When John Bale reflects on his journey from Army officer to co-founder of Soldier On, he speaks with the clarity of someone who has not only faced the challenges of transition but has also dedicated himself to creating solutions for others. From a kitchen-table conversation to supporting more than 26,000 veterans and their families, John’s story is one of innovation, collaboration and the power of purpose.
From service to support
John’s military career laid the foundation for his understanding of leadership, resilience, and risk management. Yet, it was his transition out of active service that truly shaped his mission.
‘When I first left the Army, I didn’t really know who I was without the uniform. You go from being part of something so clear, so structured, where you’ve got your mates and you’ve got your mission – and suddenly, you’re not part of that anymore,’ he says. ‘There’s a period where you think, “Where do I fit now?”, and I think that’s what a lot of veterans go through.’
John describes that time – of feeling disconnected from civilian life but also separated from Defence Force life – as ‘a strange middle ground, and it can be quite lonely’.
‘And I guess that’s part of why Soldier On was so important to me personally. It gave me a way to stay connected, to keep serving – just in a different uniform, if you like.’
Helping others navigate their transition required stepping fully into a new role – one that would support veterans in finding meaning and purpose beyond uniformed service.
Building Soldier On: Collaboration, curiosity and courage
Founded in 2012 by John, Dr Danielle Clout and Cavin Wilson, Soldier On began as a small initiative driven by a big idea: to support Defence personnel physically or psychologically impacted in the line of duty.
Their motivation stemmed from the impact of losing a much-loved mate, Lieutenant Michael Fussell, who was on his first deployment in Afghanistan, having previously deployed to East-Timor in 2006 and 2007. Michael was just 25 years old when he was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonation while conducting a dismounted patrol in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, on 27 November 2008
John says that his death ‘was hugely personal to me but obviously impacted Danielle…and Cavin too’.
‘An incredible guy, amazing family,’ he says. ‘You see the names on the wall, but you never think it’s going to be a mate. That was a real driver for why Soldier On was founded, and obviously for me personally, I wanted to do something that was meaningful, that made a difference to veterans – particularly in that space, in that really difficult period, where people are coming out of service and trying to find their way.’
With no prior non-profit experience, John and his co-founders leaned heavily on advice from veteran organisations, Defence personnel and corporate partners. KPMG and Minter Ellison were early supporters, while philanthropists and ambassadors such as Sir Angus Houston and Mark Donaldson VC helped lend credibility and momentum.
‘It was bringing people together and saying, well, you’re an expert in this or you’re seeing this, or you provide this. And we partner with a lot of organisations as well,’ John says. ‘There’s a number of charities we’ve partnered (with) right from the get-go who are all seeing the same kind of things.’
John emphasises that curiosity, collaboration and a willingness to listen were central to Soldier On’s success. From adventure races to the South Pole Allied Challenge, the organisation’s programs highlighted veterans’ experiences and opened doors for broader public connection.
Mentoring, governance and growth
Central to Soldier On’s early growth was the guidance of its Board.
‘It was an incredible support to Dani and Cavin and to the wider team that I was leading, which was pretty small to start with. … It was a mentoring board as well. So, I had the best of both worlds, if you will. And that mentoring was amazing.’
John says that understanding the nuances of leading a non-profit – different from Defence leadership – was crucial and acknowledges that the Board helped the organisation grow responsibly while maintaining its focus on veterans and their families.
A legacy of impact
He believes Soldier On’s growth and the large number of veterans and family members that have been supported throughout its journey to date is a testament to a combination of vision, collaboration and perseverance.
‘I was taken aback when you said 26,000, that’s truly incredible,’ John says. ‘So the fact that we’re here, the fact that the organisation has done that, and the incredible staff and the incredible volunteers and the incredible veterans who’ve used that service and support and many gone on to then provide their own either volunteer capability to Soldier On or to others, it’s a real privilege to be a part of it.’
Sharing contemporary veteran stories
John’s story is now the first episode of a 10-part podcast series, Saluting Their Service: Contemporary Voices of Bravery, launched today, 8 October.
The series shines a light on the lives of veterans and their families, exploring experiences during service and the transition to life beyond the Defence Force. Each episode shares the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned, offering insights for current and former service members alike.
Through this podcast, Soldier On continues to support veterans across Australia, sharing inspiring stories while reinforcing the organisation’s ongoing commitment to connection, purpose and resilience.
Tune into Spotify for the full episode: Saluting Their Service: Contemporary Voices of Bravery | Podcast on Spotify
