Reserves Day 2023
To commemorate Reserves Day 2023 (21/06/2023), we commissioned one of our colleagues, Sally, who is a reservist with the 203 Field Hospital, to write about her experience with the Army Reserves.
Picture this, you’re responsible for recruiting new staff into your organisation and a CV comes through with the career experience of ‘Army Reservist’. What are your immediate thoughts? Is it that “This could be difficult to accommodate, as they are most likely to be deployed and away from work, creating instability and disabling continuity" or “Brilliant! Here are ready made packages of qualities that they can bring to the table”. Butterfly Data chose the second option, they embraced the open mindset which I’m ever grateful for and in return they get someone who is trained in: planning and organising, leading people, a supportive team player, and someone who can be relied upon to see a task to completion whatever it takes. In addition, because I’m with 203 Field Hospital who run military taster weekends for civilians, they also get a free, all inclusive team building weekend (Exercise Med Stretch). Admittedly, the accommodation falls far below 5 star, but the participants do get a 1cm thick roll mat, a dry space, and a 1960 sleeping bag plus 3 meals served to them which is all part of the fun. You just have to change the way you look at it!
A few myths of being a Reservist;
It's all about rolling around in the dirt and training to shoot people.
The food is terrible.
You are always told what to do, and when you are told to mobilise you have to go.
Admittedly, you are first a soldier and then your trade, so yes we all get taught to roll around, sneak up on the enemy positions, and fire a targeted shot; but those are core skills that inadvertently teach you adaptability, focus, and grit. Just like agile project management we assess the resources available, evaluate what you can achieve in the first sprint i.e. how many enemy positions we can take out. Then we regroup, check we have achieved our first aim (sprint review), plan for the next phase (sprint planning) call in backup, first aid , additional fire power as required and go for the next enemy position until finally we have achieved the mission (Project Goal).
A few truths;
You will be taken outside of your comfort zone, pushed physically and mentally.
You will have to deliver a lesson to your peers, lead your peers, and most probably feel the fear of public speaking.
You will make some great solid friends.
You will grow in confidence and trust in your own abilities.
All careers are different, I started out roaming the fields as a signaller, then a medic for an infantry Battalion, and have now moved into the planning and management space as I have switched fire into wanting more mental than physical challenges. Being a military planner in the medical and resilience space is in line with being a Project Manager for the Data and Tech projects we take on. I problem solve, offer solutions, plan the attack, and have the confidence to talk to all levels. I coach from behind or brief from the front, which are all skills that have been gained, tested, and refined just from a spare-time job.
So the takeaway is this…. If you are thinking about being a Reservist, be proactive and action it. If you are thinking about employing a Reservist, take a leap of faith… and if you want any reassurance then just ask the Butterfly Data directors Wayne Chicken and Sara Boltman as they will vouch for us.
