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A “Justice for Veterans” fundraising campaign has been launched online by former Australian Special Forces team leader, now Kinetic Fighting founder, Paul Cale.
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The campaign, launched in November, will reportedly raise funds to assist Cale in fighting the federal government in the High Court and attempt to set “legal precedent that will protect all veterans with future dealings with government”.
Cale has previously spoken publicly about alleged unfair treatment of his company Kinetic Fighting and veterans by Defence and the federal government.
The Justice for Veterans campaign has so far raised more than $14,130 from more than 125 donations towards a target of $100,000.
“I have put all I have into this David versus Goliath battle for the rights of veterans who have been asked to serve beyond the war and left out in the cold by the government,” he said in the fundraising campaign.
“We have a strong legal case lead by Kings Counsel with a strong likelihood of success.
“The outcome will set a legal precedent that will protect all veterans with future dealings with government.
“Upon a successful legal outcome I will donate the amount raised back to veteran charities.”
Cale, who has overseen delivery of the Army Combatives Program and Individual Combat Behaviours training for the Australian Defence Force, was previously involved with the Australian Army for 30 years. A former member of the Special Forces, he served in the 1st Commando Regiment and 4RAR Commando before he became a founding member of the 2nd Commando Regiment (2CDO) in 2009.
As a Commando, Cale was deployed five times on combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq and at home served as a team leader in the Tactical Assault Group, Australia’s elite anti-terror unit comprised of Commandos (TAG-East) and SAS operators (TAG-West).
Cale is the chief instructor of Kinetic Fighting, a company delivering advanced, customised skill-enhancement programs for the Australian Defence Force, government agencies and the public.
Cale, the Australian Army’s subject matter expert for the Army Combatives Program, has also previously spoken about his experiences in Afghanistan as a member of 2nd Commando Regiment and a career in martial arts to develop the Army Combatives Program, during a Defence Connect Podcast with Liam Garman earlier this year.
“Since my medical discharge from the ADF back in 2013 after being diagnosed as suffering from chronic PTSD, I have worked consistently in managing the terrible symptoms of this disorder," Cale said in November.
“For over a decade now, whilst maintaining professional psychological support, I have worked my way off most of my psychiatric medication so as to avoid their negative side effects, whilst strengthening my mental resilience and capacity in managing the day-to-day symptoms of severe PTSD.
To have been asked by the ADF to return and assist as a contractor with my unique skill sets that I have developed over most of my life was initially very positive for me mentally. I cherish every opportunity to serve my country and I take the development of the next generation of Australian soldiers very seriously.
“To now be forced into this position and having to resort to publicly speaking out about the unethical behaviour of the ADF leadership towards me and other veterans is sickening, literally sickening as my mental health once again begins to suffer at the hands of indifferent decision makers.”
