The Unconventional Soldier

CONTENTMy guest today is former infantry officer Richard Westley OBE MC who recounts his extensive career in the British Army, starting with his motivation to join the Royal Welsh Fusiliers after Sandhurst in 1984.  Richard commanded soldiers on operations at every rank from Second Lieutenant to Colonel in environments as disparate as northern Ireland, Albania, Afghanistan, Cote d’Ivoire and the Balkans.  He discusses his formative experiences in Northern Ireland, emphasizing the difficulties faced by young officers and the critical need to earn the respect of seasoned Welsh infantry soldiers.   In 1995 surrounded by the advancing Bosnian Serb Army in the exposed enclave of Gorazde his company fought to prevent the fall of the Town and saved its people from the fate of neighbouring Srebrenica. For his part in this he was awarded the Military Cross.In 2007 he deployed with his battle group to Helmand province in Afghanistan where they occupied Gereshk, driving back the Taliban and securing the erstwhile financial capital of the Province.  Setting the conditions for the development of the town. He was appointed an OBE for this tour. Richard retired from the Army in 2010 having been responsible for all pre-deployment training for UK forces bound for Iraq and Afghanistan for the previous 3 years.Richard's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Catcher In The Rye" by JD Salinger. My choice is Ben Barry's book "The Rise And Fall Of The British Army 1975 - 2025".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 Jonny Ball who served in the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and the Intelligence Corps deploying on operations in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan before being medically discharged in 2024. An expert at election law, campaigns and community engagement. He worked for a decade in politics and ran elections for some of the best known names in UK politics. He also hosts the Veterans In Politics podcast. Jonny is a co-founder of the service charity UK Afghanistan Veterans Community and is heavily involved in veterans affairs including being the MD of Mission Community a brand of Mission Motorsport- The Forces Motorsport Charity. Injured in a motorcycle accident in 2019 he has participated in the Invictus Games and has since become involved in the Invictus Birmingham 2027 Focus Group. All of which we discuss on the pod.Jonny's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Escape From Kabul: The Inside Story" by Levison Wood and Geraint Jones.Links:Afghanistan Veterans Community - https://www.ukafghanveteranscommunity.org/Mission Community - https://www.missioncommunity.org/Veterans In Politics Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3bjq2Pk96oZxEB0LRA8CUlWHERE 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 James Lee. James was my guest on podcast 38 where we discussed his first book about his tour in Afghanistan called "Licking The Taliban’s Flip Flop" and also on pod 84 where we discussed his second volume "Sleeping in The ditch With Slobodan Milosevic" about his tour in Bosnia and Croatia in the 90s. on this episode we discuss his new book "Achtung Pig!" the final installment of his military memoir "The Hurry Up And Wait Trilogy". The discussion centers on James’s experiences as a young soldier posted to the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in Germany following the collapse of the Soviet Union. We touch on the profound drinking culture and the nostalgia surrounding iconic BAOR equipment and personalities like Wolfgang and his bratty wagon. James contrasts the life in Germany with his challenging first tour tour during in Northern Ireland (OP Banner). Get in touch with James at:Author Websitehttps://www.jamesleeauthor.co.uk/Book Storehttps://james-lee.sumupstore.com/Flying Websitehttps://www.buddysaviation.club/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.

CONTENTThis weeks guest is Mick Cook a former helicopter crewman in the Royal Navy, The conversation begins with Mick's enlistment in 1971 as a junior naval air mechanic and details the culture shock and rigorous nature of his initial basic training. Mick talks about working on aircraft carriers and other deployments before we discuss his flying operations and  experiences during the Falklands War. He describes anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, the demanding flight conditions in the South Atlantic, and the emotional impact of combat and casualties. Mick's narrative also highlights the flexibility and vital role of helicopter crews during the conflict, transitioning from ASW to vital troop and cargo transportation.Mick's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Hunt for Red October" by Tom Clancy.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 guests today are Neale Smiles a former soldier now working in the defence industry and Wilf Owen also a former soldier and author of the book "Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today." The conversation focuses on modern military doctrine, training, and equipment for Western armies, particularly challenging traditional assumptions about land warfare. Key topics include the necessity of rigorous training to build soldier resilience and the evolving role of the infantryman as a "sensor" on the modern battlespace. We explore other issues such as the affordability and future utility of main battle tanks, deficiencies in current close combat fire support, and the crucial, yet often overlooked, logistical challenges posed by field hospital deployment.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 British Army officer Rob McAllister who discusses his military career with a focus on his challenging early life with dyslexia and his eventual decision to join the Royal Logistic Corps, after a period of academic and professional frustration. The conversation centres on his deployment to Afghanistan as a young second lieutenant commanding Combat Logistic Patrols, a role for which he received minimal preparation and was often responsible for large convoys of many vehicles and up to 120 soldiers resupplying British operating bases. Rob recounts the evolution of threats from direct contacts to IEDs , the inadequacies of early equipment and vehicles, and the immense responsibility placed on young officers and NCOs. He concludes with reflections on leadership, risk management, and the crucial importance of cultural awareness gained from his experiences.Rob's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Changing of the Guard: the British Army since 9/11" by Simon Akam. The team's choices are "Defeat Into Victory" by Field Marshal Viscount Slim and "War" by Sebastian Junger.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 Barry Nisbet who joined the Canadian Forces in 1997. He completed RCR battle school graduating at the top of his class and was posted to the 1 Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa. In 2003 he completed U.S. Army Ranger School. He deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and Bosnia in 2003 as a rifleman. His first tour to Afghanistan was to Kabul in 2005. In 2006 he deployed to Kandahar as a sniper, call sign 63C, taking part in Operation Medusa. He received the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation for professionalism and leadership while rendering first aid to a severely injured soldier, 1 RCR Battle Group, Joint Task Force Afghanistan, 11 January 2007. Barry taught on multiple basic sniper courses in Petawawa training soldiers from the 1st and 3rd RCR Battalions and Canadian Special Operations Regiment. He returned to Afghanistan in 2010 as a Sniper Detachment Commander, call sign 66A, this was his 5th and final deployment before retiring as a Sergeant in 2012.We discuss his path to becoming a sniper including the demanding sniper selection and training course and his experience as the first Canadian corporal to pass US Army Ranger School. Barry talks about the evolving tactics and operational realities of sniper teams in Afghanistan and reflects on the personal impact of combat. We finish off discussing the book he wrote with two other snipers Gordon Cullen and Mir Bahmanyar "Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan."Barry's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The SAS Survival Handbook" by John "Lofty" Wiseman. My choice is Barry's Book "Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan."Barry's website is at: Author, Sniper, Veteran - Co-Author of Send itInstagram: Author Sniper Veteran (@senditbook) • Instagram photos and videosPhotos courtesy of Barry Nisbet.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.

CONTENTIn today’s episode, I’m joined by Andy, a former officer of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Who deployed to Kosovo with the RUC as part of the UN international peacekeeping mission. His unique perspective offers a window into what it was like to move from a domestic conflict in the UK to an international operation in the Balkans, and the challenges of maintaining law, order, and stability in the aftermath of war. If you are interested in more episodes about the RUC Andy appeared on podcast 44 when he discussed his time in the force and service in the RUC specialist surveillance unit E4A.By the late 1990s, the Balkans had descended into some of the worst violence Europe had witnessed since 1945. Years of ethnic and political tension culminated in the Kosovo conflict, which broke out in February 1998 and continued until June 1999. The fighting pitted the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—then in control of Kosovo—against the Kosovo Liberation Army, an ethnic Albanian separatist force. The war was characterised by atrocities including ethnic cleansing, large-scale killings, and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands. Scenes of burning villages and endless refugee columns dominated international news, prompting NATO intervention and ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Yugoslav troops.However, the end of open hostilities marked the start of a new and complex phase. A vast international peacekeeping and reconstruction effort followed, with NATO’s KFOR, the United Nations, and numerous aid agencies attempting to restore order and stability. Those deployed—soldiers, police, and civilian workers alike—faced shattered infrastructure, volatile armed groups, traumatised populations, and the constant fear that violence could flare again at any moment.Andy's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "A Time to Stand; The Epic of The Alamo" by Walter Lord. My choice is "How Can Man Die Better - The Secrets of Isandlwana Revealed" by Mike Snook.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.

CONTENTMy guest is former Army Reserve infantry soldier Matt Okuhara, whose story highlights the often-overlooked role of Britain’s reservists in war. After joining the TA while working in banking, Matt was mobilised for Operation TELIC 4 and deployed to Basra, Iraq. He shares the realities of pre-deployment training, patrolling under constant threat of IEDs and militia attacks, and the contact that changed everything.We also discuss the challenges of returning to civilian life, the loss of comrades, and how he channelled his experiences into writing Basra and Back: The Memoir of an Infantryman in the Iraq War.On Desert Island Dits, Matt chooses A Thousand Shall Fall by Murray Peden, while I select his own book, Basra and Back.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.Warrior photo credit - Reuters/Pool/Mark RichardsBook photo credit - Author.