Two Network Rail staff with military backgrounds are helping service leavers find rewarding new careers in rail.
The rail industry employs thousands of ex-armed forces personnel and many of its staff are also reservists, military spouses, and adult cadet instructors. While working in rail may not seem quite as exciting as a military career, the industry offers its own unique challenges and rewards and is an ideal choice for those seeking a similar experience.
In addition to bringing valuable manpower, veterans and reservists offer a wealth of experience and qualities that align perfectly with the demands of the rail industry. With a wide variety of roles available across multiple disciplines, they have the flexibility to apply their skills in countless ways.
Whether it’s contributing to the construction and upkeep of network infrastructure, maintaining locomotives and trackside equipment, or ensuring stations operate smoothly and passengers stay informed, the range of opportunities is vast.
Supporting service-leavers
Charlotte and Garry Greenwood are joint Armed Forces Network Leads representing the North and East Route for Network Rail. They are a husband-and-wife duo of armed forces veteran and reservist, helping support the military community in and around their route.
“As an associate sponsor, I work closely with key stakeholders including the Department for Transport, local and combined authorities, and businesses within Leeds Station, to ensure projects align with business goals,” says Charlotte. “My role involves maintaining transparency by communicating project updates and addressing stakeholder concerns to keep projects on track.
“Alongside my career in rail, I also serve as an army reservist with the 4th Battalion, Royal Yorkshire Regiment. This role has provided me with incredible opportunities to travel, experience new sports, and enhance my leadership, confidence, and skill set through soldier training.”
A former communications systems operator for the Royal Signals, Garry now works as a technical surveyor at Network Rail, managing compliance and consents for retail units within Network Rail-managed stations in the Eastern region.
“My role involves working on the estate management of retail assets, supporting investment programmes to enhance infrastructure, and ensuring the efficient maintenance of retail spaces,” he says. “I also contribute to the delivery of maintenance, renewal, and enhancement programmes, as well as supporting the progress of Landlord’s Consent (LLC) applications.”
In their role as Armed Forces Network Leads, Charlotte and Garry play a vital role in supporting service leavers as they transition into civilian careers. This includes offering 1:1 coaching, CV workshops, and interview preparation; arranging work placements which allow service leavers to gain practical experience in the areas they may want to pursue; and networking with colleagues for support and general wellbeing for the military community already in Network Rail.
The pair also attend careers fairs specifically for armed forces personnel, showcasing the rail industry as an excellent career path and acting as mentors throughout the application process to provide insight and encouragement.
Most recently, Charlotte and Garry held their first Rail Industry Partner Insight Day at York Rail Operating Centre (ROC), designed to give service leavers an immersive experience of careers in rail. The event, which took place on Tuesday 15 April, was packed with talks, interactive sessions, operational briefings based on real-life happenings, and walkaround tours. The event was organised in collaboration with the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP) – the official MOD resettlement service.
The aim was to introduce rail as an exciting, rewarding second career choice – not just through talks but through practical, engaging activities. Veterans who have transitioned into rail gave first-hand accounts of their experiences and evacuation demonstrations showcased the safety and response elements of the industry. A walk-through demonstration of the different roles involved in working on a stretch of track linked back to military trades and branches, highlighting the relevance of military skills to rail careers.
A key aim was to make the introduction to rail warm and welcoming, avoiding information overload or excessive industry jargon that may be unfamiliar to those without a rail background.
“Compared to previous efforts made before, we’ve tried to make this event more interactive, more diverse, and more realistic about how we are as a business and an industry,” says Charlotte. “We also managed to get organisations from across the industry involved, including LNER, Northern, and Murphy to give a more holistic overview of working in the wider rail business.”
Forces friendly
So, what makes the rail industry a great career choice for service leavers?
From their experience as both a veteran and a reservist, Charlotte and Garry say the rail industry is not too dissimilar to the military. With varied locations, a diverse workload, and a strong team dynamic, it makes for a relatively smooth transition from military life.
“If you look back through the history of the railway, it’s aways had a very big military presence, especially during wartime,” says Garry. “As a result, it has a strong military ethos and many of the ways that we work in the military are also implemented in rail.
“The industry offers structured career progression with clear development pathways which is something that a lot of military personnel look for. It offers plenty of learning and upskilling opportunities which aligns well with the continuous personal development (CPD) mindset of service personnel, and a sense of purpose as rail plays a crucial role in national infrastructure.
“Another thing it offers is a defined role. I’ve worked in so many jobs where you’re just there as an extra body who’s there for the odd job when required. In rail you have a specific job to do and can see the outcome of your work.”
“On top of all of that”, says Charlotte, “Rail provides a forces-friendly environment. Many rail partners, from operators to contractors to Network Rail itself, are members of the Armed Forces Covenant and offer specific provisions such as paid reservist leave and mentoring programmes.
“What I’ve noticed as a civilian who became a reservist, the support from Network Rail has been fabulous. We get two weeks of paid leave, support from management, and there’s an awareness of reservists throughout the company. As part of our roles, we are also helping other companies become armed forces covenant members to support their understanding as much as Network Rail. It’s clear then, that the rail industry has much to offer armed forces personnel. But the relationship doesn’t go one way. Ex-military staff and reservists make great candidates for the wide range of roles on offer in rail and can bring years of experience and know-how to the industry.
“Veterans, reservists, and cadet instructors all bring a wealth of highly transferable skills that are highly valued in rail” says Charlotte. “These include leadership and teamwork; problem-solving; resilience and discipline; communication and coordination; and commitment and responsibility. They also tend to have a strong willingness to get on and do the job.”
It’s no surprise that these are exactly the type of attributes that the industry looks for in job candidates.
A change of pace
There are roles for the taking, but how easy is it to transition from the armed forces into industry, and into rail in particular?
“When I left the Army, I didn’t go straight into Network Rail,” explains Garry. “At the time, we were all living through Covid which meant certain roles weren’t available. Since leaving the Army, I’ve worked as a fibre engineer, an armourer for North Yorkshire Police, and a project engineer for Siemens. Each of these roles came with its own transition challenges from military life. Fortunately, my time at Siemens gave me a head start in rail, helping me get to grips with railway terminology, safety culture, and processes before moving to Network Rail.
“One of the biggest adjustments at Network Rail was transitioning from the military’s fast-paced decision-making to a corporate environment where compliance and approvals take longer. I’ve always had a ‘get it done now’ mindset, which I believe is why veterans stand out – we push through until the job is done and done right.
“Another major shift was teamwork. In the military, you work side-by-side with your team every day. Here, colleagues are spread across the country, managing their own projects. Learning to balance time, expectations, and virtual collaboration was a key part of adapting.
While it took some time to get to grips with it all, Network Rail has been the friendliest and most enjoyable environment I’ve ever worked in, and I’ll probably never leave if it continues this way.”
Your network needs you
With major projects underway to enhance connectivity and increase capacity, there’s a steady demand for new talent. Contractors involved in these initiatives are actively seeking individuals with the experience, skills, and determination that ex-service personnel consistently bring to the table. The rail industry offers exceptional opportunities in a field that aligns closely with the values of the Armed Forces. It’s an ideal career path for those transitioning to civilian life or continuing to serve as a reservist while holding down a full-time job.
