CONTENT The guest today is Stuart Lyle, the Urban Operations Lead at the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, or Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence.For more than 12 years, Stuart has studied how modern armies fight in cities, leading work on everything from urban explosive ordnance disposal and wargaming to adversary doctrine and lessons from recent conflicts. His particular focus is on how data and emerging technology can help us better understand, and fight, the increasingly complex urban battle.Stuart is also the designer behind the British Army’s Urban Phalanx platoon and Block Buster brigade concepts, ideas that are helping shape the Army’s thinking about the future of warfare. He also teaches urban operations across the UK Armed Forces and to international partners, including at the Defence Academy. I am also joined by regular contributor Neale Smiles a former soldier working in the defence industry. On this pod we discuss why modern militaries must engage in urban warfare. He identifies critical drivers for urban combat, including political significance, topographical necessity, and the natural survivability buildings offer to defenders. The discussion highlights how emerging technologies, such as thermobaric weapons and uncrewed systems, are fundamentally altering tactical approaches to high-intensity street fighting. Stuart also critiques current training limitations, arguing that simulation and garrison-based exercises are essential to prepare soldiers for the cognitive load of a digitised battlefield. Ultimately, he emphasises that as global populations shift toward mega-cities and slums, the ability to operate in complex built environments remains a universal military requirement.  Stuart's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Concrete Hell - Urban Warfare From Stalingrad To Iraq" by Lous A DiMarco. Neales choice is"African Days Hollywood Nights" by Michael Peirce. WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/UCS473" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bookshop</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unconsoldierpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via<a href="https://linktr.ee/unconventionalsoldier" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Link Tree</a>.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ISARR</a> a veteran owned company.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

CONTENT The guest today is Stuart Lyle, the Urban Operations Lead at the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, or Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence. For more than 12 years, Stuart has studied how modern armies fight in cities, leading work on everything from urban explosive ordnance disposal and wargaming to adversary doctrine and lessons from recent conflicts. His particular focus is on how data and emerging technology can help us better understand, and fight, the increasingly complex urban battle. Stuart is also the designer behind the British Army’s Urban Phalanx platoon and Block Buster brigade concepts, ideas that are helping shape the Army’s thinking about the future of warfare. He also teaches urban operations across the UK Armed Forces and to international partners, including at the Defence Academy. I am also joined by regular contributor Neale Smiles a former soldier working in the defence industry. On this pod we discuss why modern militaries must engage in urban warfare. He identifies critical drivers for urban combat, including political significance, topographical necessity, and the natural survivability buildings offer to defenders. The discussion highlights how emerging technologies, such as thermobaric weapons and uncrewed systems, are fundamentally altering tactical approaches to high-intensity street fighting. Stuart also critiques current training limitations, arguing that simulation and garrison-based exercises are essential to prepare soldiers for the cognitive load of a digitised battlefield. Ultimately, he emphasises that as global populations shift toward mega-cities and slums, the ability to operate in complex built environments remains a universal military requirement. Stuart's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Concrete Hell - Urban Warfare From Stalingrad To Iraq" by Lous A DiMarco. Neales choice is"African Days Hollywood Nights" by Michael Peirce. WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most 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 MEDIA Instagram @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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT The guest today is&nbsp;Stuart Lyle, the Urban Operations Lead at the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, or Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence.For more than 12 years, Stuart has studied how modern armies fight in cities, leading work on everything from urban explosive ordnance disposal and wargaming to adversary doctrine and lessons from recent conflicts. His particular focus is on how data and emerging technology can help us better understand, and fight, the increasingly complex urban battle.Stuart is also the designer behind the British Army’s Urban Phalanx platoon and Block Buster brigade concepts, ideas that are helping shape the Army’s thinking about the future of warfare. He also teaches urban operations across the UK Armed Forces and to international partners, including at the Defence Academy. I am also joined by regular contributor Neale Smiles a former soldier working in the defence industry. On this pod we discuss why modern militaries must engage in urban warfare. He identifies critical drivers for urban combat, including political significance, topographical necessity, and the natural survivability buildings offer to defenders. The discussion highlights how emerging technologies, such as thermobaric weapons and uncrewed systems, are fundamentally altering tactical approaches to high-intensity street fighting. Stuart also critiques current training limitations, arguing that simulation and garrison-based exercises are essential to prepare soldiers for the cognitive load of a digitised battlefield. Ultimately, he emphasises that as global populations shift toward mega-cities and slums, the ability to operate in complex built environments remains a universal military requirement.&nbsp; Stuart's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Concrete Hell - Urban Warfare From Stalingrad To Iraq" by Lous A DiMarco. Neales choice is"African Days Hollywood Nights" by Michael Peirce. WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/UCS473" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bookshop</a>.&nbsp;10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.&nbsp;&nbsp; "BUY ME A COFFEE" If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unconsoldierpod" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a> SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82.&nbsp;Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via<a href="https://linktr.ee/unconventionalsoldier" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Link Tree</a>.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.&nbsp;This episode brought to you in association with<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> ISARR</a> a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Why Militaries Can't "Bypass and Avoid" Urban Warfare

CONTENT The guest today is Dorian Minors, a brain and behaviour scientist whose work explores how we make intelligent decisions, particularly under pressure, and what that means for leadership, teams and organisations. He has spent more than a decade as a researcher, educator and clinician, including work at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the University of Cambridge and Judge Business School.Dorian also brings considerable practical military experience to the subject. Dorian served for six years in the Australian Defence Force, culminating as an infantry platoon commander, leading soldiers both in training and in the field. On this pod we discuss the moral and human dimensions of modern warfare: how we prepare soldiers to make difficult decisions, the tension between restraint and lethality, the power, and dangers of comradeship, and what happens to human responsibility as artificial intelligence increasingly enters the battlefield. Dorian's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Enders Game" by Orson Scott Card. WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/UCS473" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bookshop</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unconsoldierpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via<a href="https://linktr.ee/unconventionalsoldier" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Link Tree</a>.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ISARR</a> a veteran owned company.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

CONTENT The guest today is Dorian Minors, a brain and behaviour scientist whose work explores how we make intelligent decisions, particularly under pressure, and what that means for leadership, teams and organisations. He has spent more than a decade as a researcher, educator and clinician, including work at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the University of Cambridge and Judge Business School. Dorian also brings considerable practical military experience to the subject. Dorian served for six years in the Australian Defence Force, culminating as an infantry platoon commander, leading soldiers both in training and in the field. On this pod we discuss the moral and human dimensions of modern warfare: how we prepare soldiers to make difficult decisions, the tension between restraint and lethality, the power, and dangers of comradeship, and what happens to human responsibility as artificial intelligence increasingly enters the battlefield. Dorian's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Enders Game" by Orson Scott Card. WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most 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 MEDIA Instagram @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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT The guest today is Dorian Minors, a brain and behaviour scientist whose work explores how we make intelligent decisions, particularly under pressure, and what that means for leadership, teams and organisations. He has spent more than a decade as a researcher, educator and clinician, including work at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the University of Cambridge and Judge Business School.Dorian also brings considerable practical military experience to the subject. Dorian served for six years in the Australian Defence Force, culminating as an infantry platoon commander, leading soldiers both in training and in the field. On this pod we discuss the moral and human dimensions of modern warfare: how we prepare soldiers to make difficult decisions, the tension between restraint and lethality, the power, and dangers of comradeship, and what happens to human responsibility as artificial intelligence increasingly enters the battlefield. Dorian's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Enders Game" by Orson Scott Card. WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/UCS473" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bookshop</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unconsoldierpod" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a> SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via<a href="https://linktr.ee/unconventionalsoldier" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Link Tree</a>.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> ISARR</a> a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Can You Fight An Ethical War?

CONTENT The guest today is Geraint Jones best selling author, screen writer, podcast host and ghost writer. He is also former British infantryman who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The discussion focuses on his book, Voices of Victory, which compiles eyewitness accounts of British soldiers fighting through Germany during the final months of World War II. Gez emphasizes the importance of oral history and preserving the raw, personal experiences of frontline troops to prevent them from becoming mere data points in strategic records. He highlights the extreme psychological and physical toll of the campaign, noting how replacements often faced intense combat with minimal training. The conversation also explores the lasting impact of combat on veterans, drawing parallels between the trauma experienced by soldiers in WW2 and today's soldiers. The human cost of victory and the necessity of remembering individual stories to understand the true nature of war also features. Gez's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Shogun" by James Clavell. My choice is Gez's Book "Voices of Victory - Powerful eye witness accounts of the battle to take Germany, Feb 1945 to VE Day ". Gez's podcast Veteran State of Mind is here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veteran-state-of-mind-network/id1450720132His web site is here - https://www.geraintjonesmedia.com/ WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/UCS473" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bookshop</a>. 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 <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unconsoldierpod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a> SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via<a href="https://linktr.ee/unconventionalsoldier" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Link Tree</a>.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com. This episode brought to you in association with<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> ISARR</a> a veteran owned company.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

CONTENT The guest today is Geraint Jones best selling author, screen writer, podcast host and ghost writer. He is also former British infantryman who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The discussion focuses on his book, Voices of Victory, which compiles eyewitness accounts of British soldiers fighting through Germany during the final months of World War II. Gez emphasizes the importance of oral history and preserving the raw, personal experiences of frontline troops to prevent them from becoming mere data points in strategic records. He highlights the extreme psychological and physical toll of the campaign, noting how replacements often faced intense combat with minimal training. The conversation also explores the lasting impact of combat on veterans, drawing parallels between the trauma experienced by soldiers in WW2 and today's soldiers. The human cost of victory and the necessity of remembering individual stories to understand the true nature of war also features. Gez's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Shogun" by James Clavell. My choice is Gez's Book "Voices of Victory - Powerful eye witness accounts of the battle to take Germany, Feb 1945 to VE Day ". Gez's podcast Veteran State of Mind is here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veteran-state-of-mind-network/id1450720132 His web site is here - https://www.geraintjonesmedia.com/ WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most 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 MEDIA Instagram @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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT The guest today is&nbsp;Geraint Jones best selling author, screen writer, podcast host and ghost writer. He is also former British infantryman who served in Afghanistan and Iraq. The discussion focuses on his book, Voices of Victory, which compiles eyewitness accounts of British soldiers fighting through Germany during the final months of World War II. Gez emphasizes the importance of oral history and preserving the raw, personal experiences of frontline troops to prevent them from becoming mere data points in strategic records. He highlights the extreme psychological and physical toll of the campaign, noting how replacements often faced intense combat with minimal training. The conversation also explores the lasting impact of combat on veterans, drawing parallels between the trauma experienced by soldiers in WW2 and today's soldiers. The human cost of victory and the necessity of remembering individual stories to understand the true nature of war also features. Gez's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Shogun" by James Clavell. My choice is Gez's Book "Voices of Victory - Powerful eye witness accounts of the battle to take Germany, Feb 1945 to VE Day ". Gez's podcast Veteran State of Mind is here - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veteran-state-of-mind-network/id1450720132His web site is here - https://www.geraintjonesmedia.com/ WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier <a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/UCS473" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bookshop</a>.&nbsp;10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.&nbsp;&nbsp; "BUY ME A COFFEE" If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/unconsoldierpod" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a> SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.Facebook @lateo82.&nbsp;Twitter @TheUCS473.Download these and other platforms via<a href="https://linktr.ee/unconventionalsoldier" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Link Tree</a>.Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.&nbsp;This episode brought to you in association with<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer"> ISARR</a> a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Voices Of Victory: The Brutal Battle For Germany 1945

Our guest on Pod #002 is Major General Anthony Stone CB the founder of the Special Observer concept at the height of the Cold War. The "stay behind" Special OP Troop consisted of selected soldiers in 6 man patrols whose task was to dig in large underground hides known as "mexe" shelters along the inner German border. They would then allow the main Soviet forces to pass over them before deploying to two smaller OPs where they would engage the enemy with the long range guns and rockets of the British Army. General Stone talks about his time in civvi street working in a bakery, as a budding motor racer and finally a potential architect. How he decided to make a career in the Army first joining the ranks of the Royal Engineers for basic training before heading to Sandhurst and commissioning in the Royal Artillery. We discuss the legendary WO1 John Lord the first Regimental Sergeant Major of 3 Para and the first Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst, P Company, the Malayan/Borneo campaign and operational deployments to Northern Ireland and Op Granby (Gulf War 1991). Finally the General's part in the development of some key Army equipment including the procurement of the controversial SA80 rifle. In the second half we move on to the threat faced by the then British Army Of The Rhine from the former Soviet Union and the formation of the Special OP Troop. The idea behind the concept, how the selection process was designed and the challenges the General faced making a radical idea reality. Finally his thoughts on the future role of the Special Observer, now Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Patrols in 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery,  in what is likely to be turbulent period for an Army required to make significant cuts in the 21st century. We finish with his desert island dits selection of "Red Notice" a book by Bill Browder. The "Dambusters" film and his luxury item "Penderyn Myth" single malt whisky. Other recommendations from the team include <a href='https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000kxws'>"Once Upon A Time In Iraq"</a> an outstanding documentary from the BBC and the <a href='https://mwi.usma.edu/'>"Irregular Warfare Podcast"</a>. Find out about the serving unit at <a href='https://apply.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-artillery/gunner-sta-patrols-special-observer'>the contemporary Special Observer.</a> Follow us on Instagram "the_unconventional_soldier_pod" and Facebook "The Unconventional Soldier Pod" (search for @lateo82). We are also available to download on iTunes and Google podcasts. Email us: <a href='mailto:unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com'>unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com</a> This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Our guest on Pod #002 is Major General Anthony Stone CB the founder of the Special Observer concept at the height of the Cold War. The "stay behind" Special OP Troop consisted of selected soldiers in 6 man patrols whose task was to dig in large underground hides known as "mexe" shelters along the inner German border. They would then allow the main Soviet forces to pass over them before deploying to two smaller OPs where they would engage the enemy with the long range guns and rockets of the British Army. General Stone talks about his time in civvi street working in a bakery, as a budding motor racer and finally a potential architect. How he decided to make a career in the Army first joining the ranks of the Royal Engineers for basic training before heading to Sandhurst and commissioning in the Royal Artillery. We discuss the legendary WO1 John Lord the first Regimental Sergeant Major of 3 Para and the first Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst, P Company, the Malayan/Borneo campaign and operational deployments to Northern Ireland and Op Granby (Gulf War 1991). Finally the General's part in the development of some key Army equipment including the procurement of the controversial SA80 rifle. In the second half we move on to the threat faced by the then British Army Of The Rhine from the former Soviet Union and the formation of the Special OP Troop. The idea behind the concept, how the selection process was designed and the challenges the General faced making a radical idea reality. Finally his thoughts on the future role of the Special Observer, now Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Patrols in 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery, in what is likely to be turbulent period for an Army required to make significant cuts in the 21st century. We finish with his desert island dits selection of "Red Notice" a book by Bill Browder. The "Dambusters" film and his luxury item "Penderyn Myth" single malt whisky. Other recommendations from the team include "Once Upon A Time In Iraq" an outstanding documentary from the BBC and the "Irregular Warfare Podcast". Find out about the serving unit at the contemporary Special Observer. Follow us on Instagram "the_unconventional_soldier_pod" and Facebook "The Unconventional Soldier Pod" (search for @lateo82). We are also available to download on iTunes and Google podcasts. Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest on Pod #002 is Major General Anthony Stone CB the founder of the Special Observer concept at the height of the Cold War. The "stay behind" Special OP Troop consisted of selected soldiers in 6 man patrols whose task was to dig in large underground hides known as "mexe" shelters along the inner German border. They would then allow the main Soviet forces to pass over them before deploying to two smaller OPs where they would engage the enemy with the long range guns and rockets of the British Army. General Stone talks about his time in civvi street working in a bakery, as a budding motor racer and finally a potential architect. How he decided to make a career in the Army first joining the ranks of the Royal Engineers for basic training before heading to Sandhurst and commissioning in the Royal Artillery.&nbsp;We discuss the legendary WO1 John Lord the first Regimental Sergeant Major of 3 Para and the first Academy Sergeant Major at Sandhurst, P Company, the Malayan/Borneo campaign and operational deployments to Northern Ireland and Op Granby (Gulf War 1991). Finally the General's part in the development of some key Army equipment including the procurement of the controversial SA80 rifle. In the second half we move on to the threat faced by the then British Army Of The Rhine from the former Soviet Union and the formation of the Special OP Troop. The idea behind the concept, how the selection process was designed and the challenges the General faced making a radical idea reality. Finally his thoughts on the future role of the Special Observer, now Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) Patrols in 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery,&nbsp; in what is likely to be turbulent period for an Army required to make significant cuts in the 21st century. We finish with his desert island dits selection of "Red Notice" a book by Bill Browder. The "Dambusters" film and his luxury item "Penderyn Myth" single malt whisky. Other recommendations from the team include <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000kxws" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Once Upon A Time In Iraq"</a> an outstanding documentary from the BBC and the <a href="https://mwi.usma.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Irregular Warfare Podcast"</a>.&nbsp;Find out about the serving unit at <a href="https://apply.army.mod.uk/roles/royal-artillery/gunner-sta-patrols-special-observer" rel="noopener noreferrer">the contemporary Special Observer.</a> Follow us on Instagram "the_unconventional_soldier_pod" and Facebook "The Unconventional Soldier Pod" (search for @lateo82). We are also available to download on iTunes and Google podcasts. Email us: <a href="mailto:unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com</a> This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Stay Behind OPs: The UK's Cold War Deep Strike Patrols

Meet your hosts as they grapple with new technology and attempt to master the challenges of podcasting.  Follow their journey to covert Surveillance & Target Acquisition (STA) patrols via the jungles of Central America, the Far East, Canada, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Germany.  Along the way they will discuss the merits of 58 pattern webbing, jungle soldiering, Aussie ponchos, hammocks and Assam tea in a tin.  For the cultured they will review two films "Platoon" and "Paths of Glory" and try to win you over with a couple of classic book recommendations "The Cauldron" and "Quartered Safe Out Here".Follow us on Instagram "the_unconventional_soldier_pod" and Facebook "The Unconventional Soldier Pod" (search for @lateo82).Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.comThis episode brought to you in association with <a href='https://isarr.com/'>ISARR</a> a veteran owned company.  <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Meet your hosts as they grapple with new technology and attempt to master the challenges of podcasting. Follow their journey to covert Surveillance & Target Acquisition (STA) patrols via the jungles of Central America, the Far East, Canada, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Germany. Along the way they will discuss the merits of 58 pattern webbing, jungle soldiering, Aussie ponchos, hammocks and Assam tea in a tin. For the cultured they will review two films "Platoon" and "Paths of Glory" and try to win you over with a couple of classic book recommendations "The Cauldron" and "Quartered Safe Out Here". Follow us on Instagram "the_unconventional_soldier_pod" and Facebook "The Unconventional Soldier Pod" (search for @lateo82). Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet your hosts as they grapple with new technology and attempt to master the challenges of podcasting.&nbsp; Follow their journey to covert Surveillance &amp; Target Acquisition (STA) patrols via the jungles of Central America, the Far East, Canada, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Germany.&nbsp; Along the way they will discuss the merits of 58 pattern webbing, jungle soldiering, Aussie ponchos, hammocks and Assam tea in a tin.&nbsp; For the cultured they will review two films "Platoon" and "Paths of Glory" and try to win you over with a couple of classic book recommendations "The Cauldron" and "Quartered Safe Out Here".Follow us on Instagram "the_unconventional_soldier_pod" and Facebook "The Unconventional Soldier Pod" (search for @lateo82).Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.comThis episode brought to you in association with&nbsp;<a href="https://isarr.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">ISARR</a>&nbsp;a veteran owned company.&nbsp;&nbsp; Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Presenter Introduction and Army Background

"Letting the Guest Tell the Story" The Unconventional Soldier Podcast explores conflicts from the Second World War, the Cold War, Northern Ireland and the Global War on Terror. Hosted by veterans, it blends personal experience, regimental history, and in-depth analysis of battles, leadership, and military transformation. Episodes feature former soldiers, historians, and defence experts discussing life on operations, lessons learned, and the enduring legacy of British and other Army campaigns. Follow for authentic voices, forgotten conflicts, and sharp insights from those who served.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Society & Culture

Documentary

Government

History

"Letting the Guest Tell the Story" The Unconventional Soldier Podcast explores conflicts from the Second World War, the Cold War, Northern Ireland and the Global War on Terror. Hosted by veterans, it blends personal experience, regimental history, and in-depth analysis of battles, leadership, and military transformation. Episodes feature former soldiers, historians, and defence experts discussing life on operations, lessons learned, and the enduring legacy of British and other Army campaigns. Follow for authentic voices, forgotten conflicts, and sharp insights from those who served. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Letting the Guest Tell the Story" The Unconventional Soldier Podcast explores conflicts from the Second World War, the Cold War, Northern Ireland and the Global War on Terror. Hosted by veterans, it blends personal experience, regimental history, and in-depth analysis of battles, leadership, and military transformation. Episodes feature former soldiers, historians, and defence experts discussing life on operations, lessons learned, and the enduring legacy of British and other Army campaigns. Follow for authentic voices, forgotten conflicts, and sharp insights from those who served. Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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The Unconventional Soldier

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