Supporting veterans in agriculture and engineering

A shared story from Pam, Group Warranty Manager at Ben Burgess

As an Army daughter, wife and mum, I’m very proud to work for Ben Burgess, who have embraced helping Armed Forces veterans bring their military skills into the agricultural industry, where two contrasting careers share much common ground.

Reading and seeing photos of the journeys taken by colleagues during their times in the Armed Forces before to joining the Ben Burgess team have been fascinating – especially seeing Glenn fast-roping beneath the helicopter!. It really shows how military backgrounds provide a valuable foundation in both careers with shared operational characteristics, planning, logistics, dedication and leadership.

Since reading their stories, I have talked to my father about his father, as has retained both their RAF records. I’m looking forward to enjoying a cup of tea and hearing more of his stories of pride, humour and some sadness too.

My family has deep roots in the Armed Forces from my grandfather, to my son.

• Grandfather Paternal RAF Engine engineer on Bombers – Egypt, Suize Canal
• Grandfather Maternal RAF WW2
• Dad’s Uncles x3 RAF Intellegence Dunkirk, Admin, Tanks + Desert Rat
• Dad RAF Telegraphist Falklands War
• My Auntie Paternal ARMY Queen Alexandra Nursing Core – Cyprus
• My Uncle Paternal RAF Air frames engineer on Hercules
• My Uncle Paternal RAF Warrant Officer – Digby
• Mother RAF + ARMY / CIVILIAN – Private Secretary
• Me Army Wife ARMY Germany
• Son ARMY Royal Engineers – Currently training new recruits.

The military lifestyle and the ‘ready for life, whatever it takes’ attitude, combined with a good sense of humour, has shaped the person I am, and I bring to my everyday working life.

Armed forces veterans are incredibly proud of their achievements, so by employing a veteran, you are in great hands as they are focussed on an end goal, deliver with pride and bring a team together to work as one.

As for me though, I bucked the Armed Forces family trend when I moved to Lincolnshire in 2001, taking the family military skills instilled in me, from loyalty to a ‘one team attitude’ into a new role in Agriculture which started at Simba, which sadly now not in existence. Agriculture has been my path since then, working at Doubleday and now with Ben Burgess who have been incredibly supportive to me and in turn my family.

‘Thank you for your service’ are words often spoken of in my family, and it is very fitting to work at Ben Burgess, a company where I feel very appreciated and where true values and service still count.