Retired SAS commander's mission bringing veterans together

An SAS veteran of 11 tours of duty is urging Australian servicemen and women to "get out and engage" with their friends and family this Anzac Day.

"You don't have to suffer in silence," former SAS Team Commander, Harry Moffitt said at a rehearsal for his rock-band, The Externals.

Founded in 1991, The Externals are the only special-forces-hard-rock-act in the world. 

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"I had just entered service (when the band started)," Mr Moffitt told A Current Affair.

"And it was pretty tough."

Mr Moffitt found that making music allowed him relief from the pressures of his job.

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"It was a great way to unwind, and a great way to bring blokes and women together, to relax and unwind and have a few beers," he said.

At last count, 16 special forces soldiers had played under The Externals banner.

Now retired from the SAS, Mr Moffitt spends a lot of time working with ADF veterans transitioning into civilian life.

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"There's so much more of the world after service. My message to veterans is just get out and get into it," Mr Moffitt said.

The key lesson, according to Mr Moffitt, is to find what he calls: "a third thing".

"Your first thing is your family and friends. Your second thing is your work. Sometimes those two things are going to be conflated and in contest. But your third thing is something that you can be away from both of those," Mr Moffitt said.

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For Mr Moffitt, his third thing has been turning up the volume and jamming with his mates.

"It's fun, it's and it keeps you alive. With the band on stage, you don't want to let your mates down," he said.

Over the years, The Externals have performed gigs around Australia. In 1997, the group rocked-out at the Perth leg of the famous Big Day Out event.

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But this weekend The Externals are planning a very special gig indeed.

"On the Anzac weekend (the night of April 23^rd) we're playing a gig in the Victorian town of Geelong," Mr Moffitt said with a welcoming smile.

"There's a big veteran community down there and we hope to drag those men and women out and come together and celebrate Anzac Day with some rock and roll.

"You know, what better way to do that?"

THE EXTERNALS are playing tonight at Murphy's Pub in Geelong.

Doors Open from 8PM.