After 22 years serving with the Royal Air Force Police, I was ready to embrace a new chapter. Leaving full-time service can feel like both an exciting opportunity and a daunting shift, especially when you've spent decades immersed in a highly structured and mission-driven environment.
However, for those of us who remain passionate about service and the RAF ethos, joining the Part-Time Reserves offers an ideal path forward. By joining you stay connected to the military while having the ability to forge a rewarding career in your desired sector.
Since joining tmc3 as a Senior Security Consultant, I’ve found that my RAF experience provides a strong foundation for success in this field within security consultancy. Skills such as leadership, crisis management, and strategic problem-solving skills honed and harnessed throughout years of military service are in high demand across the cyber security industry. My experience working with our clients at tmc3 is that they look for professionals who bring clarity, discipline, and a calm methodical approach to high-pressure situations.
Why the Part-Time Reserves?
Joining the Part-Time Reserves has enabled me to maintain a strong connection to the camaraderie, sense of purpose, and core values that have defined my military career. While I sought new professional opportunities and a greater focus on personal growth and family life, I also knew that continuing to serve in some capacity was essential to me.
The Part-Time Reserves provide the ideal balance, allowing me to contribute meaningfully, remain part of a dedicated and close-knit community, and uphold the standards I value, all without the commitments of full-time service.
The RAF actively welcomes experienced personnel into the Reserve forces, making the shift a natural extension of service for those who still want to contribute their expertise.
Serving part-time has also complemented my work in cyber security consulting. Many of the core principles I relied on in the RAF, things like risk management, operational awareness, and resilience map directly to the challenges our clients are facing in cyber security today.
Balancing Two Roles: Planning, Purpose, and Professional Growth
Balancing my part-time role in the RAF Reserves with my career in cybersecurity requires strong time management and adaptability, but it also offers significant advantages for my professional growth within the security field. The RAF Reserves provide me with hands-on experience in high-stakes, mission-critical environments where structured problem-solving and rapid decision-making are essential skills that directly enhance my performance in cybersecurity roles.
Training in operational security, incident response, and leadership fosters a disciplined, analytical mindset that is vital for identifying vulnerabilities, mitigating cyber threats, and managing risk. Working within a diverse and security-focused team in the RAF Reserves also strengthens my cross-functional communication, collaboration, and situational awareness.
This dual experience broadens both my technical and strategic perspectives, builds my resilience under pressure, and positions me as an adaptable and security-conscious leader across both defence and commercial cyber environments.
By leveraging the transferable skills gained in both roles and maintaining a structured and proactive approach to scheduling, I can maximise the long-term benefits of this unique and rewarding career path.
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