Blog: From Service to Specialist

Suren shares how his military background has shaped his career at AWE.

After completing secondary education and gaining early experience in sales, I reached a pivotal moment in my life: deciding on a career that offered purpose and challenge. Inspired by a family connection to the Armed Forces, I chose to join the Army – a decision that shaped the next 25 years of my life.

WHAT SKILLS DID YOU PICK UP?

During my military career, I served on multiple operational deployments across the globe and I developed skills in precision, strategy, and resilience under pressure. These experiences have taught me the value of teamwork, adaptability, and leadership, all qualities that remain central to everything I do today.

In 2025, I transitioned from full-time military service to the Army Reserves, continuing my commitment to defence while embarking on a new chapter in the civilian sector. Today, I oversee complex assembly operations. My role involves providing visible leadership, motivating teams, and ensuring high standards of performance to meet customer requirements.

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Our work carries national significance and demands the same level of duty and integrity. While the tools and environment have changed, the importance of your contribution remains powerful.

Suren

My advice to others considering the transition from military is to leverage your transferable skills – discipline, leadership, problem-solving: these are gold in any role at AWE.

Embrace the change, stay curious, and lead with confidence!

At AWE, we proudly support veterans and reservists through our Special Leave policy, recognising the valuable skills and experience they bring to our mission of national security.

Employees who serve in the UK Reserve Forces, including cadet instructors, are eligible for up to 10 days of special paid leave annually for military training, with additional unpaid leave available at managerial discretion.

If mobilised, veterans are placed on unpaid leave for the duration of their operational duty, with support provided for pension arrangements. We value the dedication of those who have served and actively encourage veterans to explore career opportunities at AWE, where your service continues in a new and vital way.