From the Royal Marines to martial arts - meet the veteran finding success on civvy street
How I Got Here is an ongoing series from BFBS Forces News that focuses on the transition from the military to civvy street. We've spoken to veterans whose military careers have come to an end, either by choice or through a life-altering event. As people who have been there and done that, they offer invaluable advice for those considering leaving or who need some support right now.
When Kelvin Davies left the Royal Marines after 12 years of service, he had big plans for Wolverhampton.
The former corporal was keen to use his passion, Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), to make his hometown better for his family and create a community of people who believed in themselves and would support each other.
Disheartened by the levels of crime where he grew up and discovering that people who are most vulnerable to "get wrapped up in all of this" were just like him – a child from a single-parent household of mixed ethnicity – the veteran wanted to be the face of possibility for others.
He said: "I'm not trying to be Superman, I'm just trying to be a real person and show them that, actually, it's achievable.
"All it takes is a good mindset, you know, and that consistency and a bit of tenacity as well."
Today, just eight months after leaving the Royal Marines, he has established Reel Grappling and hopes to use BJJ to create a stronger community, empower young people and offer people the chance to achieve goals.
But how did he get here and what advice does he have for others considering leaving the Armed Forces?
99.9% need not apply
As a teenager, Mr Davies had enjoyed Mixed Martial Arts but had no idea he would become a Royal Marine.
Other people from his school had gone on to join the British Army or Royal Air Force, but as he put it: "I wanted to achieve something a bit worthwhile"
Known for its '99.9% Need Not Apply' recruitment campaign, becoming a Royal Marine appealed to the young man who wanted to make something of himself.
During his 12 years of service, Mr Davies served with Yankee Company, 45 Commando and travelled the world to places such as Bahrain, the Netherlands, Norway and the United States.
Towards the end of his time with the Royal Marines, Mr Davies spent an increasing amount of time taking part in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions for the service and eventually became a committee member.
He organised training camps in the UK, which he took great pride in.
But Mr Davies found himself spending less time with his family than he was comfortable with.
He said: "I was never willing to unsettle my family and move their roots around.
"I knew I needed to play an actual key part of my family's life."
He places a lot of value in spending quality time with his children and could no longer justify being away from home.
In addition, Mr Davies felt that when people left the service they weren't being replaced at the same rate, leaving to those remaining having to take on more work.
He said it was a "constant battle of trying to spin all the plates".
Worth giving it a go
Determined to leave - but keen to make sure he was as prepared as possible for civvy street - Mr Davies took an electrical installation course offered by the Career Transition Partnership.
He sees the courses the military offers during the transition period as worthwhile for two reasons.
Firstly, there are courses designed for service leavers that are, as Mr Davies describes them, "straight to the point" and "no messing about" that can lead to employment in the civilian world.
However, despite not becoming an electrician, the skills he learned have proved very handy.
He said: "I've used a few bits around my own house and at my mum's, so it's been worthwhile having even if I haven't pursued it afterwards."
While he was learning about becoming an electrician, Mr Davies also applied to become a firefighter as he thought the lifestyle would be similar to that of a Royal Marine, but was unsuccessful in his application.
At this point, Mr Davies' wife stepped in and reminded him that on civvy street he should thrive and not just exist.
"She said 'do something you enjoy and you can make a difference with' and for me it was a no-brainer," he explained.
Thanks to his experience teaching the grappling-based martial art while he was a Royal Marine, Mr Davies knew he had a good chance of creating a successful Brazilian jiu-jitsu business.
However, he didn't approach this decision lightly.
For him, setting up Wolverhampton-based Reel Grappling wasn't just about making money to pay the bills.
The veteran wants his BJJ business to make a difference to the community and support the mental health of those taking part in the way he saw it helping his fellow Royal Marines during his service.
Now he's been a civilian for eight months his experience might be useful for other veterans considering making the leap.
He said: "Worst-case scenario, if it all goes completely wrong and the wheels come off, I can go and get a normal job.
"You know, nothing ventured, nothing gained."
From combat to community
Before leaving the Royal Marines, Mr Davies prepared himself for what leaving a tight-knit military community might do to his mental health.
Something he often heard veterans say on leaving the Armed Forces was "I don't really miss the job, but I miss the lads".
Aware he probably wasn't going to be the exception to the rule, he saw Reel Grappling as a way to build a strong group of people he could surround himself with – just like he had during his service.
He also wants Reel Grappling to inspire and encourage teenagers in the local community and give them the chance to expand their horizons by going to competitions in other parts of the country – something they may never have done before.
He said: "I'm hoping in the future I'm able to take a lot of people to experience new things and open their eyes to what the world can offer."
The veteran also wants to make the female community around him safer by offering women-only classes that focus on confidence, control and practical Brazilian jiu-jitsu techniques they can apply to real-life situations.
Mr Davies is keen to empower women just like his wife and daughter.
He said: "I think for every woman that knows how to look after herself, it protects the ones around her as well.
"Not everyone from Wolverhampton can do it but if enough of us can do it, then, you know, don't mess with people in my area."
People need people
There's one piece of advice Mr Davies is particularly keen to share to fellow veterans or those transitioning out of the Armed Forces – be open-minded.
Quoting the poem People Need People by Benjamin Zephaniah, the veteran is keen to encourage people to find strength and support in human connection.
Before starting Reel Grappling, Mr Davies spoke with others who had been in his shoes and could share their advice.
He said: "The more you can engage with these people and look after one another, you build that rapport, you build that community for yourself."
There are things about civilian life that frustrate Mr Davies such as how long it can take to get an NHS doctor's appointment.
He admits he didn't value how good he had it during his service.
Being able to "nip across to sickbay" because in his role as BJJ committe member they classed him as an athlete meant he was able to get the right treatment he needed fairly quickly
He said: "They were keeping me fighting fit so that's one thing about civilian life – it doesn't match up, doesn't compare."
Mr Davies also warns those transitioning to prepare themselves for the lack of urgency outside the military.
From his experience, he says there are no repercussion or ramifications for not getting a job done on time – very much a 180° from military life.
He said: "No one's getting thrashed for not doing their job.
"No one's got to worry about getting press-ups."
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