Finding a purpose after Defence

Adam served as a dog handler with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

After 12 years serving, Adam transitioned to civilian life, rediscovering his purpose with the support of RSL Queensland, and his retired military dog, Fod.

"To those who support the Dream Home Art Union and purchase tickets I’d like to say, thank you. It is your support that allows the RSL to take care of veterans like me."

From working as a butcher to a parade in Paris

Adam joined the RAAF in his late 20s after working as a butcher, in part because it was the only service that would allow him to specialise from enlistment.

“I’d worked in a trade as a butcher since I was 16 and found myself with no real goals as time went on,” he said.

“My family has a long involvement with RAAF. My father was a dental technician, my uncle was a mechanic, and my grandfather was a firefighter.

So, I decided to follow the family tradition of service by also joining the RAAF.”

Adam was deployed to Malaysia and the Middle East during his time in the Air Force including being in Paris for the French National Day Parade in 2016.

“Being chosen to represent the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Paris during the French National Day Parade is one of my career highlights,” he said.

“It meant a lot to me as I was chosen based on the connection my family had to serving in France during WW1 and I was there representing the ADF, my RAAF unit, and my family.”

Finding purpose through higher education

Adam, who lives on the Sunshine Coast, said one of the hardest things about retiring from the Air Force was rediscovering his purpose.

"In the Defence force, you have a very clear sense of purpose and when you are transitioning into civilian life that can go away very quickly, he said."

“You often lose contact with your friends, or you just don’t have the same peer support network.”

Adam’s re-entry to the civilian world was made easier with the support of an Ex-Serving Scholarship from RSL Queensland to set him up for starting university studies.

He’s studying a Bachelor of Psychology Honours at USC on the Sunshine Coast – a career he chose because it would enable him to help people and wasn’t physically demanding.

“One of the things that resonates with me about psychology is that real one-on-one connection with people. So that’s one of the biggest reasons I want to transition down that pathway,” Adam said.

The passing of Fod the dog

In addition to study, Adam’s working dog, Fod, helped him through the early days after his retirement. They started working together in 2008 and sadly, she passed away at the end of 2020 when she was 14 years old.

“When she passed away, I wanted to find a way to make sure she was remembered,” Adam said.

“I contacted the Glasshouse Mountains RSL Sub Branch and asked if they would be willing to accept a memorial for her.

“They accepted and it meant the world to me that she would have a permanent place of remembrance.”

Adam has also drawn upon the support of his RSL community to offer a helping hand and support when he’s needed it

"For me, what I get out of my RSL membership is knowing that I’ve always got someone there. As you walk through the door and you immediately feel like people care", he said.

“After leaving the Air Force I saw a DVA advocate through the RSL and she basically steered me through the process and applications.

“The financial support is incredible but more than that it is knowing there is someone on the other end of the line to listen and help, and to link in with other services that could help.”

Adam has received support from RSL Queensland, which is funded by the Dream Home Art Union (previously RSL Art Union) – and your VIP Club membership, to transition to civilian life and find a meaningful career.

Please note: RSL Queensland regularly reviews and refines its services to ensure we’re effectively supporting veterans and their families. As a result, the RSL Scholarships program will not be taking on new ex-Defence and partner applicants at this time. Scholarships for veteran dependants are available through our partnership with the Australian Veterans’ Children Assistance Trust (AVCAT). For more information, click here: https://avcat.org.au/scholarships