Service in the Royal Australian Airforce
Michael joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a 17-year-old recent school leaver, accepting a role as an Aircraft Life Support Fitter in 2006, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. He underwent trade training at Wagga Wagga before being posted to RAAF Base Edinburgh near Adelaide. From there, Michael embarked on various deployments, both national and international, contributing to operations that mattered deeply to him.
But with the fulfillment that a life in service brings, so too come its challenges.
“Service life began taking a toll on my personal relationships with partners, friends, and family,” Michael says. “I reached a point where I hoped to return to my hometown, but after trying and failing on numerous occasions to secure a posting closer to my family, I had to make the difficult decision to discharge from the RAAF in 2014.”
During his transition from military life back into the civilian world, Michael faced numerous struggles. Throughout his transition, he found himself feeling lost, with limited skills, and without opportunities. He describes this time as an extremely difficult period of his life, filled with uncertainty and doubt. Like many veterans, Michael came to rely on the relationships he had built during his military service, with friends who became family.
“As I moved through my initial discharge period, I developed a steadfast commitment to maintaining a positive mental attitude, even in the face of adversity,” he says. “Where I’ve encountered challenges in the past, Soldier On has always been instrumental in helping me overcome them.”
Taking flight at CHC
Michael was recently presented the opportunity to join the Soldier On Mentoring Program when he connected with Soldier On Education Officer and Mentoring Program Coordinator, Hugh Allen.
“Initially when the program kicked off, I reached out to Hugh and said I was looking for a mentor,” Michael shared during a six-week check-in about his program experience. “We had a talk about my situation, and he matched me with someone he thought would be very beneficial to my aspirations. I’ll tell you what, he was dead on the money.”
Throughout the program, with guidance from his mentor, Executive Coach Peter Whitelaw, Michael honed his resume and LinkedIn profile, identified areas for improvement, worked on building up a set of soft skills, and took up nationally recognised training opportunities, all with the goal of ultimately providing a better future for himself and his family.
“Every week Peter comes back at me and throws out different ideas for development…we’ve done spreadsheets, worksheets, questionnaires, skill building exercises, and Peter even sent relevant literature by mail, it’s all been incredibly beneficial to me,” says Michael. “It’s changed the way that I think about what I’m doing and my work-life balance, and how I can progress forward into my 40s and 50s.”
“I feel that my participation in the Soldier On mentoring program was instrumental in my successful appointment as Defence Contract Manager at CHC Helicopter. I have developed a new professional mindset and am eager to dive into the dynamic and challenging world of Defence contracting, where every day promises new opportunities for growth and learning.”
Michael’s new role at CHC Helicopters in Nowra allows him to remain close to his family and leverages both the soft and hard skills he developed during his military service, combining his passion for Defence with his commitment to making a positive impact. In this position, he ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operations while supporting Defence-related missions.
“Joining the Mentoring program has worked out really well for me so far; I can’t sing it’s praises enough,” he says.
Our Mission Through Mentoring
Over the past four years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to the Mentoring Program’s evolution with immense pride. Serving as an opportunity for both personal and professional development, the program’s continued delivery of inspiring results for both mentees and mentors is a significant way for us to deliver on our mission to enable veterans and their families to thrive.
As the Mentoring Program Coordinator, Hugh has a passion for maximising participants’ potential. He embodies our commitment to guiding individuals toward their goals, fostering a deeper understanding of their unique skill sets, and unlocking pathways to success that may have seemed out of reach. Hugh’s genuine connections with each mentor and mentee allows him to pair participants meaningfully and provide authentic support.
Beyond landing his dream role, the most significant aspect of Michael’s growth through the Soldier On Mentoring Program has been his evolution as a leader and a potential future mentor. He, like many others, has wholeheartedly embraced this opportunity, understanding that leadership is about more than just imparting knowledge – it’s about empowering others to reach their full potential.
“The Soldier On Mentoring Program has been instrumental in my journey of personal and professional growth, and I’m eager to see where the future leads,” Michael says. “With the continued support of the program and my mentor, Peter, I am confident that I can reach new heights and make a lasting impact.”
Cohort 1 for the Soldier On Mentoring Program will run from 3rd March 2025 – 4th July 2025. Applications open 6th January and close 11th February 2025. If you’re interested about learning more, please contact our team at education@soldieron.org.au.
