Life after service stories

From army sniper to change leader: finding purpose after service

After 23 years in the Australian Army, Jim thought carefully about what came next.

Having joined as an infantryman in 1994, he served across Australia in Townsville, Singleton, Brisbane and Canberra, spending much of his career as a sniper and deploying overseas on multiple occasions. Yet despite a long and successful military career, the decision to step away from full-time service wasn't driven by career ambitions. It was driven by family. 

Unlike many veterans who wait until after separation to think about their next move, Jim began preparing early. Recognising that his military experience alone might not be enough to open civilian career opportunities, he enrolled in the Army Tertiary Education Program and completed a Bachelor of Organisational Leadership. 

The decision proved transformative.

What began as an opportunity to broaden his skills introduced him to the world of change management, a field he now works in professionally.

"It opened up doors that I didn't know existed," he says. 

His transition in 2017 wasn't without challenges. While excited by the opportunity to start a new career with one of the big four consulting firms, Jim discovered that leaving the military involved more than changing jobs.

"The first six to 12 months is really hard," he reflects. "You lose that sense of worth when you remove the uniform." 

Today, Jim works in change management within Icon Water's Digital Technology Group, supporting people and organisations through periods of transformation.

The role draws heavily on skills developed during his Army career, particularly as an instructor at both the School of Infantry and the Royal Military College.

His advice to others considering transition is simple: have a plan, keep learning and continue investing in your own development.

"Whether it's a short course, TAFE or university, learning opens up doors," he says. 

"You're bringing valuable experience with you, but you need to be able to build on it and sell yourself for the role you want." 

For Jim, that investment in learning helped turn a difficult transition into a rewarding second career, proving that life after service can be about much more than simply leaving Defence. It can be about discovering new opportunities and new ways to lead.

Taking the leap: how one army officer built a new career beyond uniform

When James left the Australian Army in 2022 after almost 15 years of service, he felt something many veterans experience.

It felt like stepping into the unknown. 

A Major in the Infantry Corps, James had built his career leading teams, solving complex challenges and serving in roles at the heart of Army operations. But as his young family grew, he faced a difficult reality.

"The demands of service were becoming more than I was able to give," he says. "It's not a job you can half commit to." 

Instead of easing slowly into civilian employment, James deliberately chose a challenge. He joined the professional services sector, determined to quickly understand where his military strengths would help and where he needed to grow.

"I wanted a really clear contrast about where I was and where I needed to be," he says. 

After about five months, things started to click.

"Instead of needing to ask for help, people were coming and asking for my help," he says. "The anxieties lifted." 

One of the biggest lessons during that period was recognising that even experienced military leaders need to earn credibility in a new environment.

"You can be a great manager and leader, but until you've earned your stripes in a commercial way, you're not able to bring all of that to bear," he says.

Today, James is helping build a new strategy consulting capability at professional services firm Aldermayne. His work focuses on solving complex problems, bringing clarity to ambiguity and helping organisations navigate difficult decisions. 

While the environment may have changed, many of the skills behind his success remain the same.

"The Australian Defence Force is all about influencing people," he says. "Your ability to engage with people, from the most junior through to the most senior, is unparalleled in corporate." 

Leadership, relationship building, mentoring and supporting others continue to shape his professional approach every day. 

For veterans preparing for transition, James’ message is clear: don't do it alone.

"You're not alone, although it can really feel like it at times," he says. 

He encourages people to seek out others who have already walked a similar path, learn from their experiences and understand that many of the skills developed in service have real value beyond Defence.

"What you're really trying to do is say, 'I have a lot of value. It just needs a little bit of translation.'" 

For James, transition wasn't about leaving one career behind. It was about applying the lessons of service in a new way and continuing to make an impact after uniform.