The Returned Services League (RSL) is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, amid growing criticism the iconic organisation is outdated and not relevant to modern soldiers.

Key points: Young veterans say Soldier On, Mates4Mates more suited for their needs

Young veterans say Soldier On, Mates4Mates more suited for their needs RSL should revise its approach, PTSD support group says

RSL should revise its approach, PTSD support group says NSW RSL to roll out range of new programs

Former soldier Brent New left the army in 2003, after peacekeeping work in East Timor and turning back refugee boats to Indonesia.

More than a decade later, he found himself still struggling to adjust to life back home. Mr New was self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, which was contributing to his relationship breakdowns.

Last year he was hospitalised for two months and treated for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"It got to a point where the alcohol and everything I was doing to mask how I was doing just wasn't coping, and that's when I had a breakdown," he said.

He did not know where to turn.

"I've never really been inclined to go to the RSL for help," he said.

"There seems to be a real disconnect between the RSL as an entity and the way veterans are, and what veterans' needs are."

Recently, Mr New attended the annual general meeting of his RSL and realised that as a 37-year-old, he was the youngest veteran in the room by at least 20 years.

Solider On, Mates4Mates filling void

Mr New was contacted by Mates4Mates — an organisation that targets young veterans.

Mates4Mates Chief Executive Simon Sauer said the organisation provided a range of services, including psychological services, physical training, employment support and educational guidance.

"We had a case when someone finally had the courage to come to us, and parked outside, but took two hours to come in to us," he said.

Former soldier Brent New left the army in 2003. ( ABC News )

"For the first few weeks they attended the centre and they would sit and have a coffee and not say much.

"After three months they were actively engaging and laughing, and you could see a distinct change in who they are as individuals."

Mr New credited his recovery to the phone call he received from Mates4Mates.

"There have been quite a few things that have been instrumental in getting me to where I'm at, and Mates4Mates was a huge part of that," he said.

RSL Queensland admitted its sub-branches were struggling to appeal to the modern veteran. The state branch also helps fund Mates4Mates, as well as the research into medical and housing needs of veterans.

RSL Queensland President Stewart Cameron said: "I simply asked this young man what would be required for him to join the RSL, and essentially he said, 'Take away the bar and take away the pokies machines and build me a gym and I'm there'."

But he also pointed out that historically the RSL membership has always come from older veterans, as young veterans were busy with careers and young children.

Booze and pokies image problem

Former soldier John Keeley felt a loss of direction after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and sought camaraderie on the football field. He said he had never considered signing up to an RSL.

"I believe that the RSL is more focused on pokies and alcohol ... this is a common belief among my friends that have come back from Iraq and Afghanistan," he said.

Soldier On only has a handful of offices. ( Supplied: Soldier On )

While some RSL sub-branches are providing valuable services, programs are often ad hoc and differ from state to state. Many RSL clubs have no affiliation to a sub-branches, and this means many local clubs do not contribute to programs that support soldiers and their families.

John Bale from PTSD support group Soldier On said the RSL should leverage its national resources and revise its approach to adapt to the changing needs of young soldiers.

"The RSL has an incredible name and an incredible legacy, and it has an incredible opportunity to take a new phase for contemporary veterans and make sure that this generation gets the support they need, " he said.

Unlike RSLs, which have more than 1,500 sub-branches nationwide, organisations like Mates4Mates and Soldier On only have a handful of offices.

"Every day I look at club and sub branch financial statements, just randomly selected and I examine who is spending what on welfare services and if they aren't spending enough I ask why not," Mr Cameron said.

The recently appointed Chief Executive of NSW RSL, Glenn Kolomeitz, said this year he was rolling out a range of new programs targeting the latest wave of returned soldiers.

This includes establishing drop-in service centres, and running mentor programs to drive young members into leadership roles.

"We need to adapt our ways and my priority is it to return the league to its core mission," Mr Kolomeitz said.

"We are not in the business of alcohol and poker machines, and we'll be doing a better job of marketing all the services we provide including RSL Care, which in NSW has responded to 11,000 calls for help over three years."