RMA – The Royal Marines Charity is pleased to announce the recruitment of Paul ‘Baz’ Barrett in the role of Transition Support Officer – North (TSO N).
The TSO role is unique within service charities. It is a proactive position offering support to all vulnerable service leavers including those wounded injured and sick, medical discharges, administrative discharges and others that have left the Corps but still find themselves needing help and support.
Baz is uniquely placed to deliver and carry out this role, a former Colour Sergeant in the Royal Marines, he stood on a landmine whilst serving with 45 Commando in Afghanistan, in 2008. The blast nearly claimed his life, and he lost one leg above the knee, as well as badly damaging the other, part of both hands, the sight in one eye and hearing in one ear.
“There have been many instances where the RMA – The Royal Marines Charity have stood up and supported me and my family after paying for a cleaner to help clean my house when serious illness had taken its toll on my wife, this relieved so much pressure on us all as one unit while we visited the hospital.
Secondly, the Charity has helped my whole family by supporting us to be able to get out and compete in the Veterans Games in Israel. With the understanding, knowledge and experience I have accrued through my own transition I aim to help others from the Corps family who may find themselves in a similar position as I look forward to taking up the position as Transition Support Officer (North).”
Paul ‘Baz’ Barrett
After a prolonged recovery and many surgeries, Baz is now coping amazingly well with his disabilities. Coming to terms with the end of a 20-year career as a Mountain Leader in the Royal Marines alongside many other recovery challenges he now finds himself in a position where he feels he can help others who might be struggling with the transition from the Royal Marines into ‘Civvy Street’. Currently studying for a degree in psychology and living in Arbroath, Baz is a fantastic fit for this role and we look forward to the continued development of this post in Scotland and the North of England in support of our Royal Marine veterans and their families.
Paul’s recruitment follows the news that The Scottish Veterans Fund recently awarded a grant to RMA – The Royal Marines Charity to help support our transition support in Scotland.
This award enables the Charity to support our most vulnerable beneficiaries in Scotland, who often have complex needs that require long-term welfare support to overcome their challenges. These regularly include life-changing injury, life-limiting illness, mental illness, transition to civilian life and poverty.
Learn more about the Transition Support Officer here.