Service Overview

Paul Blythe served in the Royal Navy for 29 years, specialising in submarine warfare. Rising to the rank of Commander, his career spanned a wide range of operational and leadership roles. His journey began in 1987 with basic training at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, and continued through various sea training assignments. Over the years, Paul served aboard numerous submarines including HMS Turbulent, Opossum, Victorious, Trenchant, Triumph, Sovereign, Vengeance, and Vanguard. His roles ranged from Communications Officer and Navigator to Executive Officer and ultimately Captain of two nuclear deterrent submarines. He also held strategic positions such as Submarine Operations Officer at Fleet HQ, Officers’ Career Manager in Portsmouth, and Nuclear Policy & Operations Officer at the Ministry of Defence.

 

Inspiration to Join the Royal Navy

Paul originally aspired to join the Merchant Navy to see the world. However, the economic recession of the 1980s led to the collapse of the British Mercantile fleet and the loss of five job offers. He pivoted to the Royal Navy, receiving a scholarship as a Warfare Officer. The Navy even provided a grant to his mother so he could complete his A-levels. His passion for the sea and ambition to command a vessel remained constant, ultimately fulfilled through his distinguished naval career.

 

Career Highlights and Memorable Moments

Paul’s service was filled with defining experiences. He vividly recalls stepping aboard HMS Vengeance as Captain for the first time and the realisation that full responsibility rested on his shoulders. Other standout moments include mentoring junior officers who later acknowledged his influence, navigating to periscope depth solo for the first time, and piloting his first port exit. His operational highlights include tracking enemy submarines, participating in the first Royal Navy submarine visit to Russia since WWII, and surviving high-risk incidents such as emergency dives, seabed collisions, and being bombed. These experiences shaped his leadership and resilience under pressure.

 

Transition to Civilian Life

Paul’s transition to civilian life occurred in phases. Initially, he worked as a Project Manager for Jacobs, advising on the Dreadnought programme—an extension of his naval expertise. He then spent three years as a self-employed contractor, working in the UK and abroad, including Taiwan. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this path, leading to a challenging period of unemployment. He later took on a role in Germany as a Senior Commissioning Engineer and Programme Manager for a biotech firm, overseeing the scale-up of vaccine production. When the pandemic ended that role, Paul returned to the UK and joined Delkia. He considers 2020 the true point of departure from his naval identity, as it marked the first time he had no direct link to his military career.

 

Applying Military Experience in Civilian Work

Paul’s military background continues to influence his professional life. He credits the Royal Navy with teaching him the value of people, prioritisation, and the balance of humility with confidence. His leadership style is grounded in emotional intelligence, common sense, and the ability to make clear, timely decisions. These qualities have proven essential in both technical and managerial roles.

 

Core Values and Skills

The skills Paul developed in the Navy—leadership, emotional intelligence, organisation, and planning—remain central to his civilian work. He emphasises the importance of pausing before making decisions and maintaining a grounded, people-focused approach.

 

Advice to Fellow Veterans

Paul encourages veterans to seek mentorship, ask for advice, and persist through challenges. He reminds them that the transition to civilian life is different for everyone and that it’s okay to struggle. His message is one of community and support: “There is a family of veterans out here that really do care for each other. Please ask—you will be pleasantly surprised how many friends you really do have (many that you have not met—yet).”