
Meet The Grenadier Walk of Oman Team - Dave Adams
Introducing Walk of Oman Team Member, Dave, who tells us what he is most looking forward to during the upcoming expedition.
Introducing Walk of Oman Team Member, Dave, who tells us what it means to him to get involved with WWTW and the upcoming Grenadier Walk of Oman Expedition.
Why have you
signed up to the challenge and what does it means to you ?
My main reason
for joining the Walk of Oman Expedition is the good that WWTW do for the Forces community
in both mental and physical health. I myself have benefitted directly and
anything I can do to further aid the cause of WWTW, I will. It will also
provide an opportunity to broaden the awareness of the ongoing problem with
PTSD in the veteran and serving community – hopefully to drive change in level
of support available to the military community following, or prior to,
discharge from the Armed Forces.
What does it
mean to be involved with WWTW?
I feel that it
is widely understood that WWTW are one of the leading forces charity, one that
is agnostic to many of the political challenges within that particular
community. Without WWTW there would be a great number of servicemen and women
who would have reduced access to the necessary support and therefore any way I
can assist in driving fundraising or awareness of the charity is very important
to me.
How are you
preparing for the challenge ahead?
The biggest
challenge is getting the mind ready for the task ahead as well as the physical
preparations of course. The next few months will be critical for both, but
thanks to the support of WWTW and the surrounding Partners, I believe this will
easier than attempting to do it alone.
What does team
spirit mean to you?
Team spirit, I
believe, will be the critical element throughout the walk itself. As much as
the physical element will be incredibly challenging – there will be highs and
lows during our time in the desert for all involved. The team will support
itself and by extension each of the members within, be that by way of moral
support through tough times, humour where necessary or just to lend an ear
during our time in Oman. Without a close-knit team, I don’t think the walk
would be a success, hence the importance that WWTW has placed upon team
cohesion.
How you
found the transition from life in the military?
I consider
myself relatively luck in terms of transition because I, and my background, has
been fully embraced by my company, Marsh Ltd, giving me a view to the future
which was sadly dissipating during my medical discharge. There have, of course,
been struggles throughout, such as dealing with mental health in a community
that I didn’t fully understand. There were a lot of experiences that were
entirely unfamiliar, having joined the Army at 16 – and I am sure there are
more to come. I do think the effort that I had put into self-development has
helped dramatically to make the transition as smooth as I could.
The
importance of veteran mental health support
Without mental
health support there is a high likelihood I would not be here at all, having
gone to some pretty dark depths following my diagnosis. The military is
unprepared, in my opinion to deal with the scale of mental health support it
will need to give over the next few years and beyond. Sadly the public sector
is less experienced in looking after veterans mental health for a number of
reasons, which highlights the need for military charities to step in. my
greatest fear is that not enough will be done and a number of good people will
be lost along the way.
What positive aspect/s can you
take out of Service that you feel you can carry with you through life?
One of the major things is the
confidence that Service instils into you. For example, the soft skills that you
learn like being able to communicate clearly with a whole host of people, being
able to hold a room, and the malleability that a life in Service gives you. Serving
in the Armed Forces gives you great skills that you can carry with you through life.
Are there any aspects of Service that you miss?
I miss the routine and the lifestyle. When you’re serving in the Armed
Forces you know what you’re doing on a daily basis. I also miss the
camaraderie; this is very different in the civilian world. When you’re in the
Armed Forces, you always have friends on your doorstep which creates a nice
culture.
What skills will you bring to
the team?
I can make a good brew! My hope
is that I have a good hand in bringing the team together and creating cohesion.
If someone is in a downward spiral, I hope I will be able to bring them up out
of it.
Describe where you were 3 years ago
Alone, broken and unsure.
Describe where you are now.
Stable.
Recently, The Walk of Oman team have been training for their 400km trek by walking 66km each as part of WWTW's Christmas Campaign Walking Home For Christmas. You can support The Walk of Oman team's 400km walk here