From Tanks and Trucks to Tech

Luke Spencer, 29 a former Corporal with the Royal Tank Regiment left the British Army after a decade of service. He set his target on pursuing a career in tech and cyber security, via a brief stint as a truck driver he’s secured his dream job as a Web App Security Consultant with PenTest People and hasn’t looked back.

Here’s his story . . .

When did you join the military?

My first day of basic training was 19/01/2009, I joined straight after school shortly after turning 17.

Who did you serve with?

I was a tank crewman of the Royal Tank Regiment, finishing as a full corporal and Instructor of Gunnery after 10 years service.

Why did you decide to leave? 

I always wanted a little more from my life, not that the military isn’t a challenging job, I just knew I was more technically minded. I’d had a great career, lots of great postings and memories. My future there was looking good but it just wasn’t for me anymore. I wanted something which offered more challenge and took me out of my comfort zone.

Once you’d signed off, how did you feel?

Initially it was quite a scare, I hadn’t figured out a direction of what I wanted to do. It was a bit impulsive almost, I knew I just had to do it or I would never figure it out. I was worried and kept asking myself, “What will I do?”, “How will I support children?”, “What if I fail and have to come back?”. However I was also excited as to what I could build my future to be, I’d never had a civilian job, so everything would be a new experience!

How did you tackle the resettlement process? What was your plan?

Honestly, I didn’t have much of a plan. Only that I had my truck licenses to fall back on and my NVQ in engineering and maintenance, although I knew I wouldn’t be happy pursuing these for long. I had no plan but endless questions. To make things even easier, I took a 7 month posting to Canada as my last post which seemed at first like running away, but it actually got me started on tech and I learned a lot of lessons there to prepare for my future career.

My friend and I got interested in how websites are built after having chats one night about how great remote working would be. From there we enrolled on a HTML5 and CSS fundamentals course and that started the process (he continued on and now works remote as a freelance web developer) I however took a different path after the course. When I returned to the UK I had just 1 month until my last working day and one evening my 2IC told me how cyber security is a booming industry and that I should go for it! I’d always been fascinated by hacking and the idea of it, but didn’t think myself capable. I did some research that night, contacted some ELCAS providers the next day and got started with CompTIA courses. Starting from the STRATA then to A+, Network+ and Security+. I later attended Crucial Academy on their offensive security course and passed my Crest Practitioner Security Analyst.

While undergoing all this and working through my studies over the course of 2 years, I worked as an agency truck driver which helped keep my finances going. I didn’t particularly enjoy it but it had it’s moments and enabled me some flexibility in my life. Although the shifts were excessively long (often three 15 hour and two 13 hours shifts per week) I kept my studying going and kept myself in the gym.

Did you always want to pursue a tech career?

I always wanted a tech career and lifestyle; however, coming from a non tech background it looked very daunting and I always thought I couldn’t do it. It was in the back of my head as a bit of a pipe dream.

What did you enjoy about the military?

For a time, I loved the life. Very simple living as a junior NCO and even the responsibilities didn’t particularly feel difficult. It was comfortable and I really enjoyed being an instructor. One day I plan to teach or mentor in cyber security too. I also loved the traveling, I was very lucky to get around to many places which I would not have seen had I not joined.

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