Memorable Moments

Among Marc’s most memorable experiences was meeting his now-wife during a deployment to the United States in 2018. He also fondly recalls crossing the Arctic Circle multiple times—earning his “Blue Nose”- a naval tradition for crossing the Arctic Circle"—and witnessing the Northern Lights from the sea, a moment he describes as more breathtaking than any photograph could capture.

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Transition to Civilian Life

Marc found the transition from military to civilian life challenging. Moving from a highly structured and demanding environment to civilian routines required a significant shift in mindset. Adjusting to spending more time at home also impacted established family routines. While he values his time in the military, Marc reflects that he might have benefited from making the move to civilian life sooner.

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Applying Military Experience in Civilian Work

Marc’s military background has shaped his approach to work, particularly in his determination to drive improvement and challenge the status quo. He notes that many of the lessons learned in service are absorbed without realising it, yet they prove invaluable in civilian roles.

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Core Values and Skills

In civilian life, strong interpersonal skills have been central to Marc’s success in his current role as a Project Manager. Whether engaging with clients, staff, or contractors, clear and confident communication is essential. He also maintains a structured daily routine, values flexibility, and is willing to put in extra effort when needed to support the business.

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Advice to Fellow Veterans

Marc encourages veterans not to undersell themselves. He emphasises that many are more qualified than they realise—the key is learning how to translate military experience into civilian terms. He also highlights the value of connecting with other ex-military professionals before interviews, which helped him during his own transition.

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Final Reflections

Marc believes that every step of his journey, from the challenges to the achievements, has shaped who he is today. He remains proud of his service and grateful for how it continues to influence his career and mindset in civilian life.