The Returned and Services League Australia, Chaplaincy and Moral Injury: The connection between Recognition and Recovery.
| Thursday, May 21, 2026 |
| 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM |
Speaker
Chaplain Barrie Yesberg
National Chaplain
Returned And Services League Australia
The Returned and Services League Australia, Chaplaincy and Moral Injury: The connection between Recognition and Recovery.
Abstract Document
The purpose of this paper is to raise awareness of Moral Injury (MI) in the Post Service Veteran space - particularly with regard to RSL (Returned Services League of Australia) which is one of a number of Ex-Service Organisations within the Australian context. The RSL has 149,000+ members in 1056 Subbranches- not to mention their associated family members. As a former Navy and Police Chaplain now operating with the RSL since 2021, I have encountered many veterans who discuss their struggle with Morally Injurious Events and Experiences (MIEs), which occurred as part of their military service or family connections to military service. It is difficult to support the number of veterans in RSL impacted by MI until more RSL Australia Chaplains receive the appropriate training. Moral injury has been raised by the RSL at an organisational level and this conference will further facilitate and build the Chaplaincy network and enhance the Chaplaincy ability to support veterans and families into the future in the post service space, particularly those who are morally injured. This paper will therefore:
(i) note the role and work of the RSL organisation in contemporary society in caring for veterans and their families such as advocacy, wellbeing services, employment support, and housing assistance, social connection and community-based activities such as veteran sport and recreation programs, chaplaincy support and commemorative events.
(ii) highlight the recognition and potential impact of MI among RSL members and their families.
Previous Australian research found 65% of deployed Royal Australian Airforce personal may be suffering from MI. If this research is extrapolated out, then the percentage of affected veterans may be quite significant within RSL and other ESO’s.
(iii) and consider the supportive connection and strategic resources. RSL Australia has begun developing and supporting a National Chaplaincy Network. This new network already has 4 Chaplains trained in Pastoral Narrative Disclosure (PND) to support Morally Injured veterans and families through the Chaplaincy Network in RSL. Chaplains in the ADF have been trained in PND and if they become involved in RSL Chaplaincy it will help to form a trained body of available Chaplains for Post Service Veterans. RSL Chaplaincy enables the support of and any recovery from MI of RSL members and families through:
• Creating a safe space for personal expression and honesty
• Encouraging reflection on meaning, purpose and connection in life.
• Enabling connection with the moment, self, others, nature and the sacred.
• Supporting courage, resilience and faith in times of uncertainty and distress.
• Articulating faith and forgiveness as a part of MI healing.
(i) note the role and work of the RSL organisation in contemporary society in caring for veterans and their families such as advocacy, wellbeing services, employment support, and housing assistance, social connection and community-based activities such as veteran sport and recreation programs, chaplaincy support and commemorative events.
(ii) highlight the recognition and potential impact of MI among RSL members and their families.
Previous Australian research found 65% of deployed Royal Australian Airforce personal may be suffering from MI. If this research is extrapolated out, then the percentage of affected veterans may be quite significant within RSL and other ESO’s.
(iii) and consider the supportive connection and strategic resources. RSL Australia has begun developing and supporting a National Chaplaincy Network. This new network already has 4 Chaplains trained in Pastoral Narrative Disclosure (PND) to support Morally Injured veterans and families through the Chaplaincy Network in RSL. Chaplains in the ADF have been trained in PND and if they become involved in RSL Chaplaincy it will help to form a trained body of available Chaplains for Post Service Veterans. RSL Chaplaincy enables the support of and any recovery from MI of RSL members and families through:
• Creating a safe space for personal expression and honesty
• Encouraging reflection on meaning, purpose and connection in life.
• Enabling connection with the moment, self, others, nature and the sacred.
• Supporting courage, resilience and faith in times of uncertainty and distress.
• Articulating faith and forgiveness as a part of MI healing.
Biography
Chaplain Pastor Barrie Yesberg is a former Principal Chaplain Navy and now Returned Services League Australia National Chaplain. He served as a Churches of Christ Pastor in WA, and as an Army Reserve Chaplain, before joining the Royal Australian Navy Chaplaincy full time, where he became involved in moral injury research and interventions as the Command Chaplain with the Australian Defence Force Joint Health Command. After 23 years full time Navy he moved to the Reserve Navy reaching the rank of Principal Chaplain (Commodore). After retirement from full time-Navy he also became a part -time Chaplain in the Australian Federal Police. In 2021 he moved to the Returned and Services League WA to form a Chaplaincy Network involving volunteer Chaplains in RSLWA Subbranches. Chaplain Yesberg has chaired a Not-for-Profit Board of Directors and operates as a relief Chaplain for a mining company in WA. In June 2025 he was invited by Returned and Services League of Australia to form and develop the Returned and Services League of Australia National Chaplaincy Network. Chaplain Yesberg has many interests including travel, photography, woodworking and spending time with family. Chaplain Yesberg is married, with four married children, and 10 grandchildren.
