Opportunities Working in the Ministry of Defence

Hi, my name is Simon and I’ve worked for the MOD now for 41 years. I’ve been very lucky with all the opportunities the MOD has offered me and have had a very varied and enjoyable career.

I first joined the Civil Service at 18 after completing my A-levels as an Assistant Scientific Officer at the Met Office which, at the time, was part of the MOD. I saw an ad in the Daily Express, and it was a chance to put my interest and knowledge in geography and science into a career. After 18 years I moved from working in Operational Meteorology, having worked all around the UK, Falkland Islands and Germany into the HR profession, and this year I’ve just been promoted into my ideal role, working as an HR Business Partner. I have been supported throughout my journey by the MOD helping me achieve my CIPD status and growing into a qualified HR professional.

Throughout my career I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a significant amount of time working overseas in various roles. These opportunities have been invaluable to both me and my family, with living overseas exposing us to a diverse range of cultures and lived experiences, living, and working closely with military colleagues and their families. There are lots of opportunities to move around within the Civil Service and you can enjoy a varied career.

I've had a diverse and rewarding career from providing meteorological and weather data in operational environments, to giving HR advise and support to the BBC Weather Team – I was partially responsible for bringing Tom Schafernaker and Matt Taylor onto the team! Working in defence I can see how my work has an impact on the wider MOD responding to real world events and I really feel part of something that is key to supporting the UK as a whole, making a real difference. The opportunities I’ve had have been incredible and I’d strongly encourage anyone to consider working within the Ministry of Defence.

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