Veterans Outreach Support’ (VOS) member and Army Veteran, Kevin Jones from the Isle of Wight shares his story with us!
Kevin Jones began his military career on June 5, 1979, when he joined the Junior Leaders Royal Corps of Transport. He served in the regular Army until 1988 before transitioning straight into the Reserves.
After leaving regular service, Kevin joined the Post Office as a postman. While working in Cambridge, he discovered a local Territorial Army unit and decided to join, continuing his connection to the military through both transport and medical units.
Kevin’s connection to the Isle of Wight began during his time in the forces when a friend from the island invited him to a wedding. It was there that he met his future wife. After years of moving around for his military career, the couple decided to return to the island upon taking early retirement.
Kevin completed his full-time reserve service contract in January 2023 at the age of 60, and by June that year, he and his wife had relocated permanently to the Isle of Wight. Both retired at 60 – Kevin from the Reserves and his wife from the Post Office – making the transition to island life smooth and well-planned.
Their introduction to Veterans Outreach Support (VOS) came by chance during a visit to ASDA in Newport, where they spotted a VOS stand promoting coffee mornings. Having recently moved and looking to expand their social circle, Kevin decided to attend.
Kevin shared:
“It’s a place where you make new friends and acquaintances. We see some of the people we’ve met at meetings outside of those now, so it’s a great way to build friendships. It’s also good to swing the lamp occasionally, pull up the old sandbag, and share experiences – you’d be surprised how much you have in common. And of course, there’s the banter, which civilians don’t always get in quite the same way.”
Kevin and his wife have now been attending VOS events for over a year. For Kevin, the group has provided a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of his service days, helping him reconnect with the community and the familiar spirit of military life.
Reflecting on his journey, Kevin notes that after leaving the regular Army, he initially struggled to adjust to civilian life.
“For six to eight months after leaving the regs, I was thinking of signing back up because I missed that regular life,” he said. “But the reserve service gave me the best of both worlds – the freedom of civilian life and the camaraderie of the military.”
Today, Kevin enjoys retirement on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by new friends, old stories and the enduring bonds of service.
Listen to Kevin talk about the difference connecting with others has made to his life Link:
Image above: Kevin Jones at one of the Isle of Wight Social Hubs.
