Interserve electrical engineer Graham Hervin has urged people to consider signing-up to become Reservists as the company celebrates Reserve Forces Day.
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career.
The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of our Armed Forces personnel and as such are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas, particularly providing capability in specialist areas such as medical, engineering and cyber.
Reserves Day is celebrated on Wednesday June 24th and Mr Hervin has encouraged people to consider joining the military in this capacity.
Mr Hervin, who works as a mobile engineer in Interserve’s National Maintenance Network, has been in the RAF Reserves for 30-years. He works with the Reserves 11 weekends per year and commits to a fortnight-long Annual Continuous Training event, but also undertakes longer periods as required.
The father-of-two, from Wiltshire, said: “I love being an RAF Reservist. The camaraderie is fantastic, it’s given me the chance to see the world and I’ve learned a great deal from the experience.
“It’s a commitment. It is hard enough getting the work life balance right, let alone being a Reservist on top of that. But I’ve had a great time doing it and would strongly encourage others to consider the role.
“Interserve has also been superb. The company provides two-weeks paid leave for me to undertake the training requirement, and quite simply without that support I’d struggle to continue in the role.”
Mr Hervin joined as a Reservist in 1991 and is currently based with 4624 County of Oxford Movements Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which is based at RAF Brize Norton. Mr Hervin carries out logistical support for worldwide operations and next month will be preparing for a role as part of Operation Kipion in the Middle East for a minimum of six months.
Mr Hervin said: “Some of the skills are transferable, such as an ability to prioritise, to be a team player and to be able to cope well under pressure.
“I come from a military family and this has given me the opportunity to gain military experience while also developing a civilian career.
“I’m looking forward to Operation Kipion, which involves supporting the Royal Navy who are protecting shipping in the Gulf and Indian Ocean.”
Interserve delivers a wide-range of TFM contracts to the UK Armed Forces, including to the military’s training estate and four foreign permanent bases – Cyprus, Gibraltar, Ascension Islands and the Falkland Islands.
Brian Talbot, Managing Director of Interserve’s Defence and Central Government business unit, said: “Interserve is committed to supporting the UK Armed Forces and we deliver a wide range of TFM contracts across the UK and abroad to the British military.
“Moreover, we are proud to support Reservists such as Mr Hervin to ensure the military can draw upon the expertise of our civilian population.
"We are very proud to support the UK Armed Forces and the vital work they do. As part of our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a long-standing commitment via our ‘Opportunities for All’ campaign which creates employment opportunities for ex-service personnel across Interserve."
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career.
The Reserve Forces make up approximately one sixth of our Armed Forces personnel and as such are integral to protecting the nation’s security at home and overseas, particularly providing capability in specialist areas such as medical, engineering and cyber.
Reserves Day is celebrated on Wednesday June 24th and Mr Hervin has encouraged people to consider joining the military in this capacity.
Mr Hervin, who works as a mobile engineer in Interserve’s National Maintenance Network, has been in the RAF Reserves for 30-years. He works with the Reserves 11 weekends per year and commits to a fortnight-long Annual Continuous Training event, but also undertakes longer periods as required.
The father-of-two, from Wiltshire, said: “I love being an RAF Reservist. The camaraderie is fantastic, it’s given me the chance to see the world and I’ve learned a great deal from the experience.
“It’s a commitment. It is hard enough getting the work life balance right, let alone being a Reservist on top of that. But I’ve had a great time doing it and would strongly encourage others to consider the role.
“Interserve has also been superb. The company provides two-weeks paid leave for me to undertake the training requirement, and quite simply without that support I’d struggle to continue in the role.”
Mr Hervin joined as a Reservist in 1991 and is currently based with 4624 County of Oxford Movements Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force, which is based at RAF Brize Norton. Mr Hervin carries out logistical support for worldwide operations and next month will be preparing for a role as part of Operation Kipion in the Middle East for a minimum of six months.
Mr Hervin said: “Some of the skills are transferable, such as an ability to prioritise, to be a team player and to be able to cope well under pressure.
“I come from a military family and this has given me the opportunity to gain military experience while also developing a civilian career.
“I’m looking forward to Operation Kipion, which involves supporting the Royal Navy who are protecting shipping in the Gulf and Indian Ocean.”
Interserve delivers a wide-range of TFM contracts to the UK Armed Forces, including to the military’s training estate and four foreign permanent bases – Cyprus, Gibraltar, Ascension Islands and the Falkland Islands.
Brian Talbot, Managing Director of Interserve’s Defence and Central Government business unit, said: “Interserve is committed to supporting the UK Armed Forces and we deliver a wide range of TFM contracts across the UK and abroad to the British military.
“Moreover, we are proud to support Reservists such as Mr Hervin to ensure the military can draw upon the expertise of our civilian population.
"We are very proud to support the UK Armed Forces and the vital work they do. As part of our ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a long-standing commitment via our ‘Opportunities for All’ campaign which creates employment opportunities for ex-service personnel across Interserve."