Neil Johnson

Grenadier Guards

Neil Johnson served in the British Army for ten years between 1997 and 2007 with the Grenadier Guards. During his military career, Neil served overseas in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq, while also taking part in military exercises in Canada and Norway. His time in the Armed Forces provided him with the structure, discipline and sense of purpose that would later prove difficult to replicate in civilian life.

Following his tour of Iraq, Neil made the difficult decision to leave the Army. With a three year old son at home and his battalion preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, he felt the time had come to put his family first and begin the next chapter of his life.

Transitioning into civilian life, however, proved challenging. Neil found it difficult to adjust to a very different working environment and struggled to maintain employment. After ten years surrounded by the structure and working culture of the military, adapting to civilian workplaces was a significant change.

Reflecting on this period, Neil said, “It was very hard to keep a job down after leaving. Working with civilians was difficult because they didn't have the military way of working.”

Despite these challenges, Neil had a career ambition that stretched back many years. His father had worked as a lorry driver for more than 50 years and Neil had always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He had hoped to pursue driving while serving in the Army, but his commitments as a member of the battalion boxing team meant the opportunity never materialised.

Years after leaving the Armed Forces, Neil discovered Veterans into Logistics while searching online and saw an opportunity to finally pursue the career he had wanted for so long.

With funding and support from Veterans into Logistics, Neil was able to gain the qualifications he needed to move into professional driving. The support gave him the opportunity to turn a long held ambition into a realistic career path and begin building a future within the industry.

Neil said, “I'd always wanted to become a lorry driver. Veterans into Logistics gave me the opportunity to make that happen.”

After successfully completing his training and gaining his HGV licence, Neil moved into employment and is now working with D P Wilkinson Roofing & Building Limited. His new role has allowed him to put his qualification to use, get back behind the wheel and build a career in an area he had wanted to pursue for many years.

Outside of work, Neil is enjoying life with his family and continues another of his passions, DJing in his spare time. After the difficulties he experienced adapting to civilian employment, gaining his HGV qualification has provided a new direction and an opportunity to move forward doing something he genuinely enjoys.

Reflecting on the support he received, Neil said, “I'd like to thank everyone who helped me get my HGV licence. It's much appreciated.”

Neil's journey demonstrates that there is no time limit on finding the right career after leaving the Armed Forces. More than a decade after leaving the Grenadier Guards, the ambition he had carried with him since his military career finally became a reality.

With the right training, funding and support, Neil has been able to turn a long standing ambition into employment and begin a new chapter behind the wheel.

His story is another example of how Veterans into Logistics helps veterans overcome barriers, recognise the value of their existing skills and access opportunities that can lead to meaningful and sustainable careers within the logistics sector.