Military Life- Episode 147 (PART 1 & 2)
In this episode of the Military Life Podcast, in celebration of the launch of my collaborative ‘YOUR VOICE’ campaign with Julia from The Home Post, a re-released episode- WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
TRIGGER WARNING – There is some discussion of suicide in these episodes. If these episodes bring anything up for you, please get in touch with FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000.
Not Sure why ‘YOUR VOICE’ is so important? Have a listen to this two-part discussion between myself, Defence Partners Marcelle and Julia, Veteran Partner Jo-anna, Veteran Widow and also the parent of a past serving member Madonna and Defence Partner and Psychologist Brooke.
We discuss why YOUR VOICE MATTERS and NEEDS TO BE HEARD and also;
- Where we, as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, fit when it comes to being included in conversations and decisions related to and that impact us
- How our voices are currently heard and considered via which avenues and opportunities
- The comparison between how American Military and Veteran Partners and Families are included and considered vs Defence and Veteran Partners in Australia
- The freedom and clarity that comes with being able to have more of a voice once your ADF member has transitioned out of Defence and the reflection that comes with transition
- How to work through feeling disconnected from the “cause” (the ADF) and living defence life
- Why Defence and Veteran Partners need to be given the tools and confidence to self-advocate more frequently and via various avenues
- We discuss how we, as Defence and Veteran Partners and Families, are being properly represented if a broad range of us aren’t being engaged and very few of us are being heard
- Dealing with feeling let down and unsupported and how to channel those feelings to impact change
- The disconnect between research and our qualified needs versus the actual available support and services
- Do Defence and Veteran Partners and Families have survey and research fatigue, and why clear, real and swift action needs to come from survey and research findings
- The trauma Defence and Veteran Partners and Families can experience as a consequence of the challenges experienced throughout defence and veteran life and its impact
- Why frequent and inclusive Defence and Veteran Partner and Family engagement needs to start at base level and filter UP
- Will there always be hesitation from Defence and Veteran Partners and Families to have a voice for fear of the repercussions when it comes to the ADF members’ careers?
- We discuss whether it is time for a completely independent organisation that is separate from Defence, Government, and Command to be created and also provide a voice
- What is the Defence and Veteran Partner and Family identity, and what are our needs?
- How can there be a true and complete understanding of that identity when there is a lack of meaningful engagement?
- Dealing with feeling unheard and as if we are being “swept along” by Defence and what that does to our core sense of safety
- We discuss the wide-ranging positive impact an engaged community can experience when they feel seen and heard and part of the conversation
- Why the existing avenues of support and services all need to have feedback avenues that are connected to positive improvement teams to ensure necessary changes are made
Be sure to listen to PART 1 and PART 2 and to learn more about the ‘YOUR VOICE’ Campaign (resources to make it easier *SO. MUCH. EASIER* for you to add your support to current, ongoing, and future Defence Partner and Family advocacy efforts).