Veteran Consulting Services by Jake Christie

I joined the Army in February 2015 as an Infantryman and was posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) in Adelaide. I loved wearing the uniform and made mates for life. A highlight was representing the Army and Australian Defence Force in Rugby League, playing NRL Anzac Day curtain-raisers in 2018 and 2019, and even a game in PNG.

I medically discharged in February 2021 after reconstructions on both shoulders and several other injuries. After discharge I lived with extreme hip pain for a couple of years before, at 28, having a total hip replacement on one side and a reconstruction on the other.

I navigated the DVA process on my own. Whenever a determination didn’t make sense, I researched and learned the system the hard way until I received the compensation I was entitled to. Since then I’ve helped many mates with their DVA claims and with getting the compensation they deserved, including a few who were paying for advocacy but felt left in the dark.

More recently I had the privilege of being part of Team Australia, competing at the Warrior Games 2024 in Orlando and the Invictus Games 2025 in Vancouver and Whistler. It was an incredible experience I’m extremely grateful for. I made new friends for life and got to compete and feel like an athlete again.

After those experiences, and spending time around other veterans, I realised I wanted to stay involved in the veteran community. With what I’ve learned about the DVA process—and encouragement from mates—I started my own business to help other veterans get the compensation they deserve.