The Unconventional Soldier
by theunconventionalsoldier
"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.
Episodes
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Can You Fight An Ethical War?
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,...
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Why Militaries Can't "Bypass and Avoid" Urban Warfare
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...
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Voices Of Victory: The Brutal Battle For Germany 1945
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...
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After The Army: Identity & Purpose In Civilian Life
CONTENT The guest today is Gemma Gardner, a British Army veteran who moved into performance psychology. After experiencing mental health issues following her medical discharge, she developed the Orus framework, which focuses on the five pillars of awareness, understanding, regulation, identity…
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The Bayonet Is Obsolete
CONTENT My guests for this podcast are Neale Smiles and Stuart Lyle. Stuart is the Urban Operations Lead at the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, or Dstl, part of the Ministry of Defence. Neale is a former soldier working in the defence industry. For generations, the bayonet has…
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Sweden's Cold War Stay-Behind Operations
CONTENT The guest today is Dr Johan Wennstrom an intelligence historian and writer on statecraft, from the Cold War underground to today’s crises. He is the author of “The Stay Behinds: Sweden’s Cold War Guardians” a national bestseller in Sweden recently translated into English and also writes…
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The Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
CONTENT Listener information - On this episode we discuss the realities of life in a war zone and suicide. My guest is Graham Paul Roberts, a former Welsh Guardsman and private military contractor who served in numerous global conflict zones in the military and as a PMC. He describes his journey...
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Operation Market Garden: The Psychological Failures Behind Montgomery’s Biggest Gamble
CONTENT The guest today is Dr. Gary Buck, a psychologist and military historian, who uses psychological frameworks to analyze the planning failures of Operation Market Garden. Gary applies the OODA loop and Myers-Briggs personality types to examine why high-level commanders like Montgomery,...
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The Need For British Army Cold War Stay-Behind Patrols
CONTENT I was saddened to hear this week of the death of Major General Tony Stone CB. The Unconventional Soldier Podcast was created to preserve the history of the Special OP Troop, now known as 4/73 (Special Observation Post) Battery, the British Army's long-range Surveillance and Target...
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Fire Mission Falklands: A 148 Battery Commando's War
CONTENT In this episode I speak with Steve "Tommo" Thomas, whose remarkable military career took him from being a sailor in the Royal Navy to some of the British Army's most demanding specialist units. After passing both the commando course and P Company, Tommo served with 148 Commando Forward...
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Beyond PTSD: The Hidden Psychology Of Why Veterans Struggle
CONTENT The guest today is Matthew Addison-Black, a former officer in the Royal Gurkha Rifles, discussing his military career and current psychological research. He explains the history and rigorous selection process of the Gurkhas, highlighting the immense socioeconomic transformation these...
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Holland's Hidden Heroes: Dutch Resistance & Allied Airman In The Polders
CONTENT The guest today is Lilian van Mourik who has been on the podcast before when we discussed the recovery of wartime Stirling bomber BK716. On this one we feature her efforts to preserve the unique wartime history of the Dutch polders through her podcast Holland's hidden heroes and touring...
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Commanding The SAS During The Malayan Emergency
CONTENT The guest today is Rupert Hague-Holmes and we discuss the life of Lieutenant General Sir George Lea, a pivotal figure in British military history who played a central role in the survival of the SAS. The conversation explores Lea’s transition from a non-academic, athletic youth into a...
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When Loyalty Goes Wrong: Inside Toxic Police & Military Culture
CONTENT The guest today is Graham Goulden a much sought after international speaker, leadership and violence prevention trainer. For thirty years he was a Scottish police officer specialising in criminal investigation, drug investigation, training, and crime prevention. For the last eight years…
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Digital Fires Revolution: How Software Is Speeding Up The Battlespace
CONTENT My guests today are Neale Smiles and Ian Garnett. Regular listener will know Neale from previous podcasts where we have discussed defence and technology issues. Ian, is a former New Zealand Army officer who transitioned from a career in the army to become a successful defence technology...
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A Bloody Siege: Musa Qal'eh - Afghanistan 2006
CONTENT My guest is retired Lt Col Derek Plews, a man whose career has spanned journalism, the MOD press office, and 37 years of military service as a reservist including operations in Afghanistan Now, he has turned his focus to a critical chapter of the war in that theatre: the siege of Musa...
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The True Cost Of Combat Operations In Afghanistan & Iraq
CONTENT The guest on this episode is Chris Oldfield, a former Royal Engineer. We discuss his military career and high-intensity operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he witnessed significant casualties whilst dealing with the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices. Chris…
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The Homeless Veteran Problem
CONTENT This pod was originally recorded in the discussion I had with Brad Knight on episode 111 when we discussed his involvement in Royal Engineer Search Teams operations in Afghanistan. I decided to cut it as a separate episode as a subject in its own right. On this one we discuss the systemic...
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Into The Minefields: Navy Clearance Divers - Operation GRANBY
CONTENT The guest today is Royal Navy diver Stu. We discuss his early career in the navy before he volunteered to be a clearance diver and he describes the rigorous selection and training required for the role. We then move on to operations in the first Gulf war (Operation GRANBY) where his...
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Royal Engineers: Defeating The Taliban Bomb Makers
CONTENT The guest today is former Royal Engineer Brad Knight. On this episode we discuss his service with the Royal Engineers and his specialised role in counter IED search teams during the war in Afghanistan. Joining the army at 16 years old, he eventually transitioned from a driver to a lead...
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Terry Powell DCM: SBS In The Falklands War - Part 5
CONTENT This pod is the fifth in a series featuring former Royal Marine, SBS soldier and clearance diver Terry Powell. In this episode he recounts his deployment with the SBS during the 1982 Falklands War. Terry describes the chaotic initial mobilisation, including a discarded high-stakes plan to...
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Terry Powell DCM: SBS Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Ops - Part 4
CONTENT This pod is the fourth in a series featuring former Royal Marine, SBS soldier and clearance diver Terry Powell. In this episode Terry recounts his extensive career in specialised underwater operations and military training. He highlights his role in the early development of the Swimmer...
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Terry Powell DCM: Life In The SBS - Part 3
CONTENT This pod is the third of a series featuring former Royal Marine, SBS soldier and clearance diver Terry Powell. After passing SBS selection Terry underwent diverse and rigorous training, including HALO/HAHO parachuting and advanced paramedic certification. The narrative also highlights his...
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Terry Powell DCM: SBS Selection - Part 2
CONTENT This pod is the second of a series featuring former Royal Marine, SBS soldier and clearance diver Terry Powell. In this episode Terry describes the intense selection process and evolving identity of the Special Boat Service (SBS). He details the rigorous physical and psychological trials...
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Terry Powell DCM: SBS & Clearance Diver- Part 1
CONTENT This pod is the first of a series featuring former Royal Marine, SBS soldier and clearance diver Terry Powell. Terry joined the Corps in 1972 and after basic training was posted to 45 Comando RM before passing selection for the SBS in 1979. He remained in the unit until 1998, including a...
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Richard Westley OBE MC: Operations In Northern Ireland, Bosnia & Afghanistan
CONTENT My 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...
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The Afghanistan Veterans Community
CONTENT The 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…
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Achtung Pig: Life In BAOR & Northern Ireland
CONTENT The 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...
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Helicopter Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) In The Falklands War
CONTENT This 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...
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Challenging Conventional Wisdom On Land Warfare
CONTENT The 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...
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Sustaining The War: Combat Logistic Patrols In Afghanistan
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...
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Send It: Canadian Snipers In Afghanistan
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...
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RUC: UN Policing Operations In Kosovo 1999
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…
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A British Army Infantry Reservist’s War In Iraq
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...
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Ukraine's Foreign Legion Volunteers
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…
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The Troubles: The Army's Hardest Military Lessons
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…
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The Battle of Danny Boy & The Iraqi Al - Sweady Inquiry
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…
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Thunder Run Meiktila 1945 - War In Burma
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…
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New Zealand's War In Vietnam: Fighting The VC & NVA
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…
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Commanding 1 PWRR Battle Group: Operation TELIC 4 (Iraq 2004)
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…
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Jungle Warrior: Britain's Greatest SOE Commander
CONTENT The guests today are Duncan Gilmour, Peacock's only grandson, who has worked with Richard Duckett, the author of a compelling new biography on Peacock called, "Jungle Warrior" On this episode we discuss the incredible, yet largely unknown, story of courage, leadership, and jungle warfare…
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The Weight Of PTSD: 96 Miles With A Washing Machine
CONTENT The guest today is Scotty Darroch. On this pod we discuss his challenging upbringing and decision to join the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) at 18. He discusses his military roles, the impact of ADHD on his service, his PTSD and involvement in the Invictus Games, highlighting its significance...
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John A Dailey: Force Recon, MARSOC, & Special Operations
CONTENT My guest today is John A. Dailey, retired US Marine Corps Master Sergeant and author of Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations. With over two decades of service, John’s career took him from Force Recon to the front lines of America’s post-9/11 conflicts,...
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War In The South Atlantic: 3 Para's Battle For Mount Longdon
CONTENT I first recorded this as a two part interview with Parachute Regiment soldier Jimmy Morham 4 years ago as part of a discussion on his military career. This podcast has had the audio improved and focuses on the battle for Mount Longdon during the Falkland's War in 1982 and is being…
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Training Without War: Simulation, Data & The Future Battlefield
CONTENT The guest today is former soldier Neale Smiles and on this episode we have an extensive discussion on military simulation and training, particularly within the British Army. It explores the evolution of simulation technologies, including virtual reality and augmented reality, and their...
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The Provisional IRA Campaign Of Violence In Europe
CONTENT The guest today is Kim Read who was previously on pods 49 and 79 when we discussed the International Long Range Recce Patrol School and the East German Army. On this episode we talk about the Provisional Irish Republican Army's (IRA) campaign against British forces in Germany during the...
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Sleeping In The Ditch With Slobodan Milosevic: Bosnia War Stories
CONTENT The guest today is former Royal Logistic Corps 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". In this episode we discuss his second book about his tour in Bosnia and...
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Reassessing The Performance Of The German Army In WW2
CONTENT The guest today is Phil Blood a British historian and author specialising in military history, the Holocaust, and Nazi occupation policies. He is best known for his in-depth research on the intersection of warfare and genocide, particularly in Eastern Europe during World War II. On this...
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Life in 2 PARA: Training, Operations & Aftermath
CONTENT The guest today is former soldier Chris Binch. After serving 7 years with 2 PARA he left to work in the Private Security Industry before joining the fire service. He is the host of the The Old Paratrooper Podcast. We discuss military experiences, the transition to civvi street and...
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SAS: Sea King Down: Falklands War 1982
CONTENT The guest today is Mark "Splash" Aston. Splash joined the Gloucester Regiment in 1964 as a teenager. He later passed selection for 22 SAS as a Colour Sergeant in the late 1970s joining Mountain Troop of D Squadron. On this episode discuss his early army life, training for selection and…
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About this show
"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 by
theunconventionalsoldier
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