The Untold Story of Growing Up in a Military Family with Lily Shelley

The Untold Story of Growing Up in a Military Family with Lily Shelley

Behind every serving person is a family making sacrifices too. In this special episode of the Great Guns Podcast, James Scott speaks with Lily Shelley, a military child, advocate and member of the Naval Children's Charity Youth Council, about what it's really like growing up in a military family. Lily's father served in the Royal Marines from 2002 until 2014 and was medically discharged following PTSD related to operational deployments, including Afghanistan. While much of the conversation around military service focuses on those who wear the uniform, Lily shares the often-overlooked perspective of the children growing up alongside military life. From long deployments and uncertainty at home to watching a parent navigate PTSD and transition out of service, Lily speaks openly about the challenges she faced and how those experiences shaped who she is today. Now aged 17, Lily has built a growing online platform raising awareness of the unique experiences of military children. Through social media, public speaking and advocacy work, she is helping ensure that young people from military families feel seen, heard and supported. The conversation explores identity, resilience, family, transition and the importance of creating better understanding for military children in schools, communities and wider society. This is a powerful conversation about the people standing behind the uniform and why their stories matter too. TAKEAWAYS * Military service impacts the entire family, not just the person serving. * Children often carry challenges that remain unseen by others. * Communication and honesty within families can make a huge difference. * Military children are often described as resilient because they have no choice but to adapt. * Schools and educators can play a vital role in supporting military children. * Community and shared experiences help young people feel less isolated. * Speaking openly about challenges can help others who are facing similar situations. * Support is available, but awareness of those resources needs to improve. * Military life creates unique strengths, perspectives and life experiences. * No one should feel they have to face these challenges alone. SOUND BITES "Tomorrow isn't promised, so you've got to go and live your life to the fullest." "People say military children are resilient, but often they're just getting on with it because they have to." "Sometimes just hearing someone say, 'I get it,' makes all the difference." "People can't help with things they don't know about." "Military children do exist, and their experiences matter." "Putting yourself out there will never hurt you." "I just want people to know they're not alone." "Behind every serving person is a family making sacrifices too." CONNECT WITH LILY TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@lilyshelleyxx] Naval Children's Charity Youth Council [https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk/] Linktree [https://linktr.ee/lilyshelley?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnAgR9P2U72kifILdHLevc7lZOj2kKpBSoYz2RAzlVTCMUnPLR6BT1Pb7RGRI_aem_OxcwlstVUHW8hUOEEaCDCQ](Resources for Military Children and Families) ORGANISATIONS MENTIONED * Naval Children's Charity [https://www.navalchildrenscharity.org.uk/] * Scotty's Little Soldiers [https://www.scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk/] * Little Troopers [https://www.littletroopers.net/] * Army Families Federation [https://aff.org.uk/] * Naval Families Federation [https://nff.org.uk/] * RAF Families Federation [https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/] * Combat Stress [https://combatstress.org.uk/] #GreatGunsPodcast #MilitaryChildren #MilitaryFamilies #VeteranFamilies #RoyalMarines #LifeAfterService #MilitaryCommunity #NavalChildrensCharity #ForcesFamilies #MilitaryTransition

Royal Artillery to Building a Veteran-Led Business with Steve Mullan

Leaving the military can be daunting, especially when you've spent more than two decades in uniform. For Steven Mullan, however, transition wasn't something that happened overnight—it was something he had been preparing for years. In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, Steven shares his journey from joining the Army at 23, serving 24 years in the Royal Artillery, and eventually stepping into civilian life to build his own health and safety consultancy. Steven talks openly about the pressures of military service, the leadership challenges that shaped him, and the moment he realised it was time to move on. After reaching the point where the demands of service were beginning to impact his wellbeing, he made the decision to leave on his own terms and pursue a new challenge. What followed wasn't an overnight success story. From working out of a shed in his back garden to building SM Safety Training & Consultancy into a thriving business supporting more than 40 organisations, Steven explains how persistence, networking and a willingness to keep learning helped him create a successful second career. The conversation also explores a challenge many service leavers face: translating military experience into civilian language. Steven shares why so many veterans underestimate their own abilities and how the skills developed in service can become a huge advantage in civilian employment. Today, alongside running his business, Steven works closely with the Forces Transition Group, helping service leavers gain qualifications, build confidence and prepare for life beyond the military. This is a conversation about planning ahead, backing yourself, embracing uncertainty and creating opportunities after service. TAKEAWAYS * Transition starts much earlier than most people think. * Military experience is far more valuable than many service leavers realise. * Having a plan gives you options when it's time to leave. * Networking can open doors you never expected. * Running a business requires resilience, discipline and patience. * Continuous learning creates new opportunities. * Imposter syndrome affects many veterans during transition. * Success often comes from taking calculated risks. * Military leadership skills transfer exceptionally well into civilian careers. * Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. SOUND BITES "If you want something, you've got to work harder to get it." "It's only 22 years of your life. You've still got another life after that." "The learning curve was vertical." "You can't blag a blagger." "People think they're not good enough, but actually they've got more skills than they realise." "Resettle, resettle, resettle." "If they say no, you've lost nothing. If they say yes, you've got everything to gain." "Everybody can achieve what they want to achieve." CONNECT WITH STEVEN SM Safety Training & Consultancy [https://www.smsafetytraining.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-mullan-certiosh-2bba8782/] #GreatGunsPodcast #StevenMullan #MilitaryTransition #VeteranBusiness #LifeAfterService #RoyalArtillery #HealthAndSafety #VeteranCommunity #ForcesTransitionGroup #Leadership

Understanding Your Worth Beyond the Uniform with Neil Marshall OBE

Leaving the Armed Forces is one of the biggest decisions anyone in service will make, yet many people approach it without fully understanding their value, their options, or the financial foundations they have already built. In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, James Scott sits down with Major General Neil Marshall OBE, Chief Executive of the Forces Pension Society, to discuss leadership, transition, and the importance of planning for life beyond military service. Neil shares his remarkable journey from growing up in the Scottish Highlands, where a passion for skiing first sparked his interest in the Army, to spending a formative gap year in the Falkland Islands and Antarctica before commissioning into the Royal Artillery. Over a distinguished 33-year career, Neil commanded at every level, served on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, led the Higher Command and Staff Course at the Defence Academy, and became the Senior British Military Advisor at US Central Command. But this conversation isn't just about military service. It's about understanding who you are when the uniform comes off. Neil reflects on his own decision to leave the Army before the system decided for him, the challenges of building a civilian career, and the lessons he learned about purpose, identity and finding meaningful work after service. The conversation also explores a topic often overlooked during transition: pensions. As Chief Executive of the Forces Pension Society, Neil explains why understanding your Armed Forces pension is one of the most important things you can do before deciding whether to stay, leave, or plan your next chapter. This is a conversation about ownership, preparation, leadership and creating a future on your own terms. TAKEAWAYS * Understanding who you are is more important than deciding what job you want next. * Transition is something you do, not something that happens to you. * Military skills remain highly valuable in civilian life. * Planning early creates more options later. * Your Armed Forces pension is a critical part of your financial future. * Self-awareness is one of the most important tools for successful transition. * Great leaders create opportunities for others to thrive. * The strongest careers are often built around purpose rather than job titles. * Networking and asking for help are strengths, not weaknesses. * Every transition starts with taking ownership of the next step. SOUND BITES "We're all equal in the eyes of the world as far as I'm concerned." "No work should be beneath you because your work is part of your grounding for life." "Before you decide what you want to do, work out who you are." "The most important choice is often: do I stay, or do I go?" "Do the maths." "Transition isn't something that's done to you. It's something that you undertake." "Find where you were happiest and at your best." CONNECT WITH NEIL Forces Pension Society [https://forcespensionsociety.org] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilmarshall24/] #GreatGunsPodcast #NeilMarshall #ForcesPensionSociety #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCommunity #LifeAfterService #Leadership #ArmedForces #Veterans #PurposeAfterService

Transition, Risk & Building a New Mission with Ryan Watters

Leaving the military can feel like stepping into the unknown, but for former Royal Marine medic Ryan Watters, it was also the beginning of a new mission. In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, Ryan shares his journey from a young man with no military background to earning the coveted Green Beret and serving as a Royal Marine medic. He reflects on the challenges of training, the opportunities that military life provided, and the experiences that shaped him along the way. Ryan also opens up about one of the biggest decisions many service leavers face: knowing when it's time to move on. After nearly a decade in the Royal Marines, Ryan took the leap into civilian life and co-founded LRT Medical Solutions alongside fellow former Marines. Together they are building a business dedicated to delivering high-quality medical and first aid training while helping others develop the confidence and competence to respond when it matters most. This is a conversation about transition, taking calculated risks, embracing uncertainty, and creating purpose beyond the uniform. TAKEAWAYS * Transition starts long before you hand in your ID card. * Military service provides transferable skills that can be applied anywhere. * Sometimes the biggest opportunities come from taking a calculated risk. * Asking questions during transition can unlock support, funding and opportunities. * Building a business requires the same commitment and resilience as military service. * Confidence comes from competence and continual learning. * Support networks make the transition journey significantly easier. * Leaving the military is emotional, but it can also be exciting. * There is no single right path after service. * Creating your own mission can be one of the most rewarding parts of transition. SOUND BITES "Ask questions. The one question you don't ask could be the difference between having a job when you leave." "Just throw yourself in the deep end. If it works, brilliant. If it doesn't, try something else." "The fastest year of my life was my last year in the Marines." "We've built this company from the ground up. This is our baby now." "It's never too late to learn something new." "Confidence and competence save lives." "I knew I'd made the right decision." CONNECT WITH RYAN LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/ryan-watters-bsc-431b51371] LRT Medical Solutions [https://lrtmedicalsolutions.com/] #GreatGunsPodcast #LRTMedicalSolutions #RoyalMarines #MilitaryTransition #VeteranOwned #LifeAfterService #Entrepreneurship #VeteranBusiness #Leadership

Policing, Burnout & Changing the Culture with Ian Cook

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, James sits down with former West Midlands Police officer Ian Cook, founder of Blue Light Lifestyle, to talk openly about policing, wellbeing and the realities of life behind the badge. After serving for 18 years across neighbourhood policing, response teams and traffic, Ian shares the highs and lows of a career dedicated to public service — from chasing fast cars and thriving in specialist teams to witnessing burnout, broken systems and a culture that too often leaves people suffering in silence. This is an honest conversation about identity, transition and purpose. It explores why so many emergency service workers struggle, why asking for help still feels difficult, and why meaningful change starts with creating environments where people feel safe enough to speak. More than anything, it is a conversation about people. Because behind every uniform is still a human being. TAKEAWAYS * Behind every uniform is a person who still needs support * Burnout in emergency services often happens gradually and silently * Mental health struggles do not discriminate against experience or rank * Culture can either create safety or create silence * People perform better when they feel trusted and valued * Looking after yourself is not selfish — it is essential * Being honest about struggling is a sign of strength, not weakness * Leadership is about people, not just performance metrics * Sometimes the biggest risk is staying where you no longer belong * Purpose often continues long after the uniform comes off SOUND BITES * "The biggest risk wasn't leaving — the biggest risk was staying." * "Behind every uniform is still a human being." * "A problem shared is a problem halved." * "Police officers relate to police officers." * "You are replaceable in a job — you are not replaceable to the people who love you." * "Don't complain about a life you once dreamed of having." * "Culture creates either safety or silence." Connect with Ian Blue Light Lifestyle [https://bluelightlifestyle.com/] LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/ian-cook-6a7547240] Code 0 [https://hapstar.app/code-0/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSBB95leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzRGMwOHBSUzBGVkhoRjYzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoulS2DNAEunGo0d6OEl_AiXtsAl8IAq8BXyVxtNEkqXjpWCZT2VVsi1G24q_aem_TSlQ61cCu2UKSisuYCqtVA] #GreatGunsPodcast #BlueLightLifestyle #MentalHealth #PoliceWellbeing #Leadership #LifeAfterService #EmergencyServices #VeteranCommunity