So now what?

[Cfnteabag]

I am an Army mechanic and have been for coming up to 8 years, I have worked on most things from generators, through normal Land Rovers and trucks and up to tanks and plant equipment. For the last year or so I have been working as a vehicle inspector, like an Army MOT.

But I am looking at being forced to leave the Army this year due to an injury, basically I have worn my hips out and find myself in pain mostof the time with any activity increasing that pain.

I love spannering and have always prided myself on my trade knowledge and skill but when I hit civvie street I don't think that I would be able to work in a civvie garage, both because of my injury and also because the Army has a very different way of working!

So bearing this in mind I am struggling to find a new direction in life! I have an NVQ level 3 in mechanical engineering, a number of licenses and driving experience and a few life experiences and things the Army teaches you like leadership and confidence.

We will probably be moving back to the south east, it is where both me and my wife are from and she has said that after 8 years of following me around she would quite like to go back to family!

After writing all this I am not really sure what the point of it is or what I am asking in this thread, I am guessing being PH that there will be some abuse but I am used to that!

[edc]

What about staying in and getting experience of managing and scheduling the works/resource then a later move to service/workshop manager based work? This makes use of your existing skills and gives you something extra to add to your bow.

[Cfnteabag]

Unfortunately staying in may not be an option as my injury causes a lot of limitations meaning I am not really much use to the Army at the moment!

[egor110]

Cfnteabag said:

Unfortunately staying in may not be an option as my injury causes a lot of limitations meaning I am not really much use to the Army at the moment!

Will your injury prevent you working in a similar role in civy street?

Plant ,tractor mechanic maybe?

[bearman68]

It's not quite the same, but a good mechanical knowlege paves the way for electrical things. Modern cars are becoming more and more electronic, and there is a deficit of auto sparks as far as I can see.
I personally went on training to facilitate this transition, and I can recommend courses if you wish.

Not sure what the future holds, but you'll be fine.

Best of luck

[Pebbles167]

Get yourself on the underground. It's what most ex squaddies in the south east seem to do. Seriously, it's littered with them.

[Tyre Tread]

egor110 said:

Cfnteabag said:

Unfortunately staying in may not be an option as my injury causes a lot of limitations meaning I am not really much use to the Army at the moment!

Will your injury prevent you working in a similar role in civy street?

Plant ,tractor mechanic maybe?

Perhaps you could have read the entirety of the OP's post:

Cfnteabag said:

...when I hit civvie street I don't think that I would be able to work in a civvie garage, both because of my injury and also because the Army has a very different way of working

[edc]

Injury aside, you will encounter different ways of working all over the place. Get used to it and adapt. Better still show you are flexible and adaptable or else you won't get on.

[egor110]

Not sure if it'll be suitable due to your injury but get on the post and work your way up the management scheme.

Our best managers have been ex services.

[Lewi25]

If it interests you, motorsport could be an option. I know of a few teams that have ex army, take a look at Support Our Paras in the BTCC. All the team are ex army and they are learning on the job, by the sounds of it your experience would come in handy.

[21TonyK]

Ever thought about teaching? You can tutor 16+ without being a qualified teacher, salaries aren't too bad and you get 13 weeks holiday a year. All colleges and a lot of schools will offer motor vehicle technician qualifications.

[Cfnteabag]

Thank you for the comments.

I will work around what I have, I am mainly working at the moment to come off/reduce the painkillers I am on.

I have looked at motorsport, I have spoken to mission motorsport and been to a couple of events so far but I dont want to make the mistake some people do and put all their eggs in one basket.

I would be interested in teaching college students as I have alsways enjoyed teaching and helping more junior soldiers.

[elanfan]

Wouldn't the army support you through hip replacements? I read Eamonn Holmes is having a double replacement and will be off TV for just 10 weeks.

Otherwise as previously mentioned lecturing or even tutoring in college or how about an insurance company motor engineer dealing with claims.

[Cfnteabag]

The problem is I am actually too young for hip replacements.

What I have done is worn away the cartilage in my hips, it is torn, damaged and in my left hip it is peeling away from the hip itself. they have been into my left hip and cleaned it up but it hasn't appeared to have helped as I am now in more pain then I was before. The wont touch my right hip for surgery until it is clear that it has workied on my left although I am getting a steroid injection into my right next week to see if that helps.

I am not helpless and I don't like to 'play' on my injury and avoid work using it as an excuse, I do quite often get told off for doing too much.

[dai1983]

I'm A VM in the RM and know what you mean about working in a civvie garage. I've recently taken up a role above my pay grade which is loads of James based fleet management work as the drivers who are meant to do it are fking idiots. I'm also the only one who's clued up on SVs despite never done the course. Current plans are to do this an extra 2 years so I'll get the half pension then GTFO!

i was considering a transfer to the RAF to be a glorified metal smith but Its an 18 month course and 3 years return of service. Typing this out I'm thinking I'd rather that than be where I am now! The new pay scheme also means I'm on a pay freeze unless I get promoted and then I'd only see £100 extra per year for the first year.

Looking outside my wife fancies emmigrating and I would especially if I could get some offshore/mining work but that looks dead at the moment. I'd consider anything remotely related to mechanics but routine servicing of modern cars doesn't appeal in the slightest.

The lad who's job I'm taking up has a similar injury and he's also getting discharged. They have said its genetic in his case so haven't given him a penny in compensation but he's getting the pension etc. The've taken the cartilage away and Implanted stem cells on both hips. Each one took 18 months of rehab but he has his MBOS next week. He's looking at grounds keeper roles.

My BFF/bromance recently left and works for BT. He earns less but is home every night and has a low mortgage living in Wales. My Mrs is from the SE (Fleet, met her on POF when I was at Bordon) so youll have to earn a decent amount to cover your rent/mortgage which is why I wouldn't want to move back there!

Anyway, less of my ranting!

[Cfnteabag]

I know what your friend means about the hours, me and my wife worked out that we can actually double our monthly income near enough if I got a job with normal hours so she can go back full time (she is a nurse)

[srob]

How about contacting some of the suppliers of the equipment you've used in your role and see whether they have any field service engineer type of roles?

Where you go around teaching and instructing and helping with dealer/military enquirees and stuff?

[Tannedbaldhead]

What about a civilian position with the REME.

[FredClogs]

Cfnteabag said:

The problem is I am actually too young for hip replacements.

What I have done is worn away the cartilage in my hips, it is torn, damaged and in my left hip it is peeling away from the hip itself. they have been into my left hip and cleaned it up but it hasn't appeared to have helped as I am now in more pain then I was before. The wont touch my right hip for surgery until it is clear that it has workied on my left although I am getting a steroid injection into my right next week to see if that helps.

I am not helpless and I don't like to 'play' on my injury and avoid work using it as an excuse, I do quite often get told off for doing too much.

I can't offer any advice on your work situation, good luck but I think I have similar injuries to you, my right hip is a bit of a mess and I have been offered the steroid injections but opted to do several rounds of physio first to loosen up some of my gluteus muscles and tighten up some of my hip flexors and it's worked wonders, I'm still aware the injury is there but the pain is much more controlled than this time last year. I don't know what sort of medical help you get in the Army and how sophisticated they are on the physio side but it might be worth getting some second opinions before the steroid injection or if it doesn't work.

[dai1983]

Tannedbaldhead said:

What about a civilian position with the REME.

The civilians I work with would be on about 30% less than the OP. I'm not sure he would want to become a grumpy, lazy, old bd which most of them are IME. Also consider that they are trying to shrink the size of the civilians working for the MOD which is a good thing due to the description I've given above.