Today is Armed Forces Day, a chance to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans, and cadets.
Here at Chemring, we are proud of our continued support and commitment to the Armed Forces community.
In celebration of Armed Forces Day, we caught up with Wez, Software Engineer at Roke, to learn about his time in the Royal Air Force as a Movements Controller.
Tell us about your military career
I served from 2008 until 2021 (13 years) as a Movements Controller in the Royal Air Force. This entailed passenger movements, prepping cargo and dangerous goods for transportation via air, e.g. building cargo to an aircraft pallet or presenting customs paperwork. The physical loading and unloading of aircraft and accompanying weight and balance to maximise fuel efficiencies. Tactical and strategic operation and exercise planning and execution. I completed many overseas tours ranging from Afghanistan, Cyprus, and Qatar to the UAE.
How did you end up at Chemring?
Whilst still serving, I knew I needed to leave with some qualification; therefore, I studied for a degree with the Open University to smooth my transition. I joined Roke through a two year graduate programme as I made a career change from logistics to technology. This also allowed me to build confidence and a professional network whilst settling in. With Roke’s creation of the Roke Academy, this is an ideal entry pathway for those without any formal qualifications.
What's your role at Chemring?
My official title is Graduate Engineer, as I joined Roke via the graduate scheme. However, I am employed as a software engineer and cyber security researcher. This sees me creating technical solutions to our customer’s problems expressed through programming languages such as C, C++ or JavaScript.
Were you aware of Chemring when you were in the military?
I knew loosely about Chemring Counter Measures (CCM) since it supplied the RAF with aircraft flares. However, I was unaware of other businesses within the Chemring group.
What do you miss the most about military life?
Certainly not the mess/cookhouse food. I miss the banter and the excitement of being on Ops.
What do you enjoy about your current role?
Each day brings different challenges, and I am constantly learning. I’ve learned so much in the past 18 months, from Agile software engineering practises to embedded hardware. It’s refreshing that I’m not nailed down to a single subject area; I can actively seek project work that fits my current priorities or interests.
Do you think Chemring is a good fit for veterans?
Yes, as a first job after leaving the Armed Forces, Chemring has some very good support mechanisms in place. Such as Roke’s Veteran’s Employee Resource Group; this group meets weekly for NAAFI breaks and quarterly for a free breakfast. This is an ideal space for veterans to let off a bit of steam and spin dits.