During Armed Forces Week 2024, held between June 24-29, Esh is celebrating its position as an Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Covenant holder. Underpinning the company’s commitment to military and ex-service personnel, Esh actively encourages employees to sign up to the Reserve Forces, so today, on Reserves Day, we caught up with Royal Marines Reserve, and Technical Manager for Esh’s affordable housing division, Simon Schofield, to find out more.
How did you get involved with the Royal Marines Reserves (RMR)?
We’re going back a long time now, just over 20 years ago, but there was a TV advert which was explaining that ‘99.9% of people need not apply’ and some very commando-type footage, which I thought looked like something I needed to have a go at. I initially wanted to test my metal and joined with the understanding it’s one of the hardest specialist infantry courses you can do. I went for an introduction and passed the initial tests. What I took from that day was, you wear the same green beret, undertaking the same tests and conduct the same operations. The only difference is you do it alongside your civilian career and its longer as the 32-week course is split down over the year.
Getting through training is the biggest challenge you will ever have to tackle, with the commitment required to prepare for the rigours of the Commando Course. Not only is it extremely arduous, it took me to both mental and physical limits I never knew my body could be pushed to. Once complete you feel like there isn’t anything that you couldn’t tackle and your mindset changes from then on – the word ‘can’t’ is no longer in your vocabulary!
What have been your highlights of being in the RMR?
I’ve now been in the RMR for 20 years with a couple of full-time stints in the mix. I’ve deployed to Norway within the Arctic circle, conducting cold weather warfare that included ice breaking drills and living in snow holes. I also toured in Afghanistan with 40 Commando in 2010, leading a section of Marines and attached ranks on operations in Sagin, Helmand province.
Thereafter I attended the regular Landing Craft course and spent 13 weeks with 10 squadron Royal Marines. This culminated in a six-year stint in 2 Raiding Troop conducting amphibious reconnaissance, small boat raiding tactics, and finishing as troop senior in Boat troop. I’ve completed both junior and senior command courses at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines and look forward to more of the same arduous training in the near future.
How has Esh Construction supported your position as a Reservist?
My current role with RMR is being a recruit troop training instructor, attending regular weekends as part of the wider training team, moulding the next generation of reserves to feed 3 Commando Brigade either into the regulars or augment through specialist requirements. With Esh’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant Gold standard, I’ve been able to fulfil my reservist commitments without a financial hit or loss of annual holiday – as a Reservist, Esh provides 10 days of paid additional leave.
Last October, I was able to conduct a 2-week course at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, fulfilling the role of Troop Senior for our newest batch of recruits on their phase 1 course. All recruits passed and will now embark on the Commando phase in November, which I will be attending and offering choice words of encouragement through the Tactical phase and then the Commando tests.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in joining the Reserve Forces?
You learn management and leadership techniques in an environment that’s far removed from any office under induced stress and zero sleep conditions. It teaches you to be unflappable in very tricky situations, which transfers to the civilian environment too; the determination to see a positive end state and discipline to get the job done.
The most transferable Commando ethos I have found most useful is ‘cheerfulness in the face of adversity’, which in a team environment is absolutely key. It breeds a confidence that transfers into the task in hand. Military training sets a default standard both personally and professionally and you build upwards from there in your work and life.
Find out more about the Armed Forces Employer Recognition Scheme, visit https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/
Getting through training is the biggest challenge you will ever have to tackle, with the commitment required to prepare for the rigours of the Commando Course. Not only is it extremely arduous, it took me to both mental and physical limits I never knew my body could be pushed to. Once complete you feel like there isn't anything that you couldn't tackle and your mindset changes from then on – the word 'can't’ is no longer in your vocabulary!”