Australian Army veteran Dave Saunders’ career journey is a testament to the diverse and fulfilling career paths available to veterans both during and post-service.

Armed with a Bachelor of Music from the University of Adelaide, Dave Saunders went on to enlist in the Australian Army as a musician for eight years, performing at Defence and Government ceremonies, parades and public sports events locally and abroad.

This unique entry to the Army would provide Dave with the platform to play for iconic political figures like Barack Obama and the late Queen Elizabeth II – any musician’s dream.

“There was never a dull moment,” Dave reflected.

“Regardless of rank, I got to meet new people each day and forge relationships at every level. It truly was a diverse and exciting career path.”

With his sights firmly set on the future, Dave acquired his Master of Business from UNSW Canberra while serving in the Army, preparing him for the next phase of his career.

“My role in the Army took us to Canberra and later Sydney, but when the time came to leave, my wife and I decided that it was best to head home to Adelaide.” At the time, Dave’s eldest child was about to start school and it seemed as good a time as any.

“Adelaide has all the comforts of a big city; it’s a great place to set up a career and raise a family.”

However, leaving the Army is a daunting prospect, even for the most confident of veterans.

Dave leaned on the community, seeking support from the Veterans SA Mentoring Pilot Program (now in its third year).

“Figuring out how to translate my skills and experience proved to be challenging but the program helped restore my confidence, providing a safe place among industry peers and helping me forge a new career path,” said Dave.

Ultimately, the experience gained in logistics, training and operations management while serving in the Army landed Dave an administrative role in State Government for 18-months before returning to his roots as an Australian Public Servant (APS) in Defence for three years.

In 2022, Dave shifted gears once again, immersing himself in South Australia’s rapidly evolving space sector.

“I combined my knowledge in Defence with my new-found interest in the space sector, joining UniSA as a Project Officer for Defence and Space.”

In January 2024, Dave made his next career move, securing a role as Operations Manager at the Australian Space Weather Forecasting Centre, proving that the sky is no limit.

“Today, I get to lead a team of incredibly intelligent and dedicated space weather forecasters who monitor the sun for solar activity and issue forecasts, alerts and warnings to relevant stakeholders across sectors including space, defence, energy and aviation.”

And while space weather forecasting is a developing discipline, Dave is compelled by the untapped potential and what it might become in future.

Looking back on his diverse career, it’s clear to see complacency was never an option for Dave. “There’s always something new to learn and I enjoy a challenge.”

His advice to others wishing to enter the defence and space industries is to “get out and meet people”.

“There’s something for everyone – regardless of your qualification, skill set or technical prowess.”

Over the next decade and beyond, the demand will increase for Australian workers with trade, technical and science and technology skills within defence and space industries. The skills and knowledge gained by veterans from time served in the Australian Defence Force are invaluable and can be transferred to a wide range of jobs in the defence and space sectors.

Learn more about the pathways to find your place in defence and space.