Don't underestimate the value of what you learn in the Army, former Army Rugby head coach tells service leavers
Having enjoyed a 33-year career in the British Army, former Army rugby player and head coach Andy Sanger is now the head of well-being and performance at the Harlequins.
With his passion for rugby and his service with the Royal Engineers, Sanger has become a crucial member of the top-flight English side.
As the Army v Navy showdown at Twickenham fast approaches, Forces News caught up with the retired Major, who started his journey at an Army recruiting office more than 30 years ago.
Sanger said that being in the Army "strengthened" his ability to make the move to a civilian working environment.
"The skills you learn are not necessarily the stuff you might have on a piece of paper, it's more of the soft skills: the ability to work well in a team, the ability to have difficult conversations whilst supporting the personal aspect of it, the ability to understand how important communication is and the clarity of communication and being clear in what is expected of myself and others."
Sanger has built a reputation as a "fixer", which has seen him become a vital member of the Quins' management and has endeared him to the players and their families.
He said: "Some key part of what I think has been our success journey is that we care about our people, we look after our people.
"So, in military speak, I would say there's definitely a welfare officer element to it."
Sanger has some advice for other service leavers who are making the leap into the civilian workplace.
"Do not underestimate the strengths and the qualities that you will have learned, whether it would be a short period of three to five years, or 10 to 15 or 33 as I have.
"What I have seen is society needs it - organisations need qualities that we can bring from service within the British Army, Navy or Air Force."
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