What started as a sudden halt to Captain Joshua Coleman's career became an opportunity to support others facing their own challenges.
For his leadership and dedication to put others first, Captain Coleman received the 2026 Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award.
During flight training at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria, he was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, which forced his removal from his pilot's course. The same weekend, his first child was born.
"I called my wife and said 'I'm going to come home for the weekend to be with family and friends', and naturally at 3am her waters broke, so we were in the hospital Saturday morning," Captain Coleman said.
"I'd come home to process the bad news and immediately received the best news a father could get. That was great, but it was definitely a lot going on."
Posted to Headquarters Aviation Command in 2022 as a newly commissioned lieutenant, he managed his medical condition while taking on significant extra duties, supporting the establishment of a newly formed functional command headquarters.
He volunteered as a welfare officer, a role that aligned with his own experience.
Over three years, he managed 32 soldier welfare boards, including 12 complex cases.
Captain Coleman built relationships within the medical system and had greater access to staff, which allowed him to better advocate for and inform his soldiers. At all times, his compassion for the individual going through challenging situations was exceptional.
'Finding purpose in what I'm doing has really kept me moving forward.'
Seeing his cohort continue flying was tough, but Captain Coleman maintained a positive attitude and sought purpose in everything he did.
"Finding purpose in what I'm doing has really kept me moving forward. I was throwing myself into what I was doing and seeking to contribute where the unit needed me," he said.
"Spending time as a rifleman heavily influenced my willingness to be first to put my hand up, first through the door, regardless of whatever might be on the other side, and deal with it."
That instinct came to the fore again in 2025.
While driving home in Canberra with his pregnant wife, they noticed a motorcyclist who had crashed and had severe injuries on a main road.
They pulled over, removing the motorcyclist from the road.
Together, Captain Coleman and his wife provided first aid with other motorists who had pulled over, directed traffic around the blind corner to ensure a safe scene, and coordinated with emergency services until they could take control of the incident.
Captain Coleman grew up in Port Stephens, where his father served as a fighter pilot at RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW.
He applied for the RAAF after high school, but after studying in Wagga Wagga, he joined the Army as a rifleman.
His first posting to 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, showed he was ready for more responsibility, as many soldiers, including himself, acted in higher duties. After four years in the infantry, he commissioned and corps-transferred to train as a helicopter pilot.
Captain Coleman voluntarily completed the inaugural Aviation Operations Officer Regimental Officers Basic Course in 2025 to further his professional development and create options for continued service if it was determined he would be medically unable to become a pilot. He aims to return to pilot training later this year.
Knowing the significance of the Jonathan Church award, Captain Coleman said he had big shoes to fill.
"At the time it felt like I was just doing the job that needed to be done in support of everyone else. In the end, it was recognised as above and beyond what was normally expected," he said.
