Following Chapter 1, APOD’s Support & Engagement Manager and Army veteran, Wesley continues his story, reflecting on the skills he gained through service – and how he learned to communicate these values in civilian life when looking for employment opportunities.

“The Government has invested hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions of dollars into developing you and your skills”. 

Realising this was a turning point for me. Instead of focusing on what I lacked, I started recognising everything I had already gained.

In fact, the skills that you have honed and developed along the way are often qualities employers struggle to teach. Qualifications can be gained through study, but qualities like leadership, resilience, teamwork and performing under pressure are developed through lived experience. Once I understood this, I really started to unlock my potential and recognise my own worth. 

When I left service I felt like everyone else had degrees, corporate experience and spoke a different language I did not understand. Everywhere I looked, I felt under qualified. Then I realised something important. I had something that many other candidates didn’t, lived experience.

I had experience leading people, making decisions when it mattered, remaining calm under pressure, adapting to changing situations, taking responsibility and being accountable.  

Most people never receive formal training in these things but we did, every single day. 

One of the biggest surprises after leaving service is realising that employers are not focused on your rank. In fact outside of the uniform you begin to understand that rank is far less important than the person behind it. Employers are not recruiting your rank. They’re recruiting you. They want to know whether you can lead, solve problems, communicate and work independently as well as part of a team. Those qualities exist for most of us regardless of whether you were a Private, Sergeant or a Colonel. 

Before you can convince an employer of your value, you first need to recognise it yourself. 

Until next time, 

Remember this…. 

Knowing your worth is the first step. 

Learning how to communicate it is the next mission. 

– Wes.

To be continued in Chapter 3.

Get ready to level up your training gear with this exclusive APOD member offer.

Proudly military-inspired, EVA Athletic is honoured to offer Australian veteran and first responder families this deal as a way of saying thank you for your sacrifice.

Whether you’re upgrading your gym essentials or investing in durable training gear, this offer is the perfect opportunity to save more while getting more.

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Robby’s Walk in the Green – Honouring a life of service and mateship.

Created in memory of Robby – a veteran, mate, father, son and brother – this initiative brings together his family, mates, former serving members to honour his legacy and support others facing difficult times.

In October 2026, the team will undertake the Kokoda Trek in honour of Robby and all those we have lost, representing resilience, mateship and looking after one another when it matters most.

Support the Kokoda Trek honouring Robby and help provide practical support to veterans, first responders and bereaved families.

Learn more: https://apod.com.au/robbys-walk-in-the-green/

Hear from Wesley, APOD’s Support & Engagement Manager and Army veteran, as he shares his reflections on transitioning beyond the uniform and finding purpose after service:

“I wish I had a plan straight away even if it wasn’t perfect, just something to guide me”

This is something I wish someone had told me when I left service because, looking back, it would have made my transition a lot easier. When I discharged, I had no idea what I wanted to do next and that’s okay. But having even a simple framework to guide my thinking would have saved a lot of uncertainty and heartache. 

This isn’t meant to be a template or a how to guide for you to replicate. Everyone’s transition is different and there is no one-size fits all approach. Instead, I simply want to share what helped me navigate the challenges of finding purpose beyond the uniform, in the hope that it might help you find your own starting point. 

When I discharged medically, I spent so much time worrying about who I was without the uniform that I convinced myself I needed to totally rebuild my identity. It wasn’t until much later that I realised I wasn’t starting from scratch at all. The Army had helped shape who I was, it had taught me resilience, discipline, leadership and teamwork. These qualities didn’t disappear the day I discharged. They didn’t need rebuilding either they simply needed a new place to be applied.  

The biggest shift for me was understanding that leaving Defence didn’t mean my career had ended. It simply meant I was moving into the next chapter of it. 

Instead of asking myself, “Who am I now?” I started asking, “Where do I want to go from here?”  

That one change in mindset made all the difference. 

Like any good mission, I started with the end state. What did success actually look like for me? The answer wasn’t a particular job title or salary. I wanted to continue helping people because when I really thought about it, that was the reason I joined the Army in the first place.  

The uniform had changed, but my purpose hadn’t. 
Once I understood my mission, I could start building a plan around it. It wasn’t perfect and it certainly changed along the way, but having a direction gave me something I’d been missing, momentum. 

If there’s one thing I’d encourage anyone leaving service to remember, it’s this. You don’t need to have every step mapped out before you begin. Your first plan won’t be perfect and that’s okay. What matters is giving yourself a direction to move towards.  

Purpose isn’t something you lose when you leave the uniform. Sometimes, it just takes a little time to rediscover what it is.  

Your identity was never the uniform, it was the person the uniform helped shape. 

Until next time, 

Remember this…

You are not starting again. You are starting from experience. 

– Wes.

To be continued in Chapter 2.

Discover this month’s exclusive offers – helping you save across fashion, technology, home, lifestyle and automotive from trusted brands.

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And don’t miss these offers from our Veteran Owned Business community 🇦🇺

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At APOD, we’re proud to connect you with exclusive savings while supporting businesses – especially those owned by veterans. Enjoy the perks and happy saving! 🎉

Our latest offers are here, bringing savings across tech, travel, home, lifestyle and more.

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And don’t miss our veteran-owned business offers below!

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👉 Jericho Australia – 20% off beard care range, crafted for everyday grooming.

At APOD, we’re proud to connect our community with trusted brands and veteran and first responder owned businesses, helping members save on everyday essentials, travel, and lifestyle products.

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(EOFY offers end 1 July 2026. T&Cs apply. See offer page for details).

Brew better for less!

Breville’s EOFY sale is here, with savings of up to $1,000 on selected espresso machines. Better yet, APOD members can stack an additional 15% off on top of sale prices for even greater value.

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T&Cs apply, please see the offer page for more details.

Did you know that between January and May last year, APOD subscribers collectively saved an incredible $90,000 on Koala products alone?

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(T&Cs apply. Please see the offer page for full details)