From Bridges to Battlefields
Applying Structured Innovation in Defence
From Engineering to Defence
Jessal Murarji has built a career in civil engineering, specialising in the design, planning and management of transport infrastructure, with a particular focus on bridges and tunnels. Alongside this, he has served in the Army Reserve, including an operational tour in Afghanistan. The dual commitment to engineering innovation and Defence service continues today through his role as an independent advisor to the MOD, and his leadership of the resurrected Military Engineering Experimental Establishment (MEXE), a volunteer-led organisation providing technical expertise to support Defence challenges.
Introduction to H4MOD
Jessal first encountered Hacking for Ministry of Defence (H4MOD) through a CMP webinar around five years ago. Recognising the benefits brought by a structured approach, which facilitated clearly defined challenges, diverse perspectives, and accreditation, it immediately struck him as a powerful model for driving change both within Defence and in education, with its emphasis on structured innovation, diversity of thought, and real-world problem solving which is shaping the way teams learn and deliver solutions.
His first direct experience came in 2024, mentoring Officer Cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on the condensed version of the H4MOD course, where his student team worked on hearing protection solutions for Army HQ Capability Delivery teams. It confirmed to Jessal the H4MOD’s potential to inspire and equip future leaders, in the military and beyond.
A Mentor’s Perspective
For Jessal, the most rewarding aspect of mentoring has been engaging with students and cadets at the start of their careers.
“They’re open, curious, intelligent – not yet shaped by any one organisation’s way of thinking. They look at problems from different angles.”
That inquisitiveness and openness to new perspectives has been the most positive takeaway from his experience so far.
Doubling Down
Reflecting on his experience, Jessal is clear that H4MOD only works when it is taken seriously. He urges universities and institutions to fully commit to embedding it, rather than bolting it on to existing courses.
“If it means taking something else out, so be it. To do justice to the problems Defence faces, the programme has to be done properly and done now. Defence can’t afford delays or half-measures when real challenges are going unaddressed”.
He sees real value in the CMP model, which brings rigour and clarity to innovation. He has even adopted the same approach in his own professional problem solving. For example, applying CMP’s principles of clear problem definition and end-goal articulation to his own product development work. Reflecting on a past patent that stalled, he believes that a more structured approach could have saved time and focused effort on what end users actually needed.
H4MOD: Revolutionising Defence Innovation?
Looking ahead, Jessal believes that Defence can benefit enormously from the programme. He notes, “defence has a long list of problems, many of which aren’t being worked on. Any help that can be given, essentially for free, should be taken up immediately.” For him, the strength of H4MOD lies in its structured methods and its embrace of diversity of thought; bringing fresh ideas to entrenched issues. He adds, “Mission-driven means making sure solutions meet genuine needs and contribute to the greater good of national security.”
That, he argues, is the essence of H4MOD.
Getting Involved
To colleagues considering mentoring, Jessal’s advice is simple:
“Just go for it. Even if you’re not a subject expert, you’ll gain something from working with people you don’t usually work with. It’s a win–win.”
For him, mentoring is not only about supporting students, but also about rediscovering the value of curiosity, collaboration, and clarity in tackling the most pressing problems of Defence. Jessal’s journey shows that mentoring through H4MOD is about more than guiding projects. Most notably, it’s about shaping mindsets, building confidence, and bringing untapped ideas into Defence.
If you’re looking for a way to share your expertise while challenging your own thinking, becoming an Industry Mentor is one of the most rewarding steps you can take. Become a CMP Partner today and join the community trailblazing a new path into Defence.
Want to become an Industry Mentor on our H4 courses? Get in touch at info@commonmission.uk