Military Veterans Podcast

Original Episode: Ep 039 - Cpl Mark Stevens from 10th August 2023. In this Viewpoint, Mark describes his transition from the military to civilian life in the health and safety sector where he was able to apply his military experience. This enabled him to rapidly advance within the business. He highlights the adjustments he made to understand the civilian mindset and the qualifications that facilit...

Original Episode: Ep 038 - CAPT William Toti from 10th July 2023. In this Viewpoint, William discusses his experiences in civilian life and career progression after the Navy. He shares his insights to help others and subsequently published a book titled From CO to CEO . He also offers valuable advice for prospective military recruits and veterans as they navigate their transition to civilian life....

Original Episode: Ep 037 - COL Rob Campbell from 10th June 2023. In this Viewpoint, Rob discusses his transition from military to civilian life, connecting it to his distinct milestones from his tenure in the United States Army. He shares the challenges he encountered upon leaving the military after 27 years, including adapting to civilian life, which presented its own learning and adaptation to n...

Original Episode: Ep 036 - Sgt Hugh Keir from 10th May 2023. In this Viewpoint: Hugh discusses his personal mental health journey, from the initial confusion surrounding its nature and purpose to the gradual development of self-awareness and the ability to empathise with others. Consequently, he established the podcast H-Hour, which serves as a platform for learning from others. He derives great p...

In this PTSD Special, previous podcast guest AJ Pingram and host Gav Watson share their personal journeys with PTSD and how they came to meet Adrian Cole MBE. Adrian, also known as Ady, recounts his individual journey from his 20-year career in the Royal Marines and how he became involved in this line of work, assisting many individuals in overcoming their own challenges, including PTSD. We engage...

In 2014, Josh enlisted in the British Army as a Royal Engineer, serving for a period of six years and attaining the rank of Sapper (Spr). In this episode, Josh discusses his journey of growing up and his aspiration to join the Royal Engineers. He also shares his experiences with basic training, phase 2 training to become a combat engineer, and his trade training as a driver at Defence School of Tr...

Alex joined the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) in 2001 and served for four and a half years, attaining the rank of Marine (Mne). In this episode, Alex discusses the process and his journey in joining the Royal Marines Reserve, including his time as a member of 539 Assault Squadron. During this tenure, he was attached to the United States Marine Corps and later completed jungle training in Brunei. As...

Original Episode: Ep 035 - LCpl Murray Hambro from 10th April 2023. In this Viewpoint: Murray shares his journey of leaving the Army as an amputee and finding a new sense of purpose. This included participating in a motorcycle racing team, which ultimately led him to become a Physical Training Instructor. His desire to improve his fitness and that of his team drove him to pursue this new career. M...

Ian joined the British Army in 1989, serving in the Army Air Corps for 21 years. During this tenure, attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col). In this episode, Ian discusses his journey through the University Officers’ Training Corps (UOTC) and his tenure as a member of the Territorial Army. Prior to completing the comprehensive officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he...

Original Episode: Ep 034 - Maj Kerry Gospel from 10th March 2023. In this Viewpoint: Kerry discusses his decision to leave the British Army, acknowledging that the opportune moment for departure had arrived. He subsequently shares his transition back to civilian life, finding his feet with different jobs before settling on a career helping veterans within the healthcare system. Watch Full Episode...

Ben enlisted in the British Army in 2005, joining the Royal Corps of Signals. During the course of 16 years of service, Ben attained the rank of Sergeant (Sgt). In this episode, Ben recounts his journey into the British Army, detailing the training phases he underwent before joining his first unit. He deployed to Afghanistan soon after, which marked the beginning of his interest in joining the UK...

Original Episode: Ep 033 - MAJ Steve Rindahl from 10th February 2023. In this Viewpoint: Steve shares his transition back to civilian life, after fully leaving the military, away from the active duty and reserves. This included his participation in the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage that leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This inspired him to establish a charity called Wa...

Original Episode: Ep 032 - Sgt William Taylor from 10th January 2023. In this Viewpoint: William talks about how his book 'On Full Automatic: Surviving 13 Months in Vietnam' came about, and how when writing this book, it was helpful and healing for him on a personal level. William - aka Bill - also shares some good advice for people thinking of joining the military, and also some good ad...

Original Episode:  Ep 031 - LBdr Ryan Yates from 10th December 2022. In this Viewpoint: Ryan shares founding a not-for-profit Community Interest Company called Veteran’s Army , where they help veterans and their family. He also gives advice for people thinking of joining the military, plus some good advice for people as a veteran. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: Part 1: youtu.be/Sg86jFIE7yg Part 2:...

In 2008, Gerry enlisted in the Royal Air Force (RAF) as an Aerospace Systems Operator and served for nine years, attaining the rank of Corporal (Cpl). In this episode, Gerry discusses his decision to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) and his subsequent training to become an Aerospace Systems Operator. He provides insights into the operational locations of this trade, including RAF Boulmer, where he s...

Original Episode:  Ep 030 - Maj Alex Gardiner from 10th November 2022 In this Viewpoint, Alex discusses his aspiration to become a civilian photographer, with the intention of travelling to Afghanistan to gain a unique perspective on the world and potentially provide assistance in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, given his prior knowledge of the region’s vulnerability. Over the years, Alex had c...

Aaron joined the United States Navy (USN) in 1999 as a Mess Management Specialist (Cook), and later transferred to the United States Army (USA) as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Specialist, serving for a combined 14 years. Aaron reached the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSG). In this episode Aaron talks about his time joining the U.S. Navy, and graduating Navy Boot Camp, before completing the Navy...

Original Episode:  Ep 029 - SSG Diana Soriano from 10th October 2022. In this Viewpoint: Diana talks about her transition out of the U.S. Army back into civilian life, which included tackling mental health issues, after suppressing many thoughts and feelings from her time in the military. She also speaks about how writing her book - In Loving Memory - really helped her, which ended up getting publ...

Jo joined the British Army in 1995 and served for 24 years in the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt). In this episode, Jo talks about joining up and going through training, which was during the terrible times at Deepcut, but after getting through this part of training, she moved onto the famous driver training school, being the Defence School of Transport (DST)...

Original Episode: Ep 028 - Sgt Joe O'Connor from 10th September 2022. In this Viewpoint: Joe talks about wanting to challenge himself, away from the Royal Engineers, and in 1999 went on Special Forces Selection. During training with the SF team, late at night with bad weather and visibility, Joe gets taken to hospital after being blown off the side of a cliff, which ended up breaking his neck...

Ian joined the Royal Navy in 1975, and served for 16 years as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), reaching the rank of Leading Aircraft Engineering Mechanic (Weapons Electrical) (LAEM(WL)). In this episode Ian talks about his journey in joining the Royal Navy, and what it was like being one of the last courses to go through basic training, at HMS Ganges. He also shares some insights into life at RNAS...

Original Episode:  Ep 027 - Lt Tom Moore from 10th August 2022. In this Viewpoint: Tom talks how the end of his career came to be, and how this was difficult for him to come to terms with, causing him to be depressed. However, through help, he came to terms with it all and tackled his thoughts to move back to civilian life...which included leave without pay. This was a challenge to get a new job,...

Tony joined the British Army in 1995, as a Probationary 2nd Lieutenant on a Short Service Limited Commission, and later joined both the Regular and Reserve services. He served a total of 19 years, reaching the rank of Major (Maj). In this episode Tony talks about growing up and his ambition to join the British Army, sharing his journey with courses at Sandhurst on multiple occasions, and being par...

Original Episode:  Ep 026 - SNO Sue Warner from 10th July 2022. In this Viewpoint: Sue talks about returning from Afghanistan and needing to take a career break, due to a tough period in her life, and after this break she returned to nursing. Sue also shares how sport has helped her recovery, with the support of Help for Heroes. Plus during the crazy times of COVID-19, she stepped forward and used...

Gary joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery (RA) in the British Army twice, once in 1999 and again in 2004. He served for 12 years in total, reaching the rank of Bombardier (Bdr). In this episode Gary talks about his journey in joining the British Army, and why he left and then rejoined a few years later. He shares his time completing many courses, which prepared him for operational tours of Iraq...