After 24 years in the Royal Navy, Martyn faced a significant transition when he left the military.
Having joined at 17, his career spanned roles from Sonar Operator to Petty Officer Seaman Specialist, with responsibilities including boat handling, replenishment at sea, and tactical communications.
“I absolutely loved my time in the Navy. I went all over the world,” Martyn shares. His final post was at King’s Harbour Master (KHM) in Devonport, where he coordinated ship movements. When the military civilianised the role, Martyn stepped into it as an Assistant Movements Officer for the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
“There was no downtime between those two phases of my career,” he recalls. “I left the Navy on a Thursday and came back as a civilian on Friday, doing the same job.
In 2023, Martyn joined Serco as an Operations Controller, coordinating vessel logistics — a role closely tied to his naval experience. He was quickly promoted to Operations Coordinator, overseeing the ops room. “It’s funny,” he says. “In the Navy, I’d call Serco to request vessels. Now, I’m on the other side, answering those calls.”
Martyn’s knowledge of Devonport dockyard and naval operations proved invaluable. “I already knew half the job because I’d worked alongside Serco during my naval career,” he explains. His ability to understand both military and civilian perspectives has been a key asset. “When the MOD asks for something that seems out of the ordinary, I can explain why — because I’ve been there.”
While many skills transferred smoothly, some areas required adjustment. “HR and finance were new to me,” Martyn shares. “In the Navy, you have specialists for that. But at Serco, my manager has been great in mentoring me to help bridge any gaps, and I’m learning as I go.”
Martyn also credits the Navy for instilling vital soft skills. “You learn to juggle multiple tasks and think on your feet. That’s helped me deal with the fast pace and problem-solving this role demands.
For other veterans considering civilian careers, Martyn has practical advice. “Your military experience is more valuable than you think. The key is learning how to translate it into civilian terms,” he says. He also encourages veterans to network and explore industries that align with their expertise.
At Serco, veterans like Martyn thrive in an environment that values their skills. “There are lots of ex-military personnel here, and it creates a great sense of community,” he notes. “Serco has been brilliant. They’ve supported my transition and growth every step of the way.”
With his sights set on further progression, Martyn reflects on his journey. “It’s been rewarding to use my Navy experience in a new way. I’ve still got a lot to learn, but I’m excited for what’s next.”
At Serco, we're proud to support service leavers into secure and meaningful civilian careers. In fact, we were one of the first companies to publicly commit to the Armed Forces Covenant, launched by the Armed Forces Minister in 2013. With over 2,400 veterans in our UK team, this is a great place to find support and community when you resettle.