In conversation with Natasha Mason - A-Level Drop out, Sailor, Solicitor
Failing at my A Levels, my parents warned I couldn’t drop out of education unless I got a job! So, at 17, I applied for the Royal Navy Reserves, asked a local supermarket for some work and left education behind.
The Reserves ignited excitement in my belly and encouraged me to add value to the Armed Forces community; 16 months later I joined the Royal Navy.
1994 seems a distant memory now but it was a year that changed me from a young girl into a sailor and prepared me for an ever-changing military career. Basic training was a struggle for me, but it’s not designed to be easy. I requested to leave twice, and twice my request was refused!
My first draft on a warship, HMS Invincible, was one of the best experiences in my life. New challenges, meeting people who I remain friends with today and seeing the world. There was a serious side too and one in which I tend not to reflect on too much. The draft made me eligible for my first medal, supporting Operations in Former Yugoslavia. I travelled all over and have wonderful memories of foreign visits and flightdeck parties.
My career was going well and in 1999, I welcomed my son into the world. The RN wasn’t as welcoming to mums wishing to continue their career as it is today. I faced battles and behaviours that made me question whether I could continue my career. Battling to breastfeed was my first hurdle and a battle I took to my MP and won, bringing positive change for serving mothers. Finding line managers using my expressed milk in their tea and not having anywhere to express comfortably was a whole separate issue I couldn’t win. Comments from colleagues and line managers about how a mother’s place was not in the RN was a regular occurrence. Various incidents of unfair treatment, harassment and discrimination were all experienced during different assignments and drafts; it was a common theme. In the main, I had no option but to brush these aside and carry on and I wanted to carry on, I enjoyed my career and the company of my shipmates. I also needed to work and earn money; I had a son to take care of!
I was often asked how I was managing to be a lone parent and serve. I could never have done it without the amazing support of my parents who altered their lives to take care of their grandson whenever I deployed.
Further deployments took me to places I never thought I’d visit, supporting Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and taking part in the rescue of hundreds of British Nationals from Beirut.
Being a weapons engineer, I spent most of my days on ship wearing overalls and carrying tools around, a far cry from my day job today! Two days at sea were rarely the same, I could be engaged in anything from daily checks on communications equipment, rectifying the ships television system, firefighting (regularly exercised), guarding the ship or even doing the dishes!
During my career, I had several injuries. Mostly these recovered but in 2011, a knee injury following a fall gave persistent issues. Coupled with a long-term back injury, my career was bought to an end in June 2013. I had to make new plans and considered how my experiences, good and bad in the military could play a part in my future career. Despite being told by my Divisional Officer that I should aim my sights lower, and him saying, “a lawyer is a job for the wardroom not a junior rate”, I applied to study law at university and took advantage of the MOD Higher Education funding. Every day that I struggled with the contact learning, I reminded myself of what my DO had said, and his words encouraged me to prove him wrong!
Two years into my degree I secured my first job in law. That role introduced me to legal practice and helped me qualify as a solicitor in 2020. But this only utilised a small part of my military experiences.
There were many times in my military career where I faced disadvantage and bullying, and several times told ‘you can’t take legal advice’. I wanted to be the person who shouts from the roof tops, ‘yes you can’. I wanted to be the person that ensures service personnel know they have choices, and that disadvantage and bullying are not acceptable.
I loved my job in law but always knew I could do more and wanted to help change and shape the future treatment our military personnel experience in a more positive way. But how? I had no idea where I could go or where to start.
Then along came a conversation with Ahmed, Partner and Military Group Head at Bolt Burdon Kemp. BBK have empowered and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. Working alongside a hardworking and experienced team, I can focus on all aspects of public affairs and welfare, supporting clients in the Military Claims Team with additional welfare advice, promoting the work we do and the options available, and working to affect positive changes in our armed forces community. I am only 6 months in and there have been several challenges, but not only do I finally have my voice to support others, I have also found an employer who supports my physical health challenges too.
Transitioning from military life to civilian life has not been easy; I miss the comradeship, variety, spontaneous fun and travel. Attending veteran support groups including Breakfast Clubs and Bingo Nights helps but it’s not the same. Only when you’ve experienced military life, will you ever truly understand the transition difficulties and the feeling of being lost.
I may feel successful in the world of employment but there is still a transitional journey to navigate.