Ben Burgess, a John Deere dealer based on Europa Way, off Martineau Lane in Norwich, has signed the Armed Forces Covenant to help service leavers resettle into new roles. 

Former soldiers and military staff are seen as ideal candidates to transfer skills honed in the heat of battle into the world of advanced, hi-tech farming machines - setting their sights on food productivity gains rather than enemy targets.

Among them is Glenn Risebrow​​​​, the firm's precision tech business manager.

He said although there once may have been different approaches to workplace conflicts, many military skills are transferable to agriculture - and there are key similarities between the two workforces' mindsets.

Glenn Risebrow​​​​ served for 28 years in the RAF Regiment (Image: Glenn Risebrow)

He served in the RAF Regiment for 28 years, deploying on operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as serving in Germany, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Estonia, Alaska, and bases across the UK.

The 48-year-old, who lives in King's Lynn, left the RAF as a Warrant Officer almost a year ago.

"I suppose my mindset was I'd reached as far as I could go in terms of rank," he said. "So I thought, while I'm relatively young, why not try something completely new, start a new career?

Glenn Risebrow​​​​ served for 28 years in the RAF Regiment (Image: Glenn Risebrow)

"I never considered working in agriculture. Believe me, I've got no agricultural background whatsoever.

"But the company saw........

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