Supporting Our Armed Forces – Reservist Bradley Doran

Armed Forces Week provides a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving personnel to Service families, veterans and cadets. Showing support for the Armed Forces provides a much-valued morale boost for serving personnel, veterans and their families.

Many local communities and businesses in the UK, including Waterman Aspen, have committed to supporting Armed Forces personnel past and present by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Here’s what Bradley Doran had to say about his role as a Reservist and how he juggles this alongside his career as a Highway Engineer.

“I joined the Army Reserve in 2022 as a Musician in the Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. The band supports the British Army at ceremonial occasions. Since joining as a Reservist, I have completed my basic training, performed at events in Scotland for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, played The Last Post at a Scottish National War Memorial, took part in the King’s Coronation procession with a regular band, attended annual camps and, most recently, performed in a joint concert with the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland at the Scotland’s Salute concert which commemorated the 80^th anniversary of D-Day.

It is important to support Reservists in their civilian careers as it can sometimes be difficult to manage the time commitment of having two careers. With employer support, I can feel valued and be able to carry out my work effectively. Reservists and veterans bring transferrable skills to their employment from their military background, which includes leadership skills and resilience when working under pressure. The ability to exercise sound judgement and communicate complex problems effectively, -and upholding values and standards including respect for others, integrity, discipline, loyalty and courage – are also key attributes that colleagues from a military background can bring.

Waterman Aspen values these attributes and provides me with an additional two weeks of leave per year so that I can complete my two week annual training camp. They also have an Armed Forces Working Group which acts as a support mechanism to myself and others within the business. My line managers have also been supportive in allowing me to request and take time off which can often be at short notice. “

Duot Ajang is another Reservist colleague at Waterman Aspen. Read his story and some more details about the importance Waterman Aspen places on the Armed Forces Covenant.