Breaking Barriers And Building Brotherhood With NAFT - Never Alone, Fight Together

By Hannah McNamara

In the shadow of loss and the light of brotherhood, Managing Director Sam O’Neill has built a supportive network for veterans through a not-for-profit organisation, Never Alone Fight Together (NAFT). Drawing from his own experiences with life after service, Sam is on a mission to create a unique space for veterans…one that embodies the essence of brotherhood while breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and financial struggles.

An eight-year Australian Army veteran, Sam shares that NAFT was born from both the camaraderie forged on the battlefield and the heartbreak of losing those bonds too soon.

"Ever since leaving the Army, it’s been a slow journey of building this up,” Sam said.

“Along the way, I’ve seen too many friends pass - through their own hand or circumstances that could have been avoided."

Sam O’Neill, Managing Director of NAFT – Never Alone Fight Together, is forging connections and breaking barriers, striving to rewrite the story for veterans. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

Turning Loss Into Legacy
A Veteran’s Fight For Change

Sam’s military career included deployments to East Timor with 1RAR and Afghanistan with 5RAR, where he served as a section commander. These experiences not only shaped his life but also deepened his understanding of the immense struggles veterans face after service.

The detrimental loss of a close mate on January 24, 2023 soon became the spark that ignited his mission.

"Last year, a good friend of mine passed, and it was his death that sparked this," Sam said.

“After months of grieving, I realised I had to do something…not just for him but for everyone like him."

Through his grief, Sam envisioned a future where no veteran faces their battles alone, and within his darkest moments, he found the courage to turn that vision into reality.

Sam channelled his sorrow into creating NAFT, a charity dedicated to providing emergency financial assistance to veterans and their families for necessities such as groceries, fuel and medical bills. Yet, the journey to establishing NAFT was far from easy.

Sam invested his personal savings into legal fees, navigated bureaucratic challenges, and faced the emotional toll of revisiting the loss that inspired the organisation.

"The day we were officially registered was the same day I was grieving the one-year anniversary of his passing,” he said.

“It felt like a message, a sign that this is what I’m meant to do.

"I’m not doing this for myself…this is about veterans, about community, and about preventing unnecessary deaths.

“It’s about ensuring no one has to walk this journey alone," he added.

“We’ve received incredible support from the community, and many are keen to purchase our merch."

To further NAFT’s reach, Sam also hosts a podcast that delves into ‘what it means to serve’ and the ‘similarities between that of a professional soldier and a professional athlete.’

"The podcast amplifies voices - not just mine, but those of everyday Australians who have faced challenges," Sam said.

“It’s about creating connections and showcasing the resilience and shared values of veterans and athletes."

If you’d like to donate or sponsor veterans facing hardship, visit: www.naftlimited.org.au/donate/.

Give to those who gave their all for us.

Sam O’Neill’s military service includes deployments to East Timor with 1RAR and Afghanistan with 5RAR, where he served as a section commander. Photo source: NAFT

“It’s about ensuring no one has to walk this journey alone."

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