Still Serving: Che's Story
Che spent much of his childhood in France before returning to the UK with one clear goal: to join the Army. He enlisted at 18 and trained as an infantry soldier with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. His early career took him across several European postings, where he worked in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments and took on specialist readiness training that demanded focus, discipline and resilience.
For a young soldier, the pace of military life was intense. Che pushed himself hard and built strong bonds with the people he served alongside. But the emotional toll of service — including the loss of two close friends — began to weigh heavily. The impact on his mental health eventually led to a medical discharge, bringing his career to an end far sooner than he had imagined.
Leaving the Army so suddenly was a shock. The structure and sense of purpose he’d relied on disappeared almost overnight, and adapting to civilian life with its very different pace and expectations was far harder than he expected.
Even after a difficult end to his service, Che still recognises the good the Army gave him. The discipline and resilience he learned there continue to guide him in the life he’s building now.
Che needed to find a new path, and he found it at Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC). Part of RBVE’s, more than 70% of the team are veterans, have a disability, or both. Working alongside other veterans gave him a sense of belonging and understanding at a moment when civilian life felt unfamiliar and difficult to navigate. The routine, the shared experience, and the steady support helped him regain his confidence and direction.
Today, Che works as a Graphic Designer, contributing to road, rail, and commercial design projects for national clients.
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