Kinetic IT is partnering with Soldier On once again as a Silver Pledge Partner for 2022. To celebrate our partnership with Soldier On, we’re featuring stories from service veterans now working at Kinetic IT. Our veterans share their insights about why they chose to serve and which skills have helped them transition and develop their IT careers.
Timothy Griggs is Kinetic IT’s Head of Service Delivery working for the Australian Department of Defence in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. As one of Kinetic IT’s crew on the ground, Tim has worked with the Department for approximately 17 months leading the delivery of a range of services, projects and transformations for the customer. We asked Tim five questions about his time in service and his life after service – and how he ended up in IT.
1. Why did you choose to serve on behalf of Australia?
I was the son of a career Army Officer, and from my early days, I had wanted to join the Australian Defence Force. I initially wanted to be a fighter pilot but ultimately settled on the army. My drive was to serve.
2. Can you tell us what part of the armed forces you served in, and for how long?
I served in the Australian Regular Army for 24.5 years from 1989 to 2014. The branch of the army I served in was the Royal Australian Artillery.
3. What was the biggest lesson you learned during your time in service?
As a Commanding Officer on warlike operations, the responsibility for preparation, deployment into and out of theatre and the 24/7 command of my Team was an immense privilege, but it was a sobering, all-consuming and mentally draining time. The burden of doing everything I could to bring all of my team home safely weighed heavily, as it should.
4. What, from your time in service, helped you the most in your transition to an IT career?
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.
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5. What advice would you give to veterans looking to move into a career in IT?
Firstly, look closely at the myriad of IT training opportunities being made accessible to veterans that will enhance your base IT knowledge and marketability.
Second, use the huge network of veterans out there to ask questions, check your CV, help answer questions about the transition, and more.
As it was with me, almost every veteran who transitioned out of uniform into industry was helped by another veteran along the way, so you will find they are willing to pay that forward to another veteran.
About Kinetic IT and Soldier On
Kinetic IT is partnering with Soldier On once again as a Silver Pledge Partner for 2022. Signing the Soldier On pledge shows Kinetic IT’s commitment to enabling veterans and their families to thrive by providing support and employment opportunities, in collaboration with the Soldier On Pathways Program.
Established in 2012, Soldier On is a not-for-profit veteran support organisation delivering a range of early intervention services to veterans and their families in multiple locations across Australia. Kinetic IT has had an ongoing community partnership with Soldier On since 2019.
RELATED CONTENT: Kinetic IT signs the Soldier On Silver Pledge 2022
Read more about our partnership with Soldier On on our website. For more information or how you can support, visit the Soldier On website. You can also find out more about Our Partners here.
