Military Veterans Podcast

Mark joined the British Army in 1990 and served for 23 years with the Royal Engineers, reaching the rank of Corporal. In this episode Mark talks about joining the British Army and going through the Army Apprentices College before completing combat engineer training and becoming a Royal Engineer. He describes what it was like deploying to Bosnia, Norway and Northern Ireland. Later in his career, Ma...

Full Episode: Ep 011 - SMSgt Shawn Sprayberry from 10th April 2021 . In this Viewpoint: Shawn talks about the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), from the U.S. Air Force perspective, and he shares how his transition included him dealing with PTSD and understanding that part of his mindset. He also shares his first few jobs when he left the military, and how he came to work with the Air Force Woun...

Bill joined the United States Navy (USN) in 1974 as an enlisted man, before becoming a commissioned officer, soon after joining. He served for 26 years on Active duty, in the Submarine service, reaching the rank of Captain. In this episode Bill talks about joining the U.S. Navy, and what it was like going through the application process to become a commissioned officer, with less than 1 year in se...

Full Episode: Ep 010 - WO2 Mark Elliott from 10th March 2021 . In this Viewpoint: Mark talks about how he helped start the charity Help for Heroes, with getting the Tin Hut (where the episode was recorded) up and running, plus he also gives some good advice for people thinking of joining the military and also advice for veterans when working with civilians. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: youtu.be/...

Rob joined the United States Army (USA) in 1987 and served for 27 years in the Infantry, as a Ranger and Paratrooper, reaching the rank of Colonel. In this episode Rob talks about joining the U.S. Army as an officer, completing Ranger School, progressing through the ranks to become a Staff Officer and Company Commander in Hawaii.  Plus what it was like being an Aide-de-camp for a 3 star General, b...

Full Episode: Ep 009 - Cpl Jessica-Rose Johnson from 10th February 2021 . In this Viewpoint: Jessica-Rose shares her recovery journey with the help of sports, by being selected and competing at the Warrior Games (New York 2016) and the Invictus Games (Toronto 2017).  She also gives some strong advice to people thinking of joining the military, and for veterans who are about to leave or have been o...

Hugh joined the British Army in 2000 and served in the Parachute Regiment for 11 1/2 years, specialising as a sniper. He reached the rank of Sergeant. In this episode Hugh talks about his experience with joining the British Army and going through basic training, before moving onto Pegasus Company (P-Coy) and the jumps course, to become a Paratrooper. He talks about deployments to Northern Ireland,...

Full Episode: Ep 008 - Cpl Callum Nugent from 10th January 2021 . In this Viewpoint: Callum shares his journey with competing in the 2017 Toronto Invictus Games, and the appearance he made on the BBC’s The One Show before heading out to compete. He also gives some advice for people thinking of joining the military, plus advice for veterans. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: youtu.be/uq1jcagldn8 TikTo...

Murray joined the British Army in 2002 and served for 12 years in the Royal Tank Regiment, reaching the rank of Lance Corporal. In this episode Murray talks about growing up and his journey in joining the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR). He also talks about completing a UN tour in Cyprus, being part of a team that specialises in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear defence (CBRN), and two tour...

Full Episode: Ep 007 - Cpl 'H' Hubber from 10th December 2020 . In this Viewpoint: 'H' talks about his time taking part in the inaugural Invictus Games back in 2014. He took part as an archer and was successful by becoming the first ever double Gold medalist (Individual and Team events) in this sport at the games. 'H' also shares his advice about joining the military...

Kerry joined the British Army in 1987 and served for 28 years, reaching the rank of Major, after becoming a Late Entry (LE) Officer. In this episode Kerry talks about his journey in joining the Army, being part of an Airborne Brigade, and skydiving with the Red Devils. Plus he talks about supporting 23 Special Air Service (SAS). Kerry also shares his experiences on Exercise Saif Sareea 2, deployin...

Full Episode: Ep 006 - Sgt Gareth Paterson from 10th November 2020 . In this Viewpoint: Gareth shares his transition back to civilian life into the cyber security sector, after 24 years in the British Army. He also gives some good advice for veterans who might be struggling when they leave. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: youtu.be/x3VReec9oDk TikTok: tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcast Instagram: i...

Steve joined the United States Army (USA) in 1985 and served for a total of 31 years, comprising of Active Duty and Reserve, with roles including Parachute Rigger and later becoming an Army Chaplain. In this episode Steve talks about joining the Army, going through multiple training courses, which included Airborne School and the Parachute Rigger Course. He also shares what it was like being part...

Full Episode: Ep 005 - Cpl Josh Boggi from 10th October 2020 . In this Viewpoint: Josh talks about mental health after surviving an IED explosion. He also shares how he coped after a cycling accident on his recumbent bike back in 2019, which caused him to have flashbacks. He also gives advice for people thinking of joining the military and also for people leaving the military. Watch Full Episode o...

Full Episode: Ep 004 - WO2 Ian Radford from 10th October 2020 . In this Viewpoint: Ian and Gav talk about the difference with pay between military and civilian jobs. Ian gives some good advice for people leaving the military and how to not sell yourself short when looking for work as a veteran. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: youtu.be/gRKqqzt8UTM TikTok: tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcast Instagra...

Full Episode: Ep 003 - Cpl Daniel Grobler from 10th October 2020 . In this Viewpoint: Daniel talks about his transition back into civilian life. How things have been a little difficult for him, but some good advice on how someone could leave the military in an easier way, by knowing some of the differences, like pay. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: youtu.be/wNE5TQPNpPg TikTok: tiktok.com/@militaryv...

Full Episode: Ep 002 - MEM1 AJ Pingram from 10th October 2020 . In this Viewpoint: Gav tells AJ that he is good enough. AJ talks about helping others and areas where he is trying to improve himself, but also how he's coping and dealing with his own mental wellness. Watch Full Episode on YouTube: youtu.be/tsDKzfFNsos TikTok: tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcast Instagram: instagram.com/military...

Full Episode: Ep 001 - Sgt Gavin Watson from 10th October 2020 . In this Viewpoint: Gav talks about this new segment for Military Veterans Podcast. Name has been shortened to Viewpoint, from the original of Veteran Viewpoint. As this podcast has evolved over the years, the veterans have been given the opportunity to share thoughts, advice and their insight into different areas. Mainly advice for p...

William joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) in 1966 and served for 4 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant. 13 months of his service was in Vietnam. In this episode William talks about life growing up with a father who was a veteran from World War II, what it was like joining the USMC, and his experience going through boot camp. He also talks about his time being deployed to the Vietnam Wa...

Ryan joined the Army Foundation College, Harrogate in 2004 and later joined the 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery, part of the British Army.  He served for 9 years, reaching the rank of Lance Bombardier (LBdr). In this episode Ryan talks about growing up, joining the British Army via the Army Foundation College and after basic training, what it was like going through t...

Alex joined the British Army in 1971 and served for 20 years; 10 years with the Royal Green Jackets (RGJ), and 10 years with the Special Air Service (SAS), reaching the rank of Major. In this episode Alex talks about joining the British Army as an officer, serving with the Royal Green Jackets (RGJ), and what it was like going through special forces selection to join the British Special Air Service...

Diana joined the United States Army (USA) in 2008 and served as part of the Adjutant General’s (AG) Corps for 10 years, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. In this episode Diana talks about joining the Army, what training was like, and the build up to deploying to Afghanistan within her first year. She also talks about her fiancé, who was also deployed to Afghanistan, but was sadly killed in acti...

Joe joined the British Army as a Regular soldier in 1981 and after leaving in 1988, he rejoined as part of the Territorial Army (Reserves) in 1994. He served for a combined length of 15 years with the Corps of Royal Engineers. In this episode Joe talks about a life changing incident at 14 years old, which invigorated him to join the Royal Engineers. Plus he talks about what it was like being poste...

Tom joined the Australian Army in 2008 and served for 8 years in the infantry; first as a private solider, and then early on in his career, he was commissioned as an officer. In this episode Tom talks about his family history with the military and the incentive to join himself, going through all training as a private solider before requesting to become an officer, where he went through Royal Milit...

Sue joined the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service (QARNNS) in 1977 and served for 25 years. QARNNS was fully affiliated with the Royal Navy from 1977, but was technically a separate service until March 2000, when it officially became part of the Royal Navy. In this episode Sue talks about her inspiration in joining the QARNNS, and what it was like going through the process of becoming a...