Defence force veterans have welcomed suggestions by the ACT government to get more former-ADF personnel inside Canberra's public service.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ACT's veterans minister Gordon Ramsay said the territory government could work to bring more veterans in with mentoring services and flagging vacancies with "Defence Force experience desirable".
Ian Hildred worked as a military police officer for 27 years and is now a senior investigator for the Professional Standards Unit.
"I wouldn't say it was easy [finding work]. After 27 years I hadn't done a job application, I hadn't written a selection criteria," he said.
Mr Hildred said it was things most civilians take for granted, like writing a resume, that ADF personnel could struggle with.
"I think anything that can assist the transition for defence members is going in the right direction," he said.
An upcoming all-staff survey of the ACT public service will determine the number of veterans in the ranks before they determine if more steps are needed to help recruit former ADF personnel.
The steps included flagging jobs with "Defence Force experience desirable", providing transition seminars for veterans and offering jobs matching ADF experience.
"I agree with the policy. It may have missed its mark a little bit in that they're only concentrating on defence," Mr Hildred said.
He said other agencies, like former police, could benefit from the steps the ACT government was considering.
One of the reasons he left the ADF was to settle in one location.
"In 27 years we'd had 14 postings going from one side of Australia to the other, it puts a lot of strain, not only on your family, but yourself as well," Mr Hildred said.
Craig Rose, another Canberra public servant, left the ADF for similar reasons: his family was getting older.
"Once your family starts getting to that stage ... people need to start providing that stability for their family," Mr Rose said.
"Leaving the Defence Force is a big decision, it becomes a way of life for you."
Mr Rose said while officers like him had leadership training others, such as infantry, may find the transition to civilian life more difficult.
Mr Ramsay said ADF personnel were a valuable asset to the community.
"By learning from their experiences we have a great opportunity to fully benefit from their capabilities and talents, and to create best practice in the recruitment and retention of former ADF personnel," he said.
