After nearly a decade of service in the Royal Air Force, Adam brought his leadership experience, operational discipline, and people-first mindset 
into civilian life, building a rewarding career and proving just how powerfully military skills translate into business.
Adam began his RAF career at the most junior rank in the infantry, progressing through the ranks to earn a Queen’s Commission as an officer. During his service, he worked primarily in force protection before moving into operational management roles, leading teams in high-pressure environments and ensuring operational readiness. What stayed with him most, however, was the camaraderie: being part of teams built on trust, discipline, and a shared commitment to achieving the mission together.
Why Adam Chose to Transition
Like many service leavers, Adam's decision to move into civilian life was shaped by both personal and professional considerations. With a young family, he wanted to dedicate more time at home while still pursuing meaningful career progression.
He also felt ready to apply the leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills developed in the RAF to a new environment one that offered fresh challenges and the opportunity to build a professional identity outside the military.
Navigating the Move from Military to Civilian Life
Adam approached his transition with a broad plan, but one that evolved over time. While he had a general sense of direction, networking with fellow veterans, researching civilian industries, and speaking with ex-forces colleagues helped him better understand where his strengths would add the most value.
His first civilian role came through the veteran community, which helped identify sectors where ex-military personnel excel and advised on relevant training and qualifications. Adam made a conscious effort to translate his military experience into civilian-friendly language, ensuring employers clearly understood the value he brought.
Translating Military Skills into Business Success
The transition wasn't without challenges. Adam was surprised by differences in communication styles, slower decision-making processes, and less rigid organisational structures. Adjusting to these cultural differences without compromising his own standards required adaptability and emotional intelligence.
That same military experience, however, proved invaluable. Leadership, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure quickly became defining strengths in his civilian roles. Over time, Adam learned to soften his communication style while maintaining clarity, accountability, and purpose.
Building a Career at Phenna Group
Adam's civilian career progressed rapidly. Moving from frontline roles into supervisory and regional management positions, he steadily took on greater responsibility. Today, he is Operations Director at Stroma, part of the Phenna Group.
Each step of his journey has built on the strong foundations laid during his time in uniform, combined with the experience gained in civilian leadership. For Adam, it's been deeply rewarding to see the tangible impact of his leadership, developing teams, improving processes, driving cultural change, and contributing to business growth.
Just as importantly, his journey has reinforced a powerful truth: military skills don't just transfer into civilian workplaces, they actively strengthen them.
Advice for Veterans Preparing to Leave the Forces
Looking back, Adam wishes he'd known just how different workplace cultures could be and how much energy is required to re-establish a professional identity outside the forces. His advice to those preparing to leave is clear: "Start early. Build your network. Learn to confidently talk about your skills in civilian terms and don't undersell your experience. Focus on the parts of your military career you enjoyed most and where you naturally excel, then target roles that align with those strengths."
Above all, Adam encourages service leavers not to follow someone else's path. Create your own, one that aligns with what you want from the next stage of your career.
Adam's story is a powerful example of how adaptability, resilience, and leadership developed in the armed forces can thrive within the Phenna Group, supporting meaningful careers while strengthening the teams and businesses they lead.
Interested in building your career at Phenna Group?
Explore our Careers for Veterans, Service Members and Military Families page to learn how we support your transition.