Remembrance Day at Kinetic IT is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and first responders and the importance of honouring their contributions year-round.
Each year on November 11, Australians and New Zealanders come together to recognise the bravery of those who have served. This day holds deep significance, not only as a moment of reflection and gratitude but as an ongoing commitment to support veterans, first responders, and their families as they transition into new careers in technology.
The Challenges of Transitioning from Service to Civilian Careers
Transitioning from military or first responder roles into civilian life is a journey that comes with its own unique set of challenges. Many veterans and their family members face cultural and logistical shifts, navigating new professional landscapes, retraining for emerging industries, and re-establishing networks. First responders, similarly, face the challenge of finding roles that value the resilience, dedication, and crisis-management skills they honed in service. This transition is complex and deeply personal, as these individuals redefine purpose beyond the structure and camaraderie of military or service life.
Research from the Australian Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs suggests that the process can be particularly difficult, with approximately 40% of ex-ADF members indicating they encounter difficulties transitioning to civilian life. Factors such as the emotional toll of service, skill transferability, and limited awareness among employers about the unique benefits of hiring veterans can make this transition challenging. At Kinetic IT, we strive to bridge this gap by creating a workplace where veterans and first responders are not only welcomed but empowered to thrive.
Kindred Partnerships: Soldier On and Working Spirit
Our partnerships with Soldier On and Working Spirit underscore our commitment to supporting veterans as they build their post-service careers. Through our Soldier On Silver Pledge, Kinetic IT is part of a growing community dedicated to creating meaningful employment opportunities for veterans. As a proud Soldier On Silver Pledge partner, we’re committed to building a veteran-friendly workplace, supporting programs that make reintegration easier, and fostering career growth within our organisation. Soldier On provides holistic services to veterans, from career counselling to mental health support, making it easier for them to transition into fulfilling roles.
Recently, Kinetic IT entered a two-year partnership with Working Spirit, an organisation that has championed veterans’ employment in Australia since its inception. Together, we’re creating pathways for veterans to bring their skills into tech roles that not only match but enhance their strengths. Working Spirit’s Transition Employment Portal has already facilitated the placement of 25 skilled veterans at Kinetic IT. We’re excited to deepen this partnership by attending events and promoting awareness about veterans’ unique abilities in the tech sector, ensuring that those who serve our country find continued purpose and growth in their civilian careers.
Voices from Our Veteran & First Responder Crew
Kinetic IT is proud to have veterans and first responders among our crew, each bringing resilience, a sense of duty, and a drive to make a difference.
Tim Griggs, who served in the Australian Regular Army for 24.5 years, is now our Head of Defence & National Security, reflects on what helped him most in transitioning from service to IT:
“The ethos of service, and my experience and confidence in leading large teams in challenging environments, as well as stakeholder engagement, operations and project management.”
RELATED CONTENT: From the frontline: Tim Griggs on life after service
For Ryan Gray, Kinetic IT Operations Manager at Leeuwin Barracks and a volunteer Director of the Veterans Transition Centre, joining Kinetic IT meant joining a community.
“We have created an environment at Kinetic IT that is familiar and welcoming to veterans as everyone in the team, including myself, are either current serving ADF Reservists or veterans. We make it clear that this is an entry level role and therefore a stepping stone to transition from military to civilian career.”
Ryan knows that hiring veterans benefits everyone, with advantages for both organisations looking to enhance their security and veterans who want to reskill:
“[Veterans] are not only people with a broad and diverse skill set and the ability to learn tasks quickly, but they also often hold a Federal Government security clearance which can take upwards of 12 months to obtain if never held previously.”
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Our Veteran and First Responder Working Group, Action Plan and KNOT
To strengthen our commitment to veteran inclusion, we recently launched the Veteran and First Responder Working Group (VET&FR) at Kinetic IT. This group is dedicated to creating a sense of belonging and support for veterans and first responders within our team.
The VET&FR working group also supports the VET&FR KNOT (affinity group) which offers a platform for veterans to connect, share experiences, and support each other. The group recently held its first social event in Perth, with participants from across the VET&FR community joining to foster camaraderie and mutual support.
The VET& FR Action Plan, developed in consultation with the Working Group, has this month been endorsed by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Council. Actions include:
- Developing inclusive pathways of entry into careers at Kinetic IT for military and emergency services veterans and family members and ADF Reservists
- Providing mentoring and transition support to newly hired veterans and first responders during the first six months of employment
- Reviewing policies and processes that aid crew and their families during military or emergency service exercise and operational deployments
Stephen Sennett is honoured to be part of the VET&FR Working Group, having served as a Victorian Emergency Services Search and Rescue Operator for 5 years. Stephen, who is now a volunteer incident management officer and thought leader in Cloud Computing, speaks about what today means to him:
“Remembrance Day is both a chance to reflect on the sacrifice of our armed forces personnel, and how we might honour them. Part of that for Kinetic is how we might support both veterans and active reservists in their civilian careers; both honouring their service, and harnessing their unique experiences and characteristics as dedicated professionals, with a deep capacity for critical thinking and initiative, both as part of teams, and leaders in their own right.”
As we observe Remembrance Day, we at Kinetic IT reflect on the courage and dedication of veterans and first responders. Remembrance Day is a moment of honour, but our work to support veterans and first responders continues every day.
