What Does Social Work Look Like in the Defence Forces?

Welcome back to Social Work Café!

Today, I’m thrilled to share insights from my recent podcast conversation with Sim Rajkumar—a talented and compassionate social worker whom I studied with during our undergrad years.

Sim’s journey from India to Australia and her path from psychology to social work offer rich lessons in resilience, adaptability, and the diverse applications of social work skills.

Originally from Mumbai, Sim first stepped into the helping professions through psychology, which in India often has a hands-on approach similar to social work.

Although she initially pursued a business degree at her father’s suggestion, the academic journey brought her to Australia, where she ultimately found her true calling.

Despite finding her business studies uninspiring, Sim completed her degree in regional Wagga Wagga, which ended up being a fortuitous choice; it led her into social work, a field where she felt a real sense of belonging.

After finishing her studies, Sim began her career in mental health in Wagga before moving and settling in Newcastle. Her diverse career path has included several different roles, but she found her niche in 2016 when she joined Defence—a field that’s been her home ever since.

In our conversation, Sim shared her wealth of knowledge on working in Defence, a setting that’s still relatively unfamiliar to many social workers, including myself.

Sim’s work in Defence is complex and multilayered, encompassing micro-level support for individuals and families, meso-level management responsibilities, and macro-level collaborations with command chains.

According to Sim, her role is primarily twofold: she offers casework and case management services to support Defence members and their families, providing brief intervention counselling and guidance.

Additionally, she plays a consultative role, advising the chain of command on personnel matters, which has a critical impact on the wellbeing of those serving.

The multilevel nature of this work highlights the dynamic, adaptable skill set required to serve in such a unique capacity.

I was particularly struck by how social work in Defence not only calls for empathy and counselling skills but also demands a deep understanding of the structured, hierarchical environment that characterises military culture.

In Sim’s words, it’s a “unique” area of practice, especially as she’s able to work under the title of “Social Worker.”

This might seem like a small detail, but for many in our field, it’s significant; the term “social worker” is often being phased out in other areas of practice, so the title carries both pride and purpose for Sim.

The role’s varied nature, coupled with the multidisciplinary team she’s a part of, adds another layer of meaning. Sim shared that each team member has a distinct role, with role clarity being essential for effective collaboration. This structure allows her to stay engaged and avoid burnout—something she feels has helped her sustain a long career in Defence.

Another standout element Sim touched on was the supportive workplace conditions, an aspect many social workers grapple with in their careers. As social work conditions become increasingly strained, Sim feels fortunate to be in a role that offers fair pay, strong benefits, and ample resources. These factors play a huge role in job satisfaction and career longevity, serving as a reminder of the importance of advocating for workplace conditions that support both the professional and personal needs of social workers.

For those considering a social work role in Defence, Sim advised a strong foundation in brief interventions, especially in face-to-face contexts. She highlighted the need for solid report-writing skills, essential when conveying insights to command leaders who make critical decisions based on these reports. I couldn’t agree more—our words hold significant power, and within Defence, their impact is even greater, affecting the lives and careers of individuals in direct ways.

In our final part of the conversation, we discussed Sim’s favourite social work technique, with a focus on the solution-focused brief therapy model. This approach uses techniques like scaling and the miracle question to help clients visualise positive change and set realistic, tangible goals.

I, too, have a soft spot for solution-focused methods, which allow clients to articulate actionable steps, fostering hope and motivation. Sim’s thoughtful application of this model is a testament to her dedication to empowering those she works with.

I am deeply grateful to Sim for sharing her experiences and wisdom.

Chatting with her took me back to our student days, particularly when she spoke about the transformative impact of her second placement—an experience that pushed her to expand her empathy and confront her own assumptions.

Sim is a shining example of a social worker willing to challenge her own perspective to serve her clients better.

Thank you, Sim, for taking us on this insightful journey into Defence social work!

For all the Social Work Café readers and listeners, stay tuned—there’s always more to explore and learn together.

Dr. B