Armed Forces Day is a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. McPhillips Quantity Surveyor Tom Smith served in the British Army; we posed a few questions to Tom on the eve of Armed Forces Day…
Which regiment were you with and what was your rank?
The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME); providing engineering support by maintaining and repairing the Army’s equipment. My rank was Lance Corporal.
How long were you a member of the Forces?
I joined up when I was 21 and I left in 2016, having served for nine and a half years.
Where have you been deployed?
I was deployed on exercises throughout the UK, Cyprus, Jordan and Canada. I was also deployed to Afghanistan.
How did you become a Quantity Surveyor?
When I made the decision to leave the Army I wanted to go back into construction, having had previous experience before joining. After researching relevant courses/jobs that I could apply for, becoming a Quantity Surveyor was the role that best suited my ambitions.
Did you get help training as a QS as part of your exit process?
Yes, as part of my resettlement, grants were made available to go into further education.
Do you think your service helped prepare you for your career?
I would say in certain aspects, most definitely.
What does Armed Forces Day mean to you?
Keeping the military in the public eye is key, they are often overlooked and have always stepped in when the country needs them. Most recently the fuel crisis.
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