The Unconventional Soldier

CONTENTAt the end of November I went on a road trip with Kev to Northern Ireland. In many respects it was more of a battlefield tour than a road trip covering areas where we had been on operations. On this pod we discuss the transformation of Northern Ireland since we were there in the late 80s and early 90s with a focus on Belfast, Londonderry and South Armagh. We reflect on our past tours on Op BANNER during the Troubles and provide comparisons between the past and present while exploring key landmarks like the Europa Hotel. We also travel the roads in South Armagh, visit former military bases and discuss the region's struggles and journey towards peace. During our trip we saw how far Northern Ireland has come and reflect on the compromises and changes that have contributed to its current state.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is  Patrick Bury a former Royal Irish Regiment officer who joined the army in 2005 and spent five years in uniform, including a tour in Sangin, Helmand in 2008. We discuss the complexities of COIN warfare and the leadership and ethical challenges during this type of operation. We examine the phenomenon of 'warrior culture,' accountability in military leadership, the corrosive effect of combat on soldiers and the need, or otherwise, for moral soldiering by liberal democracies fighting an enemy who are not hindered by such ideals.  Paddy, is now an academic and a Senior Associate Professor in Security at University of Bath and a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellow specialising in CT and warfare. His areas of expertise include: counter-terrorism transformation and capacity building; military operations; British Army Reserve; military logistics; the Second World War; NATO; Irish military service. He regularly provides expertise on security matters to both global and national media.His book choice on Desert Island Dits is "A Rumor Of War" by Philip Caputo. My choice is "Ground Truth: The Moral Component In Contemporary British Warfare". We also discuss "Black Heart" by Jim Frederick and "On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society" by Dave Grossman.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is Chris Cocks who was on pod 72 when we discussed his service in the Rhodesian Light Infantry and his book "Fire Force - One Man's War In The Rhodesian Light Infantry". On this episode we discuss life after he finished his service and his sequel to Fire Force "Survival Course - Rhodesian Denouement And The War Of Self". The conversation focuses on Chris's transition from military to civilian life and his role as a farm manager while also serving as a reservist in the police anti-terrorist unit (PATU). He elaborates on the guerrilla warfare conducted by the enemy, his patrol duties, the challenges faced with limited and outdated equipmen and the moral complexities encountered in combat scenarios. The episode delves into Chris's post-war struggles with PTSD and substance abuse, his journey through rehabilitation, and his reflective thoughts on the war's lasting impact. Personal anecdotes, including ambushes, interactions with former guerrillas, and the societal divide in Rhodesia all providing a vivid account of Chris's experiences. The podcast also emphasizes the importance of mental health support for veterans.No Desert Island Dits this episode as Chris has been on before but my recommendation is Chris's book "Survival Course - Rhodesian Denouement And The War Of Self". WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is Loz Moore a former officer in the British Army. Loz was on podcast 62 when we discussed his operational tours with the infantry in Afghanistan, Iraq and NI. On this episode we discuss transitioning from military life to civilian careers and delve into the challenges of resettlement faced by veterans. We talk of our different experiences from my transition after 22 years of service and Loz’s abrupt transition due to medical retirement. The discussion emphasizes the importance of planning, self-awareness, and seeking help when needed. We also highlight the role of organizations in providing purpose and community post-service. The episode aims to offer valuable insights and practical advice for veterans navigating their own transition back to civilian life.No Desert Island dits this episode as Loz has been on before but we do discuss "Storm of Steel" by Ernst Junger, "Devil's Guard" by George Robert Elford and "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer" by Siegfried Sassoon.You can contact Loz by email: cockleshell22@gmail.com. Cockleshell 22 website is at: https://cockleshell22.com and Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Cockleshell22/WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is former soldier and author of "Fire Force - A Troopers War In The Rhodesian Light Infantry" Chris Cocks. Chris was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia in 1957. In 1976 he was conscripted for national service, and ended up serving 3 years in the Rhodesian Light Infantry or RLI. Then 18 months with PATU, the Police Anti-Terrorist Unit.The RLI was an elite commando regiment formed in 1961 and played a pivotal role throughout the conflict which took place from 1964 to 1979. Originally conceived as a conventional infantry unit, the RLI evolved into a specialized counter-insurgency force, renowned for their relentless pursuit of guerrilla fighters. The ranks of the Rhodesiam Army consisted of regular soldiers, national servicemen, reservists and foreign volunteers from all around the world but their tactics, techniques and procedures were limited to what the country could afford to obtain in the face of rigid international sanctions.This led to the development of highly mobile, aggressive fire force operations. This concept used helicopters and paratroopers to great effect and earned them a formidable reputation as they fought a large guerilla force and inflicted a heavy price on their enemy with an estimated ratio of 35 enemy casualties for each of their own. Despite these battlefield successes a small isolated country like Rhodesia could not sustain the cost in treasure and manpower of a high intensity COIN campaign and in 1979 British-brokered all-party talks lead to a peace agreement and new constitution guaranteeing minority rights. The following year Zanu leader Robert Mugabe won independence elections and the now Zimbabwe gained international recognition in April of that year. On this pod we’ll explore the stories behind their tactics, training, and the complex legacy they left behind as one of the world’s most efficient military units.Chris's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Chickenhawk" by Robert Mason. My choice is Chris's book "Fire Force" a no holds barred and brutal account of his service in 3 Commando and former soldiers will recognise the black humour in the face of adversity alongside the visceral account of close combat and death in the African bush.  Fire Force is available to purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fireforce-Mans-Rhodesian-Light-Infantry/dp/0958489092WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is Ben Skipper a freelance feature writer and author with books and articles published on art, military and field sports subjects. He is an Associate Member of Royal Aeronautical Society and the Pen and Sword Club for military journalists and writers. His interest in British armour was cemented by a visit to the King’s Royal Hussars in the early 1990s as an undergraduate in the Territorial Army. He joined the RAF in 1997, and served in conflict zones including Kosovo and Sierra Leone. He also played rugby for the RAF.A Former Force Protection NCO Ben, suffered increasingly with a range of balance, muscular and co-ordination issues to the extent doctors thought he might have onset dementia. It was during tests, that an MRI scan picked up bright spots of damage in Ben's brain and it was found that Ben had experienced a traumatic brain injury during his days in the RAF. Symptoms of his brain injury started to impact on his life and became progressively worse after leaving the Service in 2002.Ben is also a freelance consultant academic specialising in Veteran social culture. He has written various papers regarding the symptomatic presentation and effects of combat-related PTSD, not only upon the individual but also on the family and community. This input has been sought and included in Lord Ashcroft's "The Veterans' Transition Review" (2014) and "The Value of Participation in University Armed Services Unit's" by Newcastle University. Other projects include a visual campaign promoting positive Veteran representation and an exhibition of contemporary Veteran Art.He also finds time to be a County Member East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association who work to support the growth of the Reserves and Cadet Forces in Nottinghamshire.On this podcast we discuss his forces background and work with Fallout which is a new collaborative historical studies enterprise featuring the work of Dr Philip W. Blood, Dustin Du Cane all working on the fringe of contemporary thought. Links to Fallout can be found in the show notes.The main focus is on veterans however. We cover a variety of issues including public perception, politicisation, charities, armed forces covenant, do we need a vetterans minister and much more.  Ben's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Darling Buds Of May" by H E Bates. My choice is "Schimitar into Stanley - One Soldier's Falklands War " by Roger Field.Ben's webpage "I...am a Veteran" can be found at https://www.iamaveteran.co.uk/WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is Andrew Long  a Cold War historian and author whose book “The story of BRIXMIS and the secret Cold War:  Intelligence gathering operations behind East Germany” was released on 30 July 2024.The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was a focal point during the Cold War, with Soviet and East German forces stationed along the 1,400 km Inner German Border. Due to the repressive police state, the West had limited intelligence on these forces. NATO, stationed in West Germany, needed up-to-date intelligence on potential threats from the East.BRIXMIS (British Commanders’-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany) played a key role in gathering this intelligence. Established through a 1946 agreement, BRIXMIS allowed British military observers to operate in East Germany, gathering intelligence from 1946 until 1990. Their missions involved using modified vehicles and photography equipment to document Soviet and East German military activities, despite constant risks from secret police and counterintelligence. Alongside their French and American counterparts, BRIXMIS provided vital intelligence that helped maintain peace during the Cold War.Andrew's book choice is the Carla trilogy consisting of: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy", "The Honourable Schoolboy" and "Smiley's People" by John Le Carre. The teams choices are "Beyond the Wall: East Germany, 1949-1990" by Katja Hoyer and "Falklands Gunner: A Day-by-Day Personal Account of the Royal Artillery in the Falklands War" by Tom Martin.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is Andy McNab CBE DCM MM former special forces soldier, author and business man. On this episode we discuss his chaotic childhood, army service, functioning psychopaths, book writing, shooting Hollywood films and his latest project with WeServed a service for Veterans by Veterans - for more information visit www.we-served.com.Andy's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens.WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

CONTENTThe guest today is Dr Helen Fry. Helen has authored and edited over 25 books covering the social history of the Second World War, including British Intelligence and the secret war, espionage and spies, and MI9 escape and evasion. She is the foremost authority on the 'secret listeners' who worked at special eavesdropping sites operated by British Intelligence during WWII. Her groundbreaking research and extensive media coverage have shed light on one of the greatest intelligence deceptions of the war: the bugging of Hitler’s generals at Trent Park in North London, and thousands of prisoners of war at Latimer House and Wilton Park in Buckinghamshire.On this podcast we discuss her book "MI9 - A History of the Secret Service for Escpe and Evasion in World War Two". When Allied fighters were trapped behind enemy lines, one branch of military intelligence helped them escape: MI9. The organisation set up clandestine routes that zig-zagged across Nazi-occupied Europe, enabling soldiers and airmen to make their way home. Secret agents and resistance fighters risked their lives and those of their families to hide the men. Drawing on declassified files and eye-witness testimonies from across Europe and the United States, Helen Fry provides a significant reassessment of MI9's wartime role.​​Thanks to her expertise, Helen has appeared in a number of documentaries, including David Jason’s Secret Service (Channel 5), Spying on Hitler's Army (Channel 4), and Secrets of the Spies (Britbox). She has provided advisory services for TV and drama, something that she particularly enjoys. Helen has covered the major D-Day commemorations in live BBC broadcasts from Normandy, and she regularly appears in media interviews and podcasts.​WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICESMost of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.  "BUY ME A COFFEE"If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.SOCIAL MEDIAInstagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.