Soldier On mentor Jeff McLean shared his story on ABC Radio Queensland last week, highlighting why finding meaningful work is central to wellbeing, and how mentoring helps veterans bridge the gap between service and civilian life.
When veterans leave the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the transition into civilian life is rarely straightforward. For many, it’s the first time they’ve had to search for a job, sit in an interview, or explain their skills in terms that employers can understand. Soldier On mentor and veteran Jeff McLean knows this challenge all too well, and he is committed to helping others navigate the journey.
Speaking on a recent ABC Radio Queensland roundtable discussion with fellow veterans, Jeff shared his own story of service and transition, highlighting why employment plays such a central role in veteran wellbeing and why mentoring programs like those offered by Soldier On are making a real difference.
From service to civilian life
Jeff’s life has been shaped by military service. Growing up in a veteran family – his father was a Vietnam veteran – Jeff joined the Army at just 16 years old. He began as a carpenter apprentice, before serving 12 years full-time and another decade in the Special Forces as part of the Army Reserve.
For Jeff, moving into civilian life was a gradual process. After leaving full-time service, he maintained part-time Army involvement while building an international corporate career. This gradual transition helped soften the change, but Jeff recognises that most veterans are not so fortunate.
‘Queensland is the home of the veteran, with nearly 200,000 living here,’ Jeff told listeners. ‘Every veteran’s story is unique, but there are some common themes. A lot of people experience a “hard stop” – particularly those who are medically discharged. That’s when the challenges really hit.’
The difference employment makes
Central to those challenges, Jeff says, is finding meaningful employment. Without it, veterans can face financial insecurity, strain on family life, loss of identity, and a diminished sense of purpose.
‘Employment is the key,’ Jeff said. ‘No matter what your role in life, if you don’t have employment, there are so many challenges around family, finances, belonging, vision, and even the motivation to wake up in the morning.’
‘You come out with this distorted view of the world, assuming everybody understands the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force. But the reality is very
Soldier On Mentor Jeff McLean
different. That’s where mentoring and structured support are critical.’
The transition can be daunting. Many veterans, particularly those who enlisted straight from school, have never worked in a civilian job, never written a resume, and never sat through an interview. Add to that the unique language of the military – full of acronyms and concepts unfamiliar to civilians – and it becomes clear why employers sometimes struggle to see the transferable skills veterans bring.
‘When you join the Army at 16 or 17 and leave at 30 or 35, you’ve never had a civilian job,’ he said. ‘You come out with this distorted view of the world, assuming everybody understands the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force. But the reality is very different. That’s where mentoring and structured support are critical.’
The Soldier On Mentoring Program
To address these challenges, Soldier On delivers an 18-week mentoring program designed to equip veterans with the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to thrive in civilian workplaces.
Participants in Soldier On’s mentoring program receive tailored guidance from a diverse range of mentors, some of whom bring pure business experience and insights and others who combine lived military experience with corporate knowledge. When the mentees and mentors come together with others in the program for two special group sessions, in addition to their individual one-on-one mentoring that forms the bulk of the program’s offering, it’s an opportunity to connect and network. Throughout the program, the aim is to not only demystify the civilian workplace but also highlight the strengths veterans bring: resilience, teamwork, loyalty, leadership, and an unmatched work ethic.
‘In the military, there’s no such thing as taking a sick day,’ Jeff said. ‘You go to work because people are relying on you, equipment needs to fly, missions need to be completed. Veterans carry that dedication into civilian life, and that makes them exceptional employees. Employers who recognise this are gaining enormous value.’
Building a culture that values veterans
Jeff also pointed out the differences he has seen between Australia and the United
States when it comes to recognising veteran skills.
‘When I worked in the U.S., every Veterans Day the CEO would shake your hand, thank you for your service, and pin a badge on you. It might seem corny, but those organisations actively recruited veterans because they knew the strengths they brought to the workplace,’ he said.
Encouragingly, Jeff believes Australian businesses are moving in the right direction. Ex-service organisations like RSL Queensland and Soldier On are working hard to connect veterans with job opportunities. Increasingly, companies are realising that hiring veterans isn’t just about doing the right thing – it’s about tapping into proven talent.
‘We are seeing great progress,’ Jeff said. ‘A lot of organisations are now looking to bring veterans into their teams because they understand the work ethic and value they deliver. It’s about speaking the same language and recognising the non-verbal cues that come from a shared background.’
Why support matters
For Jeff (pictured, right, with UPS President, International Operations), mentoring and employment programs are more than professional stepping stones, they are lifelines.
‘When you leave the military, you lose that mission,’ he said. ‘Support programs provide that sense of belonging, connection, and purpose again. They help veterans see a clear path forward.’
Through Soldier On’s programs, veterans can access not only career guidance but also social connection, health and wellbeing services, and family support, creating a holistic safety net during one of life’s biggest transitions.
Jeff’s message is clear: with the right support, veterans can thrive beyond service, and employment is at the heart of that journey.
‘Veterans already have the attributes employers want,’ he said. ‘All they need is the opportunity, and the support to bridge that gap.’
Learn more about Soldier On’s Mentoring Program here.
Listen to Jeff’s ABC Radio Queensland Interview below:
