Transitioning from the Defence Force is a daunting prospect and can be challenging even with all the support networks in place. Many ADF Veterans who take the big step of moving into civilian employment will find it tough navigating the paths to finding the right career for them. Remote Imaging Solutions is a new and innovative company which prides itself on being fully owned and operated by ADF Veterans. Ben Durnin, Sean O’Grady and Neil O’Grady have set themselves apart by using their background and initiative to start a small business to build a future for themselves outside of Defence.
The three Directors are from the Navy and Army with 40 years of Defence service between them. Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Remotely Operated submersible Vehicles (ROVs), Ben, Sean and Neil capture imagery and data to help other businesses understand their assets, risks and monitor a range of variables over time.
Bringing the ability to fly above an area with high resolution cameras, or getting underwater to capture things not normally seen is of great value to companies who need to be sure that work is being conducted in the right manner, or assets are in good working order. Manipulating this data as an end product also has benefits that industries starting to understand.
RIS has conducted work on a range of projects in its first 12 months and continues to develop relationships with all its clients to find solutions that are outside the normal thinking of how something can be done. The ability to get a task, and find a safe, reliable and repeatable process is all part of the mindset of these Veterans. This was recently highlighted when the Centre for Defence Industry Capability promoted a case study of how the RIS team used a UAV to do an internal inspection of a Naval vessels empty fuel tank for a regular structural inspection – see full story HERE.
Ben spent 20 years in the Navy being a Sailor and Officer. He worked on a range of complex missile and RADAR systems with postings to both Adelaide Class Frigates and ANZAC Class Frigates. Multiple deployments to the Middle East and Border Protection also gives Ben a level of resilience and ability to be flexible and dynamic in the field.
Sean served 8 years in the Navy as a Submariner conducting work around Australia and the World in one of the most complex maritime vessels. As an Electronics Technician, Sean was able to master all the elements that make a submarine a formidable asset for the Government while operating in a safe manner. He understands the importance of trust and competence in an environment of high risk. These are skills that are invaluable when operating a UAV under the regulations of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, or putting a submersible vehicle in the water around a multi-million dollar asset.
Neil started in the Army as an Aviation Technician and then transferred to the Armoured Corp. He had postings to Darwin, Townsville, Brisbane and Puckapunyal in a wide range of roles. These have included positions that had him being part of the team in ASLAVs and Bushmasters. His personal highlight was being deployed to Operation Slipper in Afghanistan. Neil has professionalism and technical skills that compliment Ben and Sean in RIS. He has experiences under his belt that allows him to think strategically and act in a well planned and executed manner.
RIS plans to continue to expand in the market of Unmanned Vehicles and show industry how this new and capable technology can be a valued part of any work flow. As the company grows it certainly has a desire to find Veterans with the right skills and attitudes to help it grow to become a user of choice across many communities and businesses.