As Chair of the Armed Forces Family Network, remembrance always stirs something deep within me. It brings back memories of my time in the Royal Navy — the incredible people I served alongside, the patients I cared for, and the journey that shaped who I am today.
At 18, I was determined to “join up,” and becoming a Radio Operator was the fastest way in. From the start, I learned that adaptability was key. Just three months after I joined, women were finally allowed to serve at sea, and later, to remain in service after having children. I loved being part of the Royal Navy, but I wanted more — so I retrained as a nurse. Qualifying in 1998 was one of my proudest moments, especially after completing placements at Royal Naval Hospital Haslar and Portsmouth Hospitals. Nursing in the Navy offered endless opportunities to grow and explore. I worked across surgical wards, Head and Neck, High Dependency, Critical Care, Occupational Health, and Primary Care. I took my time finding my path, and in 2003, I found my calling in Infection Control, where I stayed for 13 years.
One of the most defining chapters of my career came in 2011, when I deployed to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. As the Infection Control nurse, I quickly stepped into many roles — from documenting trauma wounds and unloading casualties to supporting governance and managing outbreaks. It was intense, emotional, and life-changing. We treated British forces, as well as Australians, Americans, Dutch, and Afghans. Amid the chaos, I found strength and purpose. Coming home made me appreciate life’s simple joys — family, my own bed, daily walks with my dog, the rain, the greenery, and the beauty of flowers.
In 2012, I commissioned as a Naval Officer, which opened a new chapter. I was posted to Birmingham City University to manage 350 military students, diving headfirst into nurse education. Later, I returned to Portsmouth, excited to be closer to family — but the military always has surprises. In October 2014, with just four days’ notice, I sailed from Falmouth aboard the RFA Argus to support the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. As the Infection Prevention and Control nurse, I was responsible for keeping over 300 crew members safe. Eventually, I went ashore to work in the Kerry Town Ebola treatment centre. It was tough — hot, smelly, and heartbreaking. We lost many patients, and the experience left a lasting mark.
By 2017, I knew it was time to stay closer to home. I left the Armed Forces, but I carry my service with me every day. The Royal Navy shaped me into the leader I am. It gave me skills, education, and experiences I could never have imagined as a civilian.
The values I lived by in the military — teamwork, honesty, commitment, leadership, resilience, humour, and agility — are the same values I see in the NHS. After 27 years in uniform, the Royal Navy still runs through my veins. I’m proud to be a veteran, proud to serve the NHS, and proud to lead the Armed Forces Family Network. And I love that the NHS embraces my wonderfully quirky military ways.
-Sharon McCann, Director of Quality and Professions.