Royal Commission: Veterans and families share their lived experiences in new report
These excerpts from submissions to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide reveal systemic issues in Defence culture and an opportunity to better support veterans and families.
By Lachlan Haycock
This article discusses veteran suicide and other issues that may impact the veteran community. If any of this raises issues for you, don’t go through it alone:
- Open Arms 24-hour Support Line (1800 011 046)
- Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467)
- Lifeline 24/7 Crisis Support (13 11 14)
Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing is a new publication from the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide that delves into the lived experience of veterans serving in, leaving and starting a new life after Defence, and of their colleagues and families.
RSL NSW, our charity partner RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, RSL Australia and other partner organisations are committed to supporting the Royal Commission’s findings and recommendations.
Below, we present a selection of the experiences submitted to the Commission, which paint a picture both of systemic issues causing mental health issues for current and former Defence personnel and families, and of opportunities for ex-service organisations (ESOs) such as RSL NSW to be the support network that veterans and families seek.
Military service
Shining a Light illustrates the raw experiences of serving Defence personnel with extraordinary veracity, covering allegations of bullying, hazing, harassment, assault, substance abuse and violence.
One Air Force veteran with 30 years’ service under his belt recalls the impact of his first deployment.
“I began to drink heavily in order to be able to sleep at night and, along with the onset of a myriad of other conditions, was subsequently diagnosed with alcohol abuse disorder … I never discussed any of these issues and/or feelings with anyone, not my wife, close friends, workmates etc.
“I have long since learned that it would have been one of the most fundamentally important things to have [spoken up]. However, at the time, Defence didn’t mandate that I discuss these issues with anyone, let alone a psychologist.”
(Note that the voice used in the above soundbite is AI-generated and not that of a real person. The same applies to the soundbites throughout this article.)
An Air Force chaplain describes how her chain of command failed to act against a male colleague she had reported as having abused her.
“An organisation’s culture is only as good as the worst behaviour that the leadership is willing to accept, and in my case senior leaders were willing to accept bullying, sexual harassment, assault, sexual assault and threats to kill.
“It is little wonder that we are having a Royal Commission when there is such a huge failure in our senior leaders to have the moral courage to do the right thing.”
These stories expose fatal flaws within the culture of Defence, which at an institutional level is unequipped to handle claims of malfeasance.
Transitioning out
For many veterans, transitioning out of Defence complicates rather than alleviates these problems. One current Defence member says the process takes “way too long”.
“There are too many hoops … that need to be [jumped through] to even get to [the] stage where you actually finally have some light at the end of the tunnel.”
That light is often in the form of a supportive network of mates – which a veteran is prone to lose the moment they step out the door. According to a Navy veteran who served for 35 years, her sudden medical discharge left her figuratively and literally stranded.
“You no longer have access to [Defence] bases, meaning a veteran is suddenly cut off from their unit medical support team, rehabilitation facilities, mess facilities, shipmates and colleagues. It is beyond cruel to face that finality.”
Yet support does exist. One Army veteran’s struggle to find suitable civilian employment was relieved after he joined the RSL Employment Program.
“You are told in Defence you’ll have no troubles finding a job, that everyone wants you and that your skill sets are better than everyone else. Then when you get out, and especially when you don’t want to get out, you can’t get a job anywhere.
“[The RSL Employment Program helps] find you jobs. I had someone help me with my resume and my cover letter. It was all free and an excellent experience.”
Learn how the RSL Employment Program helps veterans and partners thrive in their career.
Impact on family
Veterans never serve alone – their families often make as many sacrifices. The partner of an Army veteran witnessed significant changes in her spouse as a result of service.
“I am a spouse of a Defence member who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since his many tours, there have been two suicides of fellow colleagues. I believe he exhibits risk-taking behaviours and is more greatly affected by events that occurred than he will admit.”
The mother of an Air Force veteran who took his life in 2007 says that she was initially supported “throughout the funeral and during the inquiry into his death”.
“But when the report was handed down we were shocked by what the commissioner had written … It was very brief [and] laid the blame solely on his ex-partner and their separation.
“It did not take into account that suicide doesn’t come about due to one factor.”
Read how the RSL NSW Veteran Support Fund is making a difference in the lives of veterans and families.
Seeking support
Some veterans have rightly felt let down by ESOs in the past, which may not have been there for them in the way they needed. They are described as a “self-licking ice cream” by one Navy veteran, who also described the RSL as lacking in representation.
“The general feeling is that the boards of most RSLs are older and unfortunately out of touch.”
This sentiment is echoed by numerous contributors.
“The RSL is suffering the same issues the Vietnam vets faced from the WWII vets – the majority are elderly and retired and don’t understand the issues the younger vets face.”
RSL NSW recognises that Shining a Light is indicative of the challenges facing veterans and those in their networks. It will be a challenging read for many in the community, but RSL NSW believes we cannot shy away from understanding – and learning from – the lived experience of veterans and their families.
In the past, some parts of the RSL have let down veterans and families in their time of need – but times have changed, and RSL sub-Branches are inclusive locations offering mateship and connection. There are more than 310 across the state – find one close to you.
RSL NSW firmly believes that the entity that follows the Royal Commission should have a role in supporting the implementation of the recommendations, while also keeping a permanent watch on the wellbeing of veterans and their families.
To that end, RSL NSW has facilitated workshops designed to foster cooperation among ESOs and collaborate on priority issues such as the establishment of a peak body for the ESO sector.
RSL NSW is committed to continue providing essential support and services to veterans and their families. RSL LifeCare Veteran Services, the charity partner of RSL NSW, provides free advocacy, claims and appeals support, and the statewide network of Veterans’ and Families’ Hubs, supported by RSL NSW, offers in-person services.
