KSC Claims surveyed over 160 current and former ADF members to highlight the reality of post-service life. The survey found that 54% of veterans identify securing employment as their main post-service concern, and 55% experienced difficulty adjusting to civilian life.
Who is Scott Leggo?
Scott Leggo is a retired Australian Defence Force (ADF) Air Force Officer. His story reflects the experience of many. Since leaving the ADF, Scott has openly shared his transition to civilian life, including the challenges he faced and how he found purpose through landscape photography.
Finding purpose and meaning:
KSC’s survey found that 22% of veterans reported difficulty translating their military skills into civilian life. For Scott, this was one of the biggest challenges: “The biggest transition challenge was having to educate others about my own Defence experiences and what skills I did or did not bring with me.” The survey also uncovered that 19% of veterans struggled to find purpose and meaning in the workplace after leaving the ADF. Scott adds that, “During the transition…it can be difficult to find a new sense of purpose, especially in a work environment where that sense isn’t always clear. Realising that purpose can be found beyond employment—in all aspects of life—was critical”. Scott was fortunate to discover this through his landscape photography business, and is now “driven by the purpose of sharing the beauty of Australia through my photography.”
For Scott, the biggest challenges weren’t always personal but social. “Some people had overly positive or overly negative perceptions of ex-Defence personnel. Many had strong stereotypes about what someone who is ex-Defence is like.”
The survey supports this, showing that in the workplace, 11% had experienced employer bias or stigma against veterans, contributing to feelings of mistrust, social isolation, and exclusion.
Getting support made a real difference for Scott. “Dealing with DVA seemed daunting at first. I engaged with an advocate who guided me step by step, handled most of the engagement, and made sure I understood my entitlements. That support made the whole process far less stressful and much more straightforward.”
KSC Claims empowers and supports veterans:
Luke Armstrong from KSC Claims adds:
“Leaving the Defence Force isn’t just about changing jobs, it’s about finding new purpose and support that truly understands the unique challenges veterans face. Unfortunately, many veterans don’t feel fully prepared for civilian life, and navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) claims process can add extra stress during this transition.”
“As a veteran-led provider, KSC Claims was born from our own experience navigating the DVA process while dealing with our scars from service. We wanted to create a service that we wish had been available to us, a straightforward, supportive guide through what can be a complex system.”
“Our mission is to help veterans navigate the claims process so they can focus on rebuilding their lives with the respect, empathy, and professionalism they deserve.”
