The team at Ex-Military Careers had the great privilege of welcoming Spencer Bull to the podcast, where he shared his story of resilience and adaptability in the face of a life-changing medical diagnosis.

After 29 years of service in the British Army, Spencer was Medically Discharged in 2017 with Multiple Sclerosis. Having deployed on various operations and training posts around the world, he spent the last 10 years at Army Headquarters working in Welfare, liaising with service charities and commanding a Personal Recovery Unit. He is engaged in numerous volunteering roles and is passionate about passing on his learned experience to others and educating the next generation. He was selected for Team UK at the INVICTUS Games in Sydney 2018 and the Hague 2022, competing in sailing, swimming and archery.

Since being diagnosed with MS, Spencer and his family have been wrestling with how best to live with this extremely challenging condition. From his time at school and in the Army, he spent most days participating in some form of exercise or sporting activity. It provided him with what he needed to live a full life. Unfortunately, this stopped almost immediately when the symptoms of MS started to take hold both physically and mentally. Frustrated with the limited treatments available and with no perceived clear recovery path, he needed something to help him through these dark and difficult days. With support from his time at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Headley Court), various military charities and his family, he was introduced to some tools to help overcome adversity and resilience. Spencer found that he could take back ownership of his recovery path and manage the symptoms of his MS in a way that suited him. Not only has it been life-changing, but it has also enabled a reconnection with his family.

In this special episode of the Ex-Military Careers Podcast, Broadgate's Connor Nurse caught up with the insightful Karen (Gigi) Wrancher, who shared her first-hand advice on transitioning out of the military.

Gigi Wrancher is a retired Army Colonel. She was a logistician who managed food distribution, equipment maintenance, disposal and destruction, warehouse management, and aerial delivery systems at increasing levels of responsibility. She served as the first battalion commander of the 1st Armored Division Headquarters (after the division returned to the US after 40 years), the first female Chief to the U.S. Army Quartermaster General, and the first Command Inspector General for Operation Inherent Resolve before serving in the Pentagon. Her culminating assignment was serving as the Chief of the Assistance Division, the largest division in the U.S. Army Inspector General Agency. Gigi began her career as Internal Auditor in December 2020 with Wells Fargo. She began her Vice President role with PNC Bank in May 2024.

Gigi credits such wonderful programs as USO Pathfinders, Hiring Our Heroes, American Corporate Partners, Candorful, and Virginia's Department for Veterans with helping with her transition from the military.

In this episode, Kendall Barnett caught up with the insightful Robert Marsh, veteran and Director of Fundraising for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health. Tune in to hear Robert share his story and insight into navigating employment after the forces.

Robert was commissioned into the Scottish Yeomanry in 1994 and subsequently served with the Light Dragoons, the Queen’s Own Yeomanry and the Royal Yeomanry – completing an operational tour to Bosnia in 1996.

Robert had his first run out with Combat Stress from 2005 to 2011 as Director of Fundraising & Communications – during this time, income and awareness where significantly increased, as was the successful delivery of the 90th Anniversary celebrations at Westminster Abbey and afterwards at Westminster Hall.

Robert returned to Combat Stress in September 2015 and feels as though he has come home. The evolution of the charity continues, but what hasn’t changed is its underlying mission, which is to help veterans suffering with mental health issues to lead fulfilling lives.

Robert lives in rural Berkshire with his Pets as Therapy dog, Bosco.