Ian Stirling
I joined the army at 17 to escape a difficult upbringing and a limited jobs market in my native Lancaster. I worked hard to meet the entry requirements, so the day I took my Oath of Allegiance was the proudest of my life. I had my military career mapped out in my head – driving…
I joined the army at 17 to escape a difficult upbringing and a limited jobs market in my native Lancaster. I worked hard to meet the entry requirements, so the day I took my Oath of Allegiance was the proudest of my life. I had my military career mapped out in my head – driving tank transporters.
Sadly, that world came crashing down around my ears. Having just completed the “Asthma” run, I was called to the medical officer who told me I was to be discharged on medical grounds after only 2 years. News hard to swallow after passing all entry fitness tests and completing that run ahead of the instructor!
With my military career consigned to ignominy, I returned home feeling embarrassed and humiliated. I struggled to find satisfying work, factory work, butcher, some welding, care work and finally assembly work for a fabricator followed. The military chapter of my life was hardly spoken of until I decided to take part in a charity bike ride for Help for Heroes. Long served veterans respected me for signing on the dotted line, like they had. They convinced me I should be proud to have signed and been willing to give my life for Queen and country.
I became an active fundraiser for veterans’ charities, and it was while supporting The Last Post & Don War Memorial Museum in Thornaby in 2021, that I met Darren and Phil from Veterans into Logistics. They said they could possibly obtain funding to help me achieve my dream of becoming a Class 1 HGV Driver!
Veterans into Logistics provided advice to me while I determined it was time to make a move into a career which would be sustainable for the remainder of my working life.
I am above exhilarated that I passed my Class 1 driving test at the first attempt. I am extremely grateful to all at Veterans into Logistics for securing funding for my journey through training and I would like to extend a massive thank you to the company which provided the funding for my training.
The training and support I received from all at Veterans into Logistics has been fantastic and everyone has been very welcoming and supportive; they have certainly gone that extra mile to help me find a new career. I am excited about my future, and life looks good again with my upcoming wedding and prospects of a more satisfying work-life!