Warrnambool's Beau MacLean discusses his journey after leaving the Australian Defence Force

The advanced medical technician's employment was terminated by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on the grounds of unfitness to serve.

Mr MacLean joined the force in 2011 and supported predominately infantry and artillery units all over Australia.

He suffered mental and physical health issues stemming from pressures working on the ground.

Then when he returned to civilian life, Mr MacLean said he felt like he'd been stripped of his entire identity.

The Warrnambool veteran is part of a group of men and women who spoke to The Standard after Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week bowed to mounting political pressure by launching a royal commission into suicide among ADF members and veterans.

The PM said he hoped the royal commission, to begin by July at the latest and likely to take up to two years to complete, would be "a healing process".

Mr MacLean, who moved to Warrnambool about 12 months ago, said the current support system was ill-suited to Australian veterans and serving defence personnel.

"You go from being told what to do everyday to literally nothing," he said.

"It's really hard trying to transition into a normal life. You don't feel supported and there's no one to advocate for people who need it."

Mr MacLean said he was in a dark place after leaving the force, often staying home and contemplating suicide.

"I'd wake up and wonder what the point was," he said.

The disconnect between the ADF and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) was where the system fell over, Mr MacLean said.

"The ADF decides you're getting out of the army before you even know and then you're spat out without being told what you're actually entitled to," Mr MacLean said.

Upon returning home, Mr MacLean embarked on the journey to getting his Veteran Gold Card, which provides clinically required treatment for all medical conditions.

"That was a full-time job in itself," he said.

"It's a really drawn-out process to prove an injury was sustained while in the force and I don't think there's enough assistance for people hoping to get their injuries assessed."

As a medic, Mr MacLean understood his own injuries which made the claims process less challenging.

"It took about 12 months for my injuries to be accepted and compensated for, which is a lot shorter than some," he said.

"I also had a good friend who knew what we were working with. Some people who return might have no idea what they're doing."

The Standard previously reported there was an unwritten rule among veterans that DVA would "muck you around for about six years before you received proper help".

Mr MacLean said during that wait, mental and physical health issues could worsen.

"I think DVA is run more like an insurance company," he said.

"They're there to help but they're also looking out for their own wallet."

Mr MacLean said the future would see DVA and ADF work closely together with other organisations such as veterans and families counselling service Open Arms.

"I think at this stage it's all a bit of a p*ss take," he said.

"When you do reach out you feel like a burden and that you're just wasting their time."

Two years on from being discharged, Mr MacLean said he's "never been in a better mental health state" and credited the Warrnambool community for helping him get to where he was today.

He said he was seeing an "amazing" doctor at Middle Island Clinic and knew he was well supported by local veterans such as Warrnambool's James Mepham, who helps run RSL Active.

"The medical support from Dr Eli Cowling and the connection and belonging I feel with RSL Active has been life saving," Mr MacLean said.

"And while I think efforts do need to come from the person themselves, I feel bad for veterans who battle a lot harder than I do and don't have the support network and connection that we have here in Warrnambool."

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