The 24-year-old job agency interviewer said he had a good CV but suggested getting rid of his 12-year military history.

The veteran wrote a letter about it to the Minister for Veterans Affairs Dan Tehan.

"He went out to his car and cried for half an hour," Mr Tehan told the launch of the Australian Veterans Employment Coalition.

"The 12 years had given so much pride and so many skills, yet a 24-year-old girl just told him to wipe it.

"That is why it is so important that we do provide transition from the armed services into employment."

Australia has never been crash hot at keeping track of the men and women who leave the ADF.

About 5500 - 1500 of then in NSW - return to what used to be called Civvy Street each year.

Up to half are believed to get jobs or go to university in search of qualifications.

But nobody knows the fate of the rest, how they seek work or how successful other industries are in retaining their services.

Twelve months ago the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and the Department of Defence launched a program to get veterans into skilled jobs. Now a group of Australia's most high-profile corporations have come on board to lend some private sector heft to the transition from military to civilian life.

On Thursday, the Australian Veterans Employment Coalition was launched at the Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Watson, South Head.

The coalition aims to establish a close working relationship with the ADF and support programs to help veterans moving from military careers to the civilian workforce.

Members of the coalition include Westpac, Australia Post, JPMorgan, Qantas, Boral, AGL, Wesfarmers, Fairfax Media, Snowy Hydro and Incitec Pivot.

Mr Tehan was joined by the NSW Minister for Veterans Affairs, David Elliott, Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Angus J Campbell, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, Chief Of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, and the US Consulate, Valarie Fowler and corporate representatives.

The chairman of JPMorgan, Rob Priestley, said the global experience showed veterans had leadership and teamwork skills, flexibility and ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment without undue stress.

"They have a dependability, integrity, loyalty and experience that makes them especially suited for working in a culturally diverse or global environment," he said.

"Corporations involved in the coalition have been able to enjoy exceptional dialogue with the most senior levels of the ADF and that has allowed our organisations to expand existing programs or establish new veteran hiring programs."

Mr Elliott said the NSW Veterans Employment Program had exceeded had place more than 200 veterans in public sector jobs and an education programme was helping managers appreciate the skills veterans brought to the workplace.

"Stable, meaningful employment is an effect way to ensure that veterans have the opportunity to make an ongoing contribution to our community," Mr Elliott said.

Victorian Kelly Walter spent 13 years as a RAN maritime logistics officer, including postings in the Sudan and the Middle East, but the looming arrival of her second child prompted her to change jobs.

Two years later, she is running a small business, Daily Orders, producing planning boards, something she hit on while trying to keep track of her family schedule.

"When I left the Navy I remember feeling 'what do I do next' for a while," Ms Walter, 35, said.

"Not all of us need help, but many do. Our training has provided a huge array of skills that can be of great benefit to everybody, industry, communities, and its good to see a growing realisation that we are a great resource."