By Peter Kelly, Capability Framework Product Manager, Government Digital Service
Introducing Peter Kelly, Capability Framework Product Manager in Government Digital Service. In his blog, Peter shares his inspiring journey from military service to civilian life, highlighting how he leveraged his transferable skills to forge a successful career beyond the armed forces.
From Military Service to digital leadership
Military experience provides a unique foundation for success in digital careers. This personal journey showcases how the skills developed in the Royal Marines directly transfer to government digital roles.
Early foundations
I've always been someone who never truly let life define me. From an early age, I learned to check out emotionally, to push aside the pain, and to put one foot in front of the other. Life wasn't kind to me as a child. Growing up, I faced neglect, violence, and abandonment. I didn't know it then, but these experiences would become the foundation of who I was to become. They forged an inner strength that allowed me to survive in the toughest of circumstances.
By the age of 18, I had hardened my heart so much that I could no longer connect with the people around me. But through it all, something inside me refused to give up. Every time life tried to break me, I came back stronger, even if I didn't know how or why.
Joining the Royal Marines was the catalyst for my transformation. It was my response to a life filled with instability, pain and just an overwhelming sense of being lost. The Marines gave me what I desperately needed: discipline, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
The Marines gave me more than just a tribe and a purpose. It gave me a life, a clean start and a future. It taught me to lead under pressure, to think critically and to be part of something greater than myself.
Transitioning to civilian life
When I left the forces, I found myself standing on the edge of a new frontier – civilian life. I knew that the skills I had honed in the Marines would serve me well in this new challenge. But the digital world was unlike any battlefield I'd faced before. It wasn't about physical endurance; it was about mental agility, vision, and the ability to adapt and learn quickly!
Key transferable skills
Military Planning → roadmap ownership
In the military, every mission is a well-planned operation. In the tech world, this mindset helped me develop detailed product roadmaps and execute multi-year strategies. In a private sector digital role, I led the creation of a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that raised £3 million in private equity investment.
Leading marines → leading tech teams
Leading teams through high-pressure situations in the Royal Marines became invaluable when managing cross-functional teams across Europe. Whether delivering Augmented Reality apps for luxury brands or large-scale tech projects, the ability to lead under pressure kept teams focused on outcomes.
Situational awareness → stakeholder management
In the military, situational awareness could mean life or death. In digital roles, I applied these principles to stakeholder management, ensuring alignment between user needs and organisational goals across multinational projects.
Resilience → innovation tools
The Corps taught me resilience – how to keep pushing when plans fail. This adaptability proved essential while building Imployable, managing both successes and setbacks. I learned to embrace failure as part of the process, quickly pivoting to improve products.
Innovation under constraint → building scalable solutions
Military operations often require innovation with limited resources. This mindset drove the creation of scalable solutions for dozens of start-ups, turning constraints into creative opportunities.
Government Digital Service: The next mission
Now, in my role leading the UK Government's Capability Framework, I apply military-style leadership to help build a modern, digital-first government. This role ensures the UK's digital workforce is agile, capable, and prepared for tomorrow's challenges. Discover our vision for a technologically empowered public sector in our comprehensive blueprint for modern digital government.
This isn't just about managing teams – it's about ensuring the government has the digital talent needed to adapt and succeed in an increasingly digital world.
I didn't leave the Corps behind when I transitioned to civilian life. I carried it with me, and it continues to shape how I lead, innovate, and create. It wasn't just a shift in career; it was a shift in purpose, one that continues to propel me forward. My service hasn’t finished, I am now a member of the Royal Marines Reserve and have recently completed the three month Senior Corps Commissioned Officer Course at Commando Training Centre, the Civil Service is very supportive of my military career and both professions benefit from my work in each organisation. Personal and professional growth is important to me and to the Civil Service.
Want to follow a similar path?
Visit the Government Digital and Data careers page to learn more about opportunities for veterans in digital government roles and find out the latest news on our Government Digital and Data LinkedIn page.
Veterans bring invaluable skills to the Civil Service, and the UK government is making their transition smoother. From career support to inclusive networks, these initiatives ensure veterans and their families find meaningful roles where their expertise thrives, and you can read more about them below;
Op ASCEND, the new government-backed careers service for veterans and their families.
Great place to work for veterans scheme which aims to encourage more veterans to join civil service.
The Civil Service Armed Forces Network, a cross-government membership body for veterans, reservists, family members and allies.[1]
The Government Digital and Data community is at the forefront of creating innovative solutions that make a meaningful difference in people's lives. By applying your military experience to digital transformation, you could apply for roles from Product & Delivery Management to Software Development and Cyber Security, helping to build a modern digital government that serves everyone more effectively.