Leaving any job after 20 years can be a shock to the system, but the transition from Army to civilian life was a culture shock on many levels for Nick Schofield.

Formerly with the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery serving in Afghanistan and Iraq, Nick left the Army last year and joined Bannatyne’s Health Club as general manager.

The 38-year-old dad of three admits the change was a shock.

“While I was in the Army I served twice in Afghanistan and once in Iraq in 2003,” explains Nick. “Part of my job was to help clear the areas were living in and we came into contact with the Taleban on a day to day basis.

“Everyone gets frightened, but when it’s over, you have a nervous laugh and eventually the adrenalin calms down and you realise the situation you have been in. But my time was ending with the Army, so I knew I was leaving, but it was still a culture shock when I came into civilian life,” says Nick, who lives in Colchester.

“The environment I worked in – the humour in the military is a bit different to civilians – so that took a bit of getting used to.”

During a six-month period in 2007 when he left the Army Nick, who also worked as a gunner instructor at Lark Hill, qualified as a personal trainer, but went back to the Army as a change in career wasn’t financially viable at the time. However, he continued studying, taking distance learning courses in postual circulation, sports psychology, resistance movement techniques and sports performance. He is now studying for a four-year, part-time degree in sports science with the Open University.

He joined Bannatyne’s Health Club, in Whitehall Industrial Estate, in November last year and is now responsible for making sure the club runs smoothly.

Nick says: “If there are any issues with customers, equipment or staff I deal with it. I have always worked in management and took a City and Guilds Level six in management so it made sense to come into this level.

“To do this job well you need to have good listening skills and be friendly so people feel comfortable coming to you with questions and problems. Customer service skills are vital, as is confidence to speak to members.

“As a general manager of a health club it is essential I know what the staff jobs involve because anyone could ask me a question and I should be able to answer it. As I have always been interested in the fitness industry, and take part in fitness activities myself every day, I know it quite well.”