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Red Shield Defence Services

Veterans services

Walking alongside veterans and their families before, during and after their transition from military service, providing practical, emotional, spiritual and community support through The Salvation Army.

Our purpose

Walking alongside veterans and their families before, during and after their transition from military service, providing practical, emotional, spiritual and community support through The Salvation Army.

Vision: To ensure every veteran knows they are valued, connected and supported throughout their life beyond military service, continuing our over 125 year relationship between The Salvation Army Australia and the Australian Defence Force.

Values: Presence, relationships, trust, respect, compassion and hope.

Out team

Out team

Captain Ali McKeand is The Salvation Army Australia’s Defence Veterans Services Coordinator. She is also a Chaplain (Flight Lieutenant) in the Royal Australian Airforce and Defence Faith Group Lead Chaplain.

 

Ali became an Officer in The Salvation Army in 2012 and has served across Australia and Overseas.

 

She enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce in 2017 and is currently posted to RAAF Williams – Laverton & RAAF Base Point Cook.

What we do

Transition support

Supporting Australian Defence Force members as they leave Defence through:

  • Transition preparation
  • Connecting with local Salvation Army communities
  • Linking veterans with ex-service organisations
  • Employment and community referrals
  • Family support during transition

Spiritual care

Remaining true to The Salvation Army's mission by offering:

  • Chaplaincy
  • Prayer
  • Bible studies
  • Small groups
  • Memorial services
  • ANZAC and Remembrance activities

Advocacy

Helping veterans navigate systems by:

  • Connecting them with Department of Veterans' Affairs
  • Referrals to Open Arms
  • Housing support
  • Financial counselling
  • Mental health services
  • Emergency relief

Veteran wellbeing

Providing ongoing support through:

  • Pastoral care
  • Listening and mentoring
  • Welfare support
  • Practical assistance
  • Crisis response
  • Community connection

Community connection

Helping veterans find purpose beyond Defence through community integration:

  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Men's and women's groups
  • Coffee catch-ups
  • Sporting events
  • Local corps involvement
  • Community projects

Crisis and critical incident support

Working alongside:

  • Defence
  • Ex-service organisations
  • Chaplains
  • Emergency services
  • Local Salvation Army corps

During:

  • Suicide postvention
  • Family crises
  • Funeral support
  • Critical incidents
Organisation and training

Organisation and training

We are not, and will never be, and Ex-Service Organistion.

 

What we do aim to be, however, is a Veteran Safe national organisation who can, and will, serve those who have served through our pre-existing services and programs.

 

Training and Policy packages will continue to be developed and available to both the wider organisations and the general public.

Alignment

Red Shield Defence Services Defence Veteran Services
Serving members Former serving members
Defence bases Communities
Presence ministry Ongoing presence
Unit support Veteran community support
Serving members and families Veterans and families
Defence partnership Community and ex-service organisation

 

Rather than being separate ministries

We become one continuous journey

Serving

Transition

Veteran