In this blog, we highlight Glen Bowen’s journey from military service to his current role at Securitas, demonstrating our commitment to helping veterans build successful civilian careers.
Military experience
Glen Bowen served in the Welsh Guards from 1982 to 1989, with deployments across the UK, Germany, Canada, and Northern Ireland. His roles included Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion, Milan Missile Operator, and Barrack Room Instructor. These roles equipped him with leadership skills, teamwork, resilience, and an ability to adapt—qualities that many ex-military personnel develop during their service. Like Glen, many ex-military personnel face the challenge of transitioning from highly structured military environments into civilian life, which can feel uncertain and overwhelming.
Transition to civilian life
For Glen, the transition came unexpectedly. After leaving the military, he returned home to care for his mother, who was unwell after the passing of his father. With no clear job plan in place, he soon realised that employment opportunities were not as abundant as he had hoped. After two months on unemployment benefits, Glen found his first civilian job as a Gas Fitter for British Gas—thanks to spotting an advert in the newspaper. The role was labour intensive and included tasks such as digging trenches to laying services for new builds and existing properties, alongside detecting gas leaks.
The experience broadened his perspective and highlighted the strengths his military background had provided. He encountered a wide range of people, and his adaptability, work ethic, and team focus made him a standout employee. Glen reflects on how this job opened his eyes to the varied nature of civilian work environments, while also demonstrating just how transferable military skills are in the real world.
While this role was an important steppingstone in his transition to civilian life, Glen’s career has evolved significantly since then, spanning various industries. Glen initially joined Securitas as a National Account Manager, bringing with him essential skills in building strong client relationships, managing large-scale operational functions and teamwork —key capabilities well-suited to this role.
After a brief period away from the business, Glen returned as the Strategic Account Director on the Airbus account.
Joining Securitas
Glen was the ideal candidate for Securitas when he came across the opportunity online. The leadership, determination, and resilience that Glen had honed during his military career and in his time in other industries perfectly aligned with the qualities Securitas looks for in its employees.
At Securitas, Glen has continued to apply the skills he developed in both military and civilian roles. His focus on teamwork, leadership, and mentoring others has made him an integral part of the team.
Today, Glen is proud to contribute to the Securitas military network whenever possible, leveraging this support for mutual benefit. His journey illustrates the value of military experience and the importance of community, especially when navigating the complexities of civilian life.
Contributions to the team
At Securitas, Glen showcases numerous transferable skills and attributes that benefit the entire team. These include:
- Leadership: Guiding and inspiring those around him.
- Determination: Committed to achieving goals and overcoming challenges.
- Clarity of vision: Providing direction and focus for himself and his colleagues.
- Resilience and tenacity: Persisting in the face of adversity.
- Mentoring: Supporting the growth and development of others.
- Team focus: Prioritising group success over individual recognition.
At Securitas we recognise the incredible value ex-military personnel can bring to our workforce. We are committed to providing ex-military personnel like Glen with the support they need to transition into civilian roles, offering not just jobs but long-term career paths where their skills can shine.
If you’re an ex-military personnel looking to take the next step in your career, we encourage you to connect with Securitas. We’re here to support you—just as we’ve done for Glen and many others.
