Civvy Life – Damian MacKenzie

Off By Ed Hanna

Damian uses many of the skills he acquired in the Military, in his role as an ambulance technician with East Midlands Ambulance Service.

What’s your Military background?
I joined what was formerly known as the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment in 2004 which then amalgamated into what’s now known as The Mercian Regiment. I Served eight years in total and came out of the Military at the end of 2012 having been deployed on three combat tours of Afghanistan. I was in the Infantry, and I’d also trained to be a class 1 Combat Medical Technician; skills which I used a lot of when I was in Afghanistan, treating patients and casualties.

Our Regiment also did ceremonial duties at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, the Tower of London and St James’s Palace, just as the Guards Regiments do, though we wore our peak caps instead of the bearskin. I really enjoyed that, and it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

How was resettlement?
I didn’t really have much of an idea what I wanted to do when I came out of the Military.

I did some stuff like a forklift driver course, which was just something to get me a job when I came back to civvy street. I didn’t really do anything else with my resettlement.

I did, however, use my Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) and did an ambulance technician course. Adding that to my combat medical experience, there were loads of skills that I could bring across from the Military.

How did you come to work with (EMAS)?
I had a friend who was already working with EMAS; they mentioned a scheme called Step Into Health. I attended a seminar and a representative from EMAS was there and said that if you were a Veteran and you meet the requirements in the job specification, then we can give you a guaranteed interview, and so long as you meet the criteria, you can get onboard without any fuss.

I visited the website, ticked the box for Veteran, made sure I showed how I met the spec in my application, and they offered me an interview – and that was it!

What was it about EMAS that attracted you?
Ever since I was in the Military I’ve had a passion for medicine and I wanted to bring that into the NHS. I wanted to serve my community and I’m now working around the area where I live and I know people.

All of my medical background was transferable straight into EMAS, so it was nice to be able to go straight in. I knew the job and it’s a well-structured organisation with great opportunities for progression.

You’re also an Armed Forces Champion…
Yes, I’ve also done my Armed Forces Champion training, so I’m one of many Armed Forces Champions at EMAS.

As an Armed Forces Champion, if I go out to a Veteran in the community who’s struggling with mental health, say, or housing, or is having a crisis, because I’ve done the training, I know where to signpost them to get the right help. There are so many organisations I can help that person get into contact with to support them – and within EMAS, I can help support ambulance staff who are also Veterans. They know they can come to me for any support or just for a chat. I can also help to signpost them to the right places too. For instance, with a Service-leaver who’s just come out of the Army, I would be able to help them integrate into the organisation.

When you’re a Veteran yourself, you speak the Veteran language, so you can make them feel that bit more welcome and at their ease.

What are your current duties as an ambulance technician?
I work 999 emergency calls. I’m a clinician and I can make those clinical judgments and treat patients, and if they need conveying into the hospital, I do.

You never know what you’re going to be sent to, and that’s the beauty of the job! I love this role because of the huge variety of different jobs we do; it always keeps you on your toes. One moment, you’re going to an elderly lady who’s taken a fall, and then you’ll go to someone whose heart has stopped, and you’re doing CPR on them. It’s from one extreme to the other. No two days are the same.

What do Veterans bring to roles at EMAS?
Confidence is a big one and I have good situational awareness. I’ve got people skills as well; especially with the older generation, the wartime Veterans, because I’ve also Served. I just like caring for people.

Another thing about Veterans is that we’re very loyal to our employers, punctual and smartly turned out. I like to be smart and my boots are always ‘bulled’ because that’s the way I want to represent my organisation – just like I did in the Military, with pride!

What do you miss from the Armed Forces?
I think every single Soldier would probably say the same thing; it’s that closeknit family feeling, especially when you’re in the Infantry. You bond very closely with your friends, you go out on exercise together, you go to war together and you form everlasting friendships.

What’s your takeaway advice for Service-leavers?
Make sure if you’re doing resettlement to do a job that you love. Have a really good think about the path you want to take.

Also, remember that you’re not alone. There’s always support out there from some really good organisations that will help and support Veterans.