Adjusting to civilian life can be a difficult prospect for people leaving the Australian Defence Force, but a group of Brisbane ex-servicepeople believe they have found the perfect brew for success.
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That brew came in the form of 3 Elements Coffee, which would help fund post-military transitional training for veterans through Ex Military Direct.
Terry McNally, a former serviceman in the Royal Australian Navy, said the idea came "over a few beers" last October.
And the reasoning was simple.
"Everyone drinks coffee," Mr McNally said.
Named for the three arms of the Australian military, the army, navy and air force, 3 Elements Coffee launched with its aptly named Allied blend on Tuesday.
For every kilogram of 3 Elements Coffee sold, $5 would go directly to Ex Military Direct's training and transitioning programs, to help ex-service men and women gain employment in civilian life.
"At the end of the day, we're saying most of our guys aren't broken," Mr McNally said.
"Give them an opportunity to be part of the community, let them come back into the community and be part of the workforce."
The coffee was roasted in New South Wales by Caffco and people with disabilities were employed for that process.
"We're helping not just defence force guys here, we're helping other people as well," Mr McNally said.
For now, 3 Elements Coffee would be sold through its website – www.3elements.coffee – and some local cafes and restaurants.
Some of the bigger chains, however, could be a harder market to crack.
"The ones we have had conversations with are tied into coffee machine and extended contracts, so we've let them be and we're saying if you want to come to us, you can come to us," Mr McNally said.
The team behind 3 Elements Coffee had some lofty ambitions.
"I want it to be as big as it possibly can," Mr McNally said.
"I want to see smiling faces along the streets there. I want to see people who aren't committing suicide on the streets (or) broken families.
"I want to see people having the opportunity to live a normal life after they've left the services."
Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk helped launch 3 Elements Coffee in King George Square on Tuesday.
"It's all about recognising that often our defence forces, whether it be army, navy or air force, when they return to civilian life, it can be very difficult in that transitioning process," he said.
"We are seeing issues in our city and, in fact, right around this nation where ex-military personnel are struggling to make that transition.
"I always say that the best form of welfare is a job and what they want is a hand up – they don't want hand-outs – they simply want to be given the opportunity to make that transition.
"Often, in military life, there are skills that are adopted. The language may be different and that language might not be understood clearly by employers.
"So what this is about, through Ex Military Direct, is to make sure that transitioning can be made easier and that there be a growing understanding so that employers will take on these people that are coming out of our military services.
"Our country owes them that."
