A podcast sharing the experiences of Combat in War and the aftermath.
Steve served 27 years in the Parachute Regiment, starting his career in 3 PARA before passing the selection process for the Pathfinders. PF. Steve deployed to NI, Sierra Leone, Macedonia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Steve ended his service as the rank of Sergeant Major. During the episode we talk about his deployments, P'Company and the PF selection. But we also go into the demons he faced later on and it still facing today. Steve has also published three books, 'You'd be nuts too', 'Don't Ask' and 'Meatheads'. You can find Steve https://www.instagram.com/4orce_of_nature/?hl=en-gb https://www.amazon.co.uk/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B091ZKNBGQ?_encoding=UTF8&node=492564011&offset=0&pageSize=12&searchAlias=stripbooks&sort=author-sidecar-rank&page=1&langFilter=default As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
In this episode I speak to Ash, host of Blue Pigment Podcast. Ash is a serving Paratrooper, 18 year Colour Sergeant. During the episode we talk about why Ash started his podcast, trying to build a platform for serving military personnel and veterans to come on and show their creative side. He is doing a great job in breaking that stigma and showing that there is more than bombs and bullets to the miliatry. You can find Ash on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3BGztvxCB4wRbNT7Lv0WJA https://bluepigment.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/blue_pigment_podcast/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
This Episode I speak with Gez Jones, Host of Veteran State of Mind podcase. Gez is an Ex-TA NCO with Royal Welsh, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gez is also an established and successful author. You can find all about Gez's books and podcast here: https://www.flowcode.com/page/geraintjones Follow Gez at: https://www.instagram.com/grjbooks/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/veteranstateofmind/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/grjbooks https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
On this Epsiode I speak to Paul Grennell, host of Grappling with a Physio Podcast. Paul is ex-Irish Guards and now is an avid BJJ pracititioner and a physiotherapist. During the episode we talk about why he started the podcast but also go into what he has gotten out of doing the podcast. You can find Paul at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPxzyOfZCjbkmRbkjRC6qbQ/featured https://instagram.com/grappling_with_physio?utm_medium=copy_link As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
This is a little mini series of fellow veteran podcaster coming on and talking about their podcasts. This is my gift to you, the listeners. This Episode is with Hugh Keir, the host of H-Hour Podcast. https://charliecharlieone.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h-hour-a-snipers-podcast/id1388879117?mt=2 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hhourpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/HHourPodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/hughkeir/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Danny served in the Poachers, Royal Anglian Regiment, getting to the rank of WO2 before taking voluntary redundancy. Danny deployed to Northern Ireland and to Iraq, both multiple times. While Danny was on his first tour of Iraq as a Platoon Sergeant, he had to leave his platoon half way through the tour and just after they went through an incident, in which they lost two lads. We talk about the trials and tribulations of his career but also opens up about the demons he faced recently. As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Archy served alongside me in the Fusiliers. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan twice. His second time in Afghanistan was in Sangin on Herrick 10. During the episode we talk about his two earlier tours which were uneventful but then discussing his last tour which more than made up for it. Archy also talks about what happened on his 'RnR' on his last tour. The fallout caused him to be discharged from the Army and shunned by his unit, despite his service and his actions on the battlefield. During the episodes he also talks about the help he has and is currently receiving through Royal British Legion and Rock to Recovery. https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ https://rock2recovery.co.uk/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Geraint Jones, Gez, is the host of Veteran state of Mind Podcast and a established author with books including Brothers in Arms, Gez initially served in the T.A (Territorial Army, now reserves) while studying but later transitioned to be an enlisted serviceman with the Royal Welsh and served on Op Telic 9 and 10 and Herick 10/11. Throughout this episode we talk about his experiences and challenges, including the differences between the tour theatres of operation. We also go on several tangents before Gez gives an insight to what motivated him into writing his books. You can find all about Gez's books and podcast here: https://www.flowcode.com/page/geraintjones Follow Gez at: https://www.instagram.com/grjbooks/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/veteranstateofmind/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/grjbooks https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Neville is a South African who, like many others, joined the British Army. Neville joined the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in 2003. During his time he deployed to Northern Ireland, Iraq twice and finally to Sangin, Afghanistan in 2007, which left the biggests impact in his life. We talk about how each tour was different but we also discuss that it was only years later that he realised he was changing as a person because of his tours and that led him to seek out and get help from both veterans and professional help. Neville is also an established poet with his poems being published in several publications including Dead reckoning collective https://deadreckoningco.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-After-Anthology-Poet-Warriors/dp/1733809929/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1616193907&sr=1-1 Veterans Collective https://www.instagram.com/theveterancollective/?hl=en https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alone-Crowded-Room-Darren-Roberts/dp/B08RH34WDN/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=veterans+collective&qid=1616194024&s=books&sr=1-3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B085RQRKPY/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 Can follow Neville at https://www.instagram.com/nevillejohnson01/?hl=en As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Kent served 23 years in the Field Artillery, six as an enlisted (regular) where he was the rank of Sgt and then became an Officer throught the Officer Candidate school. He retired as a Major. Kent deployed twice to Iraq. The first deployment was in relative safety, however the second he was deployed with 87th Infantry as a fire support officer. We talk about the differences in the deployments, but we also talk about the struggles faced with veterans upon their return, as well as the stigma sometimes attached to veterans. We also talk about the work that Kent has done with various charities and organisations, listed below. Veterans of Foreign Wars Assistance - https://www.vfw.org/assistance Veteran Suicide Line - https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat Veteran's Administration Suicide Prevention https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/suicide-prevention/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Steve served with 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment , US Army. During the episode, Steve gives an insight into the arduous training needed to make it through 75th Ranger Regiment training. We also go on to talk about his four deployments to Afghanistan, in which we go into depth about the first time he was in a firefight. We then discuss the time he left the military and the struggles he faced, the same struggles that so many people can relate to. He goes on to share that finding a purpose in what you do is what helped him through those difficult times, something many veterans struggle with.. As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Now Andrew's career is a different one than mosts'. Andrew first joined as an officer in 1989. He joined the Fusiliers and first deployed to Northern Ireland, in which he was privy to several incidents with the IRA. We talk about that and how his tours of Bosnia helped him make up his mind in which direction he wanted his career to take. After a few years working towards his goals, even essentially being homeless in the pursuit, he finally joined back up as a Padre for the Royal Marines. Andrew then deployed with 40 Commando on Herrick 12. He is now apart of an initiative called, ‘Fusiliers V Suicide', which is a group of Senior veterans working to eradicate suicide from the fusilier family. Hopefully many more similar initiatives can start from many other units and hopefully, together, we can defeat suicide within the veteran community. You can watch the video below, I will add the website to this when it is up and running. https://fb.watch/2ZhvG5d_WS/ www.samaritans.org As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Matt served 20 years as an officer, 16 years with the Devonshire and Dorest Regiment and his final 4 with the Rifles. Matt served overseas in Northern Ireland, 3 times, in which his first tour was before the cease fire and the first time he experienced combat. He then later served in Sierra Leone and then two tours of Iraq, in which his 2nd tour he was OC of A Coy D&D's. He also served in Afghanistan. Whilst an OC in Iraq, Matt talks about the mental health challenges he faced and the situations he had to deal with as the Officer Commanding. We also talk about how he felt when the D&D's were disbanded and amalgamated into the Rifles, in which I am sure it is a common feeling when units are disbanded. We talk about https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support/mental-health-and-wellbeing/hidden-wounds-service/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
This episode I talk to Major Stu Nicholson, who served with both the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and The Poachers, Royal Anglian Regiment. We talk about his time as a young commander and then go into his time as an OC whilst serving overseas in Iraq and seeing combat for the first time, 11 years into his career. We also discuss time as OC at Brecon for the Platoon Sergeants Battle course as well helping me learn more about an officers career path. As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Martyn served in The Coldstream Guards, deploying overseas to Afghanistan in 2007/08. We talk about his habit of soiling himself to how his tour was for him. We also go into how he witnessed first hand a suicide whilst in training to then his best mate, Parky, taking his own life, and the guilt that has riddled Martyn for years. This was my first Skye episode and we experienced a few technical issues and the quality is not tip top but hang in there. As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
This episode I have Andy Barlow on as a guest. Andy served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, deploying to Northen Ireland and Afghanistan. In September 2006, whilst deployed with 3 Para, Andy was involved in the Kajaki Mine incident, which injured 7 men, including Andy and took the life of Mark Wright. Andy was awarded the George Medal for his actions that day. We go into this but also the struggles he faced after losing his leg and the road to recovery. We also discuss his ventures into sailing and skiing as well as the work he now does with Blesma. The Charities and Organisations discussed in this episode are: Blesma - https://blesma.org/ Veterans Outreach Support - https://www.vosuk.org/ https://www.facebook.com/veteransoutreachsupport/ TILS - Transition Intervention Liaison Service - https://www.veteransservicelse.nhs.uk/ Big White Wall (Togetherall) - https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ Veterans Gateway - https://www.veteransgateway.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/veteransgateway/ Help for Heroes - Hidden Wounds - https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/get-support/mental-health-and-wellbeing/hidden-wounds-service/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Danny served as s Section Commander in The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, where he served in Northen Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan. We go into how his combat experience was and also how it was not being able to deploy with his Company, due to him being an instructor at Catterick. Kiwi then went on to work in the CP circuit overseas for several years and now does amazing work in the UK working with children in the care system. Charities mentioned Defence Medical Welfare Service https://dmws.org.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/DefenceMedicalWelfareService/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Captain John McCowliff is a Late Entry officer currently serving as the Welfare Officer in The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. We talk about his experinces throughout his career dating back to 1997. Like every position John has held in the army, he is currently working towards leaving his mark. Even though John has had a long and distinguished career, he has also had some challenges along the way which we discuss... Charities and organisations spoken about; https://thefusiliers.org/the-fusilier-aid-society/ https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ https://www.samaritans.org/ https://www.justgiving.com/fusiliersaidsociety?fbclid=IwAR3sUaLqwsn9aRy_oP8YfcCdZIi8orgHj5-3CzvO_2doMql0y1EAiBgQKZc https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/first-fusiliers-cpl-green-crossfit-challenge?fbclid=IwAR1gnpyortYBlvCPfeWpijbZLxg-E_-sMw957Ucr2Np39g1bF2X5EyqB9VU As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Hugh served with 3 Para for 11 years and majority of the time as a sniper. We talk about how the tours were for him and we go into some depth about some pretty ally shit. As you all may know, Hugh is the host of his own podcast, H-Hour - A snipers podcast, where he has built a platform giving people the tools to use in life they can chose to use or not. He has had some amazing guests on and I encourage you to have a listen. He also has a website, which has his podcast on as well. https://charliecharlieone.com/ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h-hour-a-snipers-podcast/id1388879117?mt=2 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hhourpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/HHourPodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/hughkeir/ As always, follow me https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com Charities that helped Hugh https://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ https://353.org.uk/ https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/ https://walkingwiththewounded.org.uk/ http://rugbyforheroes.org/
Lawrence served with of both PWRR and Royal Anglian. Lawrence served three tours of Iraq and three tours of Afghanistan. On Lawrence's last tour of Afghanistan, he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions. Lawrence was eventually medically discharged from the Army for combat stress. One thing that was his rock and helped him cope with it all is his work he does with restoring WW2 vehicles and participating in WW2 reenactments through WW2 Living history. Combat Stress https://www.combatstress.org.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/combatstress/ WW2 Living History https://www.ww2lha.co.uk/ Lawrence's https://www.instagram.com/lawrencekayser/?hl=en As alwasy, can find me on https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Due to a gap in episode recordings while I am away with work, I have started my first interlude episode. On these episodes, I will give more exposure to some of the charities and organisations mentioned in my episodes, but I will also shed light on more that are here to help. ‘Sweeping Leaves in the wind' All proceeds go to Rock2Recovery https://www.amazon.com/Sweeping-Leaves-Wind-Darren-Roberts/dp/B085RQRKPY This episode I talk about five organisations. 1. CALM - Campaign Against LIving Miserably https://www.thecalmzone.net/ https://www.instagram.com/calmzone/ 0800585858 2. BuildForce Caroline.Logan.Buildforce@wilsonjames.co.uk or on 07815 755285. 3. Rock 2 Recovery and Team Foritude https://rock2recovery.co.uk/ 01395 220072 https://www.instagram.com/rock2recoveryuk/ https://www.instagram.com/teamfortituder2r/ 4. PTSD Resolution https://ptsdresolution.org/ https://www.instagram.com/ptsdresolution/ 0300 302 0551 5. All Call Signs https://allcallsigns.org/ https://www.instagram.com/allcallsigns/ https://www.facebook.com/allcallsigns 0330 320 1185 As always, can find me on: https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
In Part 2 of Tony's episode, we talk about his tour of Afghanistan and everything that came after. Dealing with loss again, both under is command and personally when his leg was eventually amputated. Tony then talks about his time in the 'spotlight', where he was part of a team featured on Top Gear as the first team made up of injured service personnel, to compete in the Dakar Rally. Tony then went onto compete in the inaugural Invictus games, where some would say, he was the Jessica Ennis of the games..... even if he doesn't have her tight abs. You can find Tony on linked In here https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anthony-harris-64263236 As alwasy, can find me on https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Captain Anthony 'Tony' Harris, served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Tony served two tours of Northern Ireland, three tours of Iraq and one tour of Afghanistan, in which we was involved in an IED/mine explosion causing him to eventually lose his leg. Tony later went on to compete in the Dakar Rally for, Race2Recovery and also becoming the poster boy for GB in the inaugural Invictus games. In the first part of this two part episode, we go into how Sandhurst was and joining the battalion and his first three tours of Iraq, including the loses he suffered as a leader. Get in touch with Tony via linked in https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anthony-harris-64263236 As alwasy, can find me on https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Sonj served with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, seeing 3 tours of Afghanistan. Sonj also, experienced some personal dark times in 2019, which almost ended in the unthinkable. But he's has come out the other side and is a prime example, that with the help and support of people around you; your life can be turned around. As always, can find me on https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Chris served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Light Dragoons. Chris deployed three times to Afghanistan, which we discuss the differences to each deployment. We also talk about the casualties we still face, even though the war has ended for most. We also discuss the charity that helped him along the way https://vgcgroup.co.uk/careers/supporting-entrants/buildforce-careers/ You can find Chris on the following https://uk.linkedin.com/in/christopher-ryan-lee-9a74768a https://www.facebook.com/butterbeanlee As always, can find me on https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
Darren and I served together in The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. In this episode we dove into how the war was for us and how it changed us forever. Along side his business partner at Cryers Butchers in Rochdale, he does a lot of work to promote a safe place where people can come in and talk about anything they have on their mind or anything they are struggling with. Please give Cryers Butchers a follow on facebook and follow the amazing work they do, as well as their awesome low prices. https://www.facebook.com/cryersbutchers If you know anyone who would come on and share their story, please get in touch. I am starting with people I know, but my goal is to speak with combat veterans from all units and get different perspectives. Follow us on instsgram and facebook https://www.facebook.com/thereorgpodcast https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ Email on thereorgpodcast@gmail.com
This is the first episode. Luke, a Parachute Regiment Veteran, who was injured during Op Herrick 13, losing his lower leg. He speaks with me in depth about his time serving, the incident itself and the years following. A really inspirational bloke and all round good geezer. Give him a follow on instagram and other social media platforms. https://www.instagram.com/1leggedskydiver/ https://www.instagram.com/target_fitness1/ Follow us on instgram https://www.instagram.com/thereorgpodcast/ If you want to come on and share your experiences, please email - thereorgpodcast@gmail.com