Service and Beyond

Matthew Dank

Former Navy and Air Force pilot Matthew Dank speaks to former Australian Defence Force members on their career highlights, greatest challenges, and their personal experiences transitioning out of uniform. Matt uncovers how each individual shaped their options for future employment, professional and personal success, and how they navigated often complex transitions out of the military and back to civilian life. Matt explores the keys to building a rich career both in and out of uniform, and delves into the range of education, training, and support service options that are available for transitioning ADF members. Follow the conversation on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/serviceandbeyondpodcast/

  1. IG Episode 5 Stefan & Evelyn Huss

    06/09/2023

    IG Episode 5 Stefan & Evelyn Huss

    Stefan and Evelyn Huss tell their story of Stefan's service with the German armed forces and the powerful and beneficial impact that the Invictus Games and sports recovery has had on them and their family. Stefan Huss is a still serving Sergeant in the Bundeswehr. After his second Afghanistan mission in 2013 he developed post-traumatic stress disorder. His treatment in recovery for this condition including sports therapy which resulted in his becoming fully operational and deployable once again, and Stefan went on to specialise in the delivery of sports recovery for the German Army and since then he has been a champion for mental heath of current and former members of the Germany military. In 2017 Stefan was appointed to the team for the Invictus Games in Toronto, and he was elected Team Captain for the 2018 Games in Sydney. As one of three ambassadors, Stefan is the face of the INVICTUS GAMES DÜSSELDORF 2023. In this episode we also cover the ongoing discussions within Germany around a national day of recognition for veterans and service personnel, and the place of veterans within German society. The legacy of Germany's history in the two world wars still feature heavily in public debate, however there are a new generation of German service personnel who believe the time for recognition has come. This Invictus Games 2023 series charts the journey of current and former Invictus Games athletes from a range of countries covering their military careers, their deployment histories and the injuries they sustained. We talk about their experience of life changing injury, and their remarkable physical and emotional recover through training and competing in adaptive sports and through the Invictus Games.   Invictus Games Dusseldorf  https://invictusgames23.de   https://www.instagram.com/huss_stefan/ https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org

    57 min
  2. IG23 Episode 4 Francine Dudfield

    06/09/2023

    IG23 Episode 4 Francine Dudfield

    Francine Dudfield served 7 years as an Australian Army medic and trained to support special forces operations, going on to obtaining advanced rescue qualifications with New South Wales emergency services and deploying on operations within the Asia Pacific. After suffering a series of deteriorating medical conditions Francine was discharged from Army, dealing at the time with chronic pian, family breakup, and the unknown of a forced career transition. Inspired by Sydney 2018 Invictus Games Francine applied for the Invictus Games, quickly making connections to community sports groups and experiencing a shared sense of belonging and purpose. The Invictus experience has allowed her to recast her experience and perception of her departure from military service, while learning to better manage her physical recovery.   In this episode we also touch on the fine balance between determination tenacity learned in military service and self compassion and the need to listen to the body when undergoing recovery from complex injuries. Francine is a member of the 2023 Australian Invictus Games team and is competing in Powerlifting, Rowing and Sitting Volleyball at Dusseldorf. This Invictus Games 2023 series charts the journey of current and former Invictus Games athletes from a range of countries covering their military careers, their deployment histories and the injuries they sustained. We talk about their experience of life changing injury, and their remarkable physical and emotional recover through training and competing in adaptive sports and through the Invictus Games.   https://invictusaustralia.org https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org Invictus Games Dusseldorf  https://invictusgames23.de

    42 min
  3. IG23 Episode 3 Rachel Kerrigan

    06/09/2023

    IG23 Episode 3 Rachel Kerrigan

    As an engineer with the Royal Australian Air Force Rachel Kerrigan saw active service with the International Coalition Against Terrorism in 2002, five years later a series of life changing events triggered trauma from her deployment and she was medically discharged. In 2010 she was diagnosed with PTSD and suffered a stress induced stroke. The turning point to recovery was the ever present support from her 8 year old daughter Kiara, who encouraged her to take up adaptive sports and apply for the 2016 Invictus Games. Rachel has been an Invictus Games competitor, coach, ambassador for the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games and was previously responsible for bringing new veterans into adaptive sports programs in Australia, as a veteran engagement specialist for Invictus Australia. This year she is a special advisor to The Conversation a forum held by the Invictus Games Foundation, which aims so share best practices for the recovery wounded injured and sick service personnel. Rachel has had a lifetime connection to horses, and today we also tell the story of the role equine therapy played in Rachel overcoming PTSD and learning to rebuild trust. This Invictus Games 2023 series charts the journey of current and former Invictus Games athletes from a range of countries covering their military careers, their deployment histories and the injuries they sustained. We talk about their experience of life changing injury, and their remarkable physical and emotional recover through training and competing in adaptive sports and through the Invictus Games.   https://invictusaustralia.org https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org Invictus Games Dusseldorf  https://invictusgames23.de   https://montyroberts.com Equine Encounters Australia:  https://www.equine-encounters-au.com/ Spur Equine Program:  https://rsllifecare.org.au/veterans-services/spur Remount:  https://remount.org.au/ The Healing: https://thehealing.com.au/

    1 h y 32 min
  4. IG23 Episode 2 Kionte Storey

    06/09/2023

    IG23 Episode 2 Kionte Storey

    Kionte Joined the United States Marine Corps to meet a call for adventure and to go beyond his home town of Compton California. On completing infantry training Kionte saw service in Iraq and later in Afghanistan, where he was struck by an IED blast resulting in the loss of his leg, traumatic brain injury and PTSD. Soon after his repatriation to the US Kionte turned to the track, trying his hand at adaptive sports. He was quickly identified for his talent and potential and within 2 years was competing nationally. Between track training and marathon running, Kionte took to mountain climbing, summiting peaks in Antarctica and Africa to challenge himself further. It was while facing defeat when attempting to climb Mt Vinson in Antarctica that Kionte realised his full potential to overcome any challenge Kionte's drive to overcome has been channelled into his career and academic studies, and finding ways to go beyond his previous brain injury, he is well on his way to completing two degrees building his dream of becoming a physical therapist. In this episode we also touch on the central role of Kionte's service dog Koja in aiding with his PSTD recovery over the decade following his injury. Kionte is a member of the 2023 Invictus USA team having first competed in The Hague in 2022. This Invictus Games 2023 series charts the journey of current and former Invictus Games athletes from a range of countries covering their military careers, their deployment histories and the injuries they sustained. We talk about their experience of life changing injury, and their remarkable physical and emotional recover through training and competing in adaptive sports and through the Invictus Games.   https://invictusteamus.com https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org Invictus Games Dusseldorf  https://invictusgames23.de   https://www.instagram.com/kiontestorey/

    51 min
  5. IG23 Episode 1 David Wiseman

    06/09/2023

    IG23 Episode 1 David Wiseman

    David is a former British Army infantry officer who suffered a near fatal wound in a combat exchange in Afghanistan in 2009. Following his injury and after his military career, David has been instrumental in the Invictus Games movement playing key roles in the organising committee of the inaugural games, as UK team captain and as a competitor where he was won 14 medals across 3 games. David's remarkable physical and psychological recovery which saw him embark on a series of mountaineering challenges while recovering from his injury has inspired thousands of wounded injured and sick former service people to take up adaptive sports. David is now the Director for International Development at the Invictus Games Foundation where he is responsible for the growth of the Invictus Games, welcoming new nations into the Invictus family. This Invictus Games 2023 series charts the journey of current and former Invictus Games athletes from a range of countries covering their military careers, their deployment histories and the injuries they sustained. We talk about their experience of life changing injury, and their remarkable physical and emotional recover through training and competing in adaptive sports and through the Invictus Games. Invictus Games Dusseldorf  https://invictusgames23.de We are Invictus online community https://weareinvictus.co.uk/#/welcome https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org   https://twitter.com/wiseshow https://www.peakstate.org   Netflix - Heart of Invictus https://www.netflix.com/title/81443485

    57 min
  6. 05/02/2022

    Boeing Veterans - Dr Brendan Nelson President of Boeing Australia

    This is Part 3. of the Boeing Veterans series and features Dr Brendan Nelson AO - President Boeing Australia New Zealand and South Pacific. Dr Nelson commenced his career as a medical doctor in Tasmania and was elected President of the Australian Medical Association before moving onto senior roles in government and public life. These included Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Defence, and Ambassador to NATO Belgium Luxembourg and the EU. Brendan served for 7 years as Director of the Australian War Memorial before joining Boeing. In 2018 RSL conferred Honorary Life Membership upon Dr Nelson for his services to and support of veterans and ex-service organisations.   In this episode we examine Brendan's long connection to Defence Force personnel and veterans, commencing from his upbringing surrounded by family stories of service from World War 1. Brendan discusses his career and path to senior leadership, and his diplomatic post where he developed an even deeper connection to Australian World War I history and sacrifices.   We discuss the modern period of conflict from September 11 2001 onwards, and the growth of ANZAC day as a national symbol of meaning amid the heightened position of our Defence Force in the national consciousness. Brendan covers the growth of Australian defence industry in supporting the ADF and the close co-operation that defines the current relationship between the ADF and the range of defence industry participants.   We touch on the development of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (Loyal Wingman) Australia's first locally designed combat aircraft in more than 50 years, as a combined effort of 35 Australian companies.   Brendan discusses the future focus on career flexibility and movement of people between Defence and industry, and the recent Afghanistan evacuation as an example of this model in practice.   Brendan discusses the values, culture and experience that Defence veterans bring to employers and the extraordinary efforts of small to medium size veteran owned business in mentoring and guiding former serving members into meaningful employment as recognised by the Prime Minister's Veterans Awards.   Follow the show https://www.instagram.com/serviceandbeyondpodcast/   Link to Boeing Veterans https://www.boeing.com.au/boeing-in-australia/community/veterans.page   Dr Brendan Nelson https://www.boeing.com/company/key-orgs/boeing-international/brendan-nelson.page   Prime Ministers Veterans Employment & Awards https://www.veteransemployment.gov.au

    33 min

Acerca de

Former Navy and Air Force pilot Matthew Dank speaks to former Australian Defence Force members on their career highlights, greatest challenges, and their personal experiences transitioning out of uniform. Matt uncovers how each individual shaped their options for future employment, professional and personal success, and how they navigated often complex transitions out of the military and back to civilian life. Matt explores the keys to building a rich career both in and out of uniform, and delves into the range of education, training, and support service options that are available for transitioning ADF members. Follow the conversation on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/serviceandbeyondpodcast/