Wayne Bemet: No I don’t coach the Rabbitohs….but I can help you with your finances

From the battlefield to the boardroom, Australia’s ex-military personnel are proving that the qualities forged in service, discipline, resilience and decisive leadership, are exactly what’s needed to succeed in business.

According to veteran-turned-CEO Wayne Bemet, those who’ve served in uniform bring an unmatched combination of focus, accountability and mission-driven thinking to entrepreneurship and corporate life.  That is the approach he brings to his role as head of head of National Service Financial, just don’t ask him how the bunnies are going to go on the weekend. 

“Yes, my name is Wayne Bemet.  You would not believe how many people think that I am actually  Wayne Bennett, coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.   My name is so similar that people are surprised when I tell them that I am not Wayne Bennett, but I have actually met him and he is a super nice guy,” Bemet said. 

“Aside from the constant confusion of being mistaken for Wayne Bennett, I am loving being able to apply my military experience to the growth of my business and help other veterans successfully transition to civilian life and take control of and build their financial future,” Bemet said. 

“Veterans are trained to adapt, solve problems under pressure and lead teams through uncertainty and that’s business leadership in its purest form.  These skills are highly useful in business. 

“The difference is, in the military, failure isn’t an option. You learn to think strategically, execute precisely and make decisions quickly, even when the stakes are high.”

From combat service to commercial success

Bemet’s own journey is proof of the power of military mindset in business. A decorated Australian Defence Force veteran who served five operational deployments, he was medically discharged after sustaining injuries that ended his military career.

Rather than crumble, he rebuilt. Today, he is the founder and CEO of National Service Financial, a fast-growing financial advisory firm that has helped more than 1,500 veterans regain control of their finances and rebuild their lives after discharge.

“Starting a business wasn’t about making money, it was about solving a problem,” Bemet said.

“When I left the military, I realised that many veterans were falling through the cracks, struggling financially because they didn’t understand the system or how to plan for the future. So I built a business to fix that.”

The ex-military advantage

Bemet believes the same traits that make people effective in the field make them exceptional in business.

“Veterans bring structure, integrity, teamwork and resilience, qualities that can’t be taught in a classroom,” he said.

“They’re trained to assess risk, adapt quickly and execute efficiently. When you apply that mindset to business, you get results.”

He also argues that ex-military professionals have an unparalleled work ethic.

“In defence, you learn that you’re part of something bigger than yourself,” Bemet explained. 

“That translates perfectly into business culture: it’s not just about profit, it’s about purpose.”

Building a new generation of veteran entrepreneurs

Now operating offices in Sydney and Coral Cove, Queensland, Bemet is helping to pave the way for more veterans to enter business. Through National Service Financial he is helping discharged personnel reconnect and recover and he’s proving that leadership doesn’t end when service does.

“Veterans are among the most capable, loyal and driven people you’ll ever meet,” Bemet said.

“They don’t need handouts, they need opportunity. When you give them a mission, they’ll move mountains to achieve it.”

For Bemet, the message is simple: “The best businesspeople I know aren’t just strategic thinkers,  they’re people who’ve already led teams, managed crises and delivered outcomes under extreme pressure. That’s what veterans do every single day. The military doesn’t just build soldiers, it builds world-class leaders.”

About National Service Financial

National Service Financial is a veteran-founded financial advisory firm dedicated to supporting current and former Australian Defence Force members through personalised financial planning, transition guidance and long-term wealth strategies. Founded by Wayne Bemet, a medically discharged veteran, the business brings lived experience to every client relationship. With a deep understanding of military life and the challenges of civilian transition, National Service Financial helps clients regain control, clarity and confidence. Now operating nationally, the firm also supports high-performing civilian professionals seeking structured, strategic financial advice delivered with integrity. Learn more at www.nationalservicefinancial.com.au.