Once a Warrior: Life Beyond the Uniform

From Cold War training grounds to the devastating aftermath of the Enniskillen bombing, Davy Donnell shares an extraordinary account of military service, friendship, loss and resilience.

In this episode, David sits down with his former Company Commander, Davy Donnell, to reflect on a military career shaped by camaraderie, leadership and the experiences that stay with a soldier for life.

Davy recalls following in his grandfather's footsteps, joining the Territorial Army, progressing through the ranks and the realities of soldiering during the 1980s. From the challenges of Cambrian Patrol to bizarre and hilarious encounters with goat herders and fishing boats in Cyprus, the conversation captures both the humour and hardship of military life.

But the discussion also takes a deeply moving turn as Davy recounts the Enniskillen bombing of 8 November 1987. He shares his memories of the immediate aftermath, searching through the rubble, helping identify victims and witnessing the devastating impact on families and a close-knit community.

Nearly four decades later, the questions, memories and emotional consequences remain. Davy reflects on the importance of telling these stories, remembering those who lost their lives and the continuing debate surrounding legacy and justice.

Ultimately, this is a conversation about far more than military service. It's about the people who stand beside you, the experiences that shape you and the bonds of friendship and teamwork that endure long after the uniform comes off.

What does it take to walk away from a military career and build a new life doing something you love?

In this episode, we sit down with former Royal Engineer Connor Davies to explore his journey from growing up in a military family and training with the Royal Marine Reserves to becoming a military diver and eventually pursuing his passion for physiotherapy.

Connor opens up about the physical and mental challenges of military training, overcoming injuries, navigating COVID-19 while serving, and making the difficult decision to leave the Armed Forces behind.

He shares how the skills, resilience and discipline developed during his military career helped him overcome academic barriers, return to education and build his own physiotherapy business.

We also explore the realities of transitioning into civilian life, the social challenges of leaving the military, and why greater support for veterans interested in self-employment could make a real difference.

From overcoming self-doubt to finding purpose beyond the uniform, Connor's story is a powerful reminder that military service doesn't have to define your future — but it can help shape it.

His advice? Don't be afraid of failure. If something scares you, do it anyway.

An inspiring conversation about resilience, career change, entrepreneurship and finding your own path after military service.

From serving in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan to becoming a passionate advocate for the Armed Forces community, Jason Gillard’s journey is one of service, family, determination and giving back.

After a successful military career, Jason made the decision to leave the Armed Forces to put his family first. But while his time in uniform had come to an end, his connection to the military community remained as strong as ever.

Determined to make a difference, Jason has played a key role in championing veterans across Northern Ireland. Through his involvement in establishing the Veterans Awards in Northern Ireland, he has helped create a platform that continues to celebrate the achievements, contributions and inspiring stories of our local Armed Forces community.

Now, alongside a fellow veteran, Jason has taken that passion into the business world with Connect Through Service, an organisation focused on helping employers recognise the incredible skills, values and experience that veterans and the wider uniformed services community bring to the workplace.

In this episode, we chat with Jason about his military career, the importance of family, his passion for supporting veterans, and why recognising the strengths of those who have served is so important.

A great conversation about life after service, creating opportunities and continuing to make a difference long after the uniform comes off.

Tune in and hear Jason’s story!

Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons MLA joins Northern Ireland Veterans Commissioner David Johnson to discuss the Veterans Support Line and the importance of ensuring that support services are accessible, responsive and trusted by the veteran community.

Their conversation explores the assistance available through the service, the Department for Communities’ commitment to supporting veterans, and the need to provide confidence and reassurance around privacy and security. This is particularly important in Northern Ireland, where the legacy of the past can make some veterans hesitant to come forward and ask for help.

Veterans and their families seeking information, guidance or support can contact the Veterans Support Line on 0800 158 5556.

Former reservist Valerie Wilson reflects on her remarkable journey from cadet to military service, including her mobilisation and deployment to Iraq. She shares the challenges she faced, the leadership skills and confidence she developed, and the lasting value of her experience in the Reserves.

Valerie also explores how her military background helped shape a highly successful civilian career at BT, from making difficult decisions and earning promotion to balancing reserve service with life in the corporate world. Her story demonstrates how the skills gained through military service can transform a career, strengthen personal resilience and create opportunities to lead, volunteer and give back.