RMC Annual Review 2020-21 digital (1) - Flipbook - Page 58
Never above you, never below you, always by your side
Transition support
We see
solutions
— not problems
Michael Tearney
Michael joined the Royal Marines
in May 2010 and served for 10
years, including operational tours
of Afghanistan. Sadly, Michael’s
career was cut short when he was
medically discharged from the Royal
Marines due to hearing loss.
Michael knew that he wanted to study
to become a Marine Biologist. However,
to do that he needed some assistance.
“I got in touch with the RMA to see if I
could get help with funding my Access
to Higher Education Course in Science
and Maths. I needed this course to
enable me to reach my final goal, which
is to study at University to become
a Marine Biologist. I had recently
been medically discharged from the
Royal Marines (June 2020) and with
COVID-19 affecting everyone I found
it difficult to find another job. This was
compounded by the fact that as my
wife is a teacher and therefore a key
worker, so during the pandemic I had to
be at home to look after our children.
The college course was costing me
£2,600. On top of this, with the
challenges of COVID-19, many of the
lessons had to be done remotely,
meaning I needed to purchase a laptop.
This was a big worry for me with no
job opportunities coming up and
having to juggle paying a mortgage/
bills and supporting my family of four.”
58
“You have been a
massive part of
my resettlement
into civilian life,
without you it
would not have
been possible.”
James Paterson
“The Employment & Education team
was amazing from the very first call.
They were supportive, attentive and
very understanding. Being an exmarine, asking for assistance is not
easy but sometimes you just need
to admit to yourself that you need
that little extra help. I explained my
situation and after filling out a few
forms and providing some personal
paperwork (outgoing bills etc.)
the Charity agreed to help me.
The RMA took over the payments and
paid the rest of the course for me.
The stress that took away from my
shoulders was amazing, I knew myself
and my family wouldn’t struggle to pay
our bills and I could put 100% focus
into the college course with the aim
of being accepted into University.”
Michael has now nearly completed
his Access course and has also
had his interview for Plymouth
University. On the 15th of March
2021 Michael received an offer
from Plymouth University to study
Marine Biology and Oceanography.
The problem:
A medically discharged
Royal Marine unable
to follow his dream
of becoming a
Marine Biologist.
The solution:
The Charity provided
funding to help him
complete his access to
to
higher education
educationcourse.
course
The outcome:
Michael has now
been accepted into
University to study
Marine Biology and
Oceanography.
“I really could not have done this
without the support of the Charity.
The help they give families can be
life changing. I really don’t think I
could have progressed with this
career if it was not for the RMA.
James was badly injured whilst on
operations with 45 Commando, which
resulted in spinal surgery and ended
his 10-year career as a Royal Marine.
“I was looked after physically and
mentally by Hasler NSRC based in
Plymouth. During this time, I received
intense physiotherapy and underwent
resettlement as I knew my career was
coming to an end. This is where RMA The Royal Marines Charity came in and
really made a huge impact on my life.”
James expressed a keen interest in
becoming a domestic gas engineer.
Having proved that there was demand
for that trade and that a qualification
would lead to work, RMA – The Royal
Marines Charity provided funding for
him to train as a qualified gas engineer.
“Without this input I would never
have been able to afford this
career change as my wife was out
of work due to having just given
birth to our daughter, Esther.”
Sadly, no one had foreseen the
impact that COVID-19 would
have across the world.
“I had a job lined up in Scotland
and my plan was to resettle from
Plymouth to Glasgow as soon as
I was discharged from service.
Celebrating the 75th Year of the RMA
www.rma-trmc.org
RMA - The Royal Marines Charity
yet again went the extra mile
by supplying me with tools and
equipment such as DeWalt power
tools and a flue gas analyser. This
was just as well because due to the
COVID-19 pandemic my employment
opportunity vanished overnight.”
James was undeterred and determined
to make his new career a success so
he could provide for his family.
“I managed to get my name out there
and found employment 2 weeks
later in Glasgow. I worked mainly
as a breakdown engineer now and
my family and I are in a really good
place. We have managed to buy
a 2-bedroom house just outside
Glasgow and I truly believe that
without the support and care of RMA
– The Royal Marines Charity none
of this would have been possible.
The problem:
His Royal Marines career
ended prematurely
due to injury.
The solution:
The charity provided
funding for him to
re‑train, purchase
tools and relocate.
The outcome:
James now has a
successful small
business and is able to
provide for his family.
I will probably never be able to
thank you enough for paying for
my resettlement and supplying
me with tools that I use every
day in order to make a living in
a very rewarding career.”
James has since set up his own
company ‘J Paterson Plumbing
and Heating’ and he is helping
veterans re-train as gas engineers.
59
