The Unconventional Soldier

CONTENT

The 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 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.

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Email us: [email protected]. 

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 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 it

Instagram: Author Sniper Veteran (@senditbook) • Instagram photos and videos

Photos courtesy of Barry Nisbet.

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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

In 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 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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

My 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 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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Warrior photo credit - Reuters/Pool/Mark Richards

Book photo credit - Author.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

My guest today is Colin Freeman, a journalist of 30 years of experience. Colin began his career on local papers before becoming a chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph. His extensive career has taken him to numerous war zones and global hotspots, including Iraq, Afghanistan, the Arab Spring revolutions and the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Colin also covered the Somali piracy crisis, during which he was kidnapped and held at gunpoint for six weeks. More recently, he has been covering the war in Ukraine for the past three years as a freelancer for the Daily Telegraph. It was during this time that he conceived the idea for his book, "The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion".

In this episode, we discuss the fascinating and often harrowing world of foreign volunteers fighting in Ukraine. Colin's book explores the diverse motivations that drive these individuals to drop their civilian lives and join a conflict unlike anything seen since World War II. We discuss everything from those defending democracy and seeking personal redemption to the Walter Mittys totally unprepared for the realities of war. Colin shares insights into the challenges of reporting from Ukraine, including the reporters embedded system  and the inherent dangers of the front lines. He also reveals the chaos and disorganization within the International Legion during its early days, the issues of unqualified individuals and vetting failures, and how these internal challenges sometimes posed a greater threat than the enemy.

We also discuss the accounts of torture and psychological manipulation faced by foreign volunteers in Russian captivity. Colin reflects on the difficult readjustment process for returning fighters, highlighting issues like PTSD, the lack of understanding from civilians, and the absence of official support systems for those who fight without government backing. We explore the complex paradox of foreign volunteers risking their lives while some Ukrainians leave the country, and discuss the perceived impact of their actions on the war. Finally, Colin offers his perspective on the future of the war in Ukraine and suggests changes he believes could maximize the Legion's effectiveness.

His book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "An Evil Cradling" by Brian Keenan. My choice is Colin's Book "The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion".

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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Photo credit: Ukrainian International Support Legion Morale 3D PVC Patch - Foreign Solidarity Ukraine - Etsy UK

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

On this episode Kev and I discuss the Army's training for Operation Banner, the nearly four-decade deployment of British forces to Northern Ireland starting in 1969. Initially intended as a temporary measure to aid the civil power, the British military was unprepared for the complexities of the conflict, lacking specific training and relying on outdated counter-insurgency tactics from former colonies. The conversation highlights key events like the introduction of the "yellow card" rules of engagement, the disastrous reintroduction of internment, and Bloody Sunday, all of which significantly alienated the Catholic population and bolstered the PIRA. It also details the evolution of British Army training and tactics, emphasising the shift towards intelligence-led operations, the development of specialist units, and sophisticated countermeasures against IEDs. Finally, the discussion underscores the importance of continuous learning, adaptation, and the unique challenges of a domestic counter-insurgency, acknowledging both successes and failures, and the lasting legacy of the conflict on military doctrine and operations.

The book choice on Desert Island Dits is "Death in Derry: Martin McGuinness and the Derry IRA's war against the British" by Jonathan Trigg.

Reference publication: Operation BANNER - An Analysis of Military Operations In Northern Ireland, Army Code 71842, July 2006.

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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

My guest today is retired Brigadier Matt Maer DSO MBE, who served for 27 years in the British Army and was my guest on pod 91 where we discussed 1 PWRR’s tour of operations on Operation TELIC 4.  If you haven’t already I would give that one listen when you have the time. On this episode, we discuss the Battle of Danny Boy in Iraq during May 2004. He provides historical context, explaining the rise of the Mahdi Army and the significance of the Danny Boy road junction, which was near the site of a prior incident where six British Royal Military Police soldiers were murdered. The discussion then details the complex, multi-faceted engagement of the battle itself, highlighting the bravery and discipline of British soldiers in taking prisoners and the unusual order to recover enemy dead for identification, leading to a decade-long legal inquiry. Despite the emotional and financial toll, the inquiry ultimately vindicated the soldiers, affirming their professionalism and concluding that the allegations of misconduct were baseless lies.

No Desert Island Dits on this episode as Matt was a guest previously.

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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

My guest today is Jack Bowsher, author of "Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945: The Greatest Combined Arms Manoeuvre Battle of WW2. Jack argues this battle was a pivotal Allied victory, predicting modern combined arms maneuver warfare, including tank and air support, in an unexpected jungle and dry plains environment. He highlights Slim's strategic brilliance in adapting to the terrain and Japanese tactics, emphasizing the transformation of the British and Indian armies into a highly effective fighting force capable of aggressive, deep operations behind enemy lines. The discussion also touches on the diverse composition and significant contributions of the Indian and African soldiers in the campaign, and why this crucial chapter of the war has been largely forgotten in Western narratives.

Jack's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Defeat Into Victory" by Field Marshall Viscount Slim. My choice is Jack's book.

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: [email protected]. 

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 John Tulloch a former officer in the New Zealand and British Armies. Every so often I look at the download statistics for a podcast episode and get surprised at how low some of them are considering the subject matter. This episode with John, who fought in Vietnam with the NZ army, is one of them. I have re edited the episode and cut it down so it concentrates purely on his time in SE Asia I’ve also cleaned up the sound for a better listener experience. 

John's military career began when he was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) in 1966. John developed his jungle warfare expertise whilst serving in Vietnam from July 1968 to July 1969 as an FOO nowadays referred to as a fire support team commander.

The discussion offers an in-depth look into New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War, It highlights the controversial nature of the conflict for New Zealand, contrasting their alliance with the US and Australia to their previous ties with the UK. The discussion covers critical aspects such as pre-deployment training, the effectiveness of weaponry and communication in the jungle, and the vital role of artillery and close air support, especially during key battles like Long Tan. Furthermore, we explore the unique challenges of jungle warfare, the nature of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army adversaries, and the post-war reception of returning soldiers, and the delayed recognition of their service and health issues like Agent Orange exposure.

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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CONTENT

My guest today is retired Brigadier Matt Maer DSO MBE, who served for 27 years in the British Army. His distinguished career included operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In addition to regimental duties, he held key intelligence roles within Defence Intelligence and the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre. In this episode, we explore the motivations behind his enlistment, his early training, and his evolving aspirations. A central focus of our conversation is his command of 1 PWRR (Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment) during Operation TELIC 4 in Iraq, a pivotal and demanding period marked by the transition from peace support operations to fierce urban combat.

Matt offers deep insights into the operational challenges of TELIC 4, including the complexities of the rules of engagement, the strain on logistics, and the crucial role of communication in sustaining morale under fire. He discusses the need for adaptive leadership in modern warfare, stressing that respect in command must be continually earned, not assumed by rank. Drawing comparisons between his experiences in Northern Ireland and Iraq, he highlights the importance of rigorous, realistic training and the enduring resilience of British infantry soldiers in the face of unpredictable and high-intensity conflict.

We also reflect on the legacy of the tour, the impact of gallantry awards, and the timeless leadership lessons around flexibility, trust, and preparation that remain relevant to today’s military professionals.

Matt's book choice on Desert Island Dits is "Legionnaire - Five Years In The French Foreign Legion The World's Toughest Army". My choice is "Dusty Warriors" by Richard Holmes.

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: [email protected]. 

This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.