Corey

Corey Wooten served in the Australian Regular Army as an Infantry soldier. He deployed on operations with the 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, to Afghanistan's steep mountains and valleys in 2009. During his time there, he would do what he was trained to do, seek out and close with the enemy to kill or capture him.

Today Corey lives a different life. He has traded the hills and valleys of Afghanistan for the Flinders Ranges; his enemy is no longer the Taliban; it is now the feral pests that destroy the natural flora and fauna, the wild goat. Corey spends his time here helping the landowners cull the feral pests to rejuvenate the area.

The landowners study the effects that culling goats have on the native flora and fauna, particularly the native birds; however, for Corey, this is not just about culling goats; It is a way for him to get out of the chaotic life of civilian society and get into the wilderness and take it back to basics, reset his mind and focus, ready to head back into his family life and job as a fly in fly out miner.

For a lot of veterans, life after service can be a tumultuous time. So, finding a hobby or activity that helps ease the uncertainty and storm that rages on inside the mind is vital to remain focused. Shooting and being out in the wilderness is just that for Corey; in the Flinders, he walks with ease about him, a sense of calm and tranquillity in an otherwise chaotic world.

Q: Can you share a little about your background, including your role in the military?

A: I joined in 2006 Army RAINF and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 as a Rifleman, prior to joining the defence Force I was a tradesman

Q: What motivated you to join the military, and how did that experience shape who you are today?

A: I joined with the intention to contribute to something and gain some skills along the way. My experience with Defence has been bitter sweet, made me a little less trusting of people.

Q: In what ways did you struggle with your identity and sense of purpose after leaving the service?

A: As a civilian no one cares what you did in the Army, people/ civilians have a limited appreciation for your service. This can be good and bad.

Q: How did you discover your passion, and how have these pursuits influenced your life after service?

A: My passion is family , fitness/ endurance sports and hunting. Training ismy happy place, I enjoy the challenge of pushing myself, I discovered this through training with a friend when they were going through a rough patch. Hunting is something that brings you back to reality, it’s somewhat primal.

Q: Are there specific coping mechanisms or strategies you relied on to navigate your transition?

A: My family played a big role keeping me grounded. Training, enables me to block out distractions, focusing on my thoughts as I run, ride or swim. Hunting is a different type of meditation, there are moments of complete silence giving time to reflect.

 Q: What role did community support play in your journey, and how did you find connections in civilian life?

A: Through my workplace and interactions with other athletes / friends I can talk things out.

Q: What advice would you give to other veterans who are currently navigating their own transitions?

A: Find one thing that you can do to make yourself happy, that has a positive impact on you and your family, it doesn’t need to be fitness or hunting like mine, it can be your family or study it can be volunteer work or you job this helps replace the sense purpose gained in defence. It also gives you back your identity or helps create a new one

Q: Looking ahead, what are your goals or aspirations for the future, and how do you hope to make an impact in your community?

A: I would like to train other athletes help others find the same joy I get from training and racing.