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 distinguished leader who commanded parachute battalions during the Second World War and spearheaded counterinsurgency efforts in Malaya and Borneo.

Rupert highlights Lea's unique leadership style, characterised by a refusal to tolerate low standards and a willingness to share the same risks as his men, including combat tree-jumping in the jungle. Rupert argues that Lea was essential in professionalising the Special Air Service, implementing rigorous selection processes and operational infrastructures that remain in use today. Despite his significant influence and diplomatic success in handling sensitive global conflicts, Lea is portrayed as a modest man whose legacy was largely shaped by his integrity and quiet dedication to service.

Rupert's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Arnhem 1944 The Airborne Battle" by Martin Middlebrook. My choice is Rupert's book on Lea "The Soldiers' General".

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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 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 of his career, he was a Chief Inspector and a key member of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. It was during this time that Graham was able to put right what had become an occurring issue for him during his policing career. Often, when interviewing people who had witnessed abuse and violence, Graham was met with the words, “I knew something was going to happen”.

Graham is a passionate advocate of the bystander approach to help develop personal and organisational leadership to help create safe and supportive learning environments, workplaces, and performance teams.

On this pod we discuss how toxic cultures and rigid hierarchies often suppress "good people" from intervening when they witness misconduct, errors, or poor well-being among their peers. By utilizing behavioural science, Graeme advocates for a shift from passive observation to proactive intervention, aiming to save careers and prevent harm before it escalates to a reportable offense. The conversation highlights how redefining loyalty and fostering emotional intelligence in leadership can transform institutional environments. Ultimately, the source emphasizes that cultural change is driven by empowering staff to support one another and challenge harmful behaviours in the moment.

Graham's book choices on Desert Islands Dits are "Why We Act - Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels" (Known as "The Bystander Effect" in the UK) by Catherine Sanderson and "The Lucifer Effect - How Good People turn Evil" by Philip Zimbardo.

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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 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 entrepreneur. He discusses his extensive military background, including specialised training in digital fire control systems and his experience with large-scale live-firing exercises.

After leaving the forces, he developed a sophisticated, software-based system that modernises the sensor-to-shooter link, allowing for rapid, silent and fully digital communication between observers and weapon platforms. The discussion highlights the challenges small firms face in the defence industry, the importance of interoperability within NATO, and how software-driven innovation is currently reshaping modern warfare. Growing success has seen his technology integrated into several international militaries, proving that agile start-ups can outperform established defence giants.

Ian's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Rommel, Gunner Who?" by Spike Milligan.

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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 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 Qal'ah in 2006. In his book, "Shamrock Among the Poppies - Musa Qal'ah 2006 a bloody siege and the failures behind it" Derek gives a voice to the 87 soldiers—predominantly from the Royal Irish Regiment—who found themselves surrounded, outnumbered, and fighting for survival in a crumbling mud-brick compound.

In this episode, we discuss the controversial platoon house strategy, the political optics that often overrode military logic, and the harrowing reality of a garrison facing multiple Taliban assaults a day over 5 weeks. We also examine the messy negotiated withdrawal and the profound mental toll this high-intensity warfare took on the soldiers who returned.

Derek's book choices on Desert Islands Dits are "Sand and steel - A new history of D-Day" by Peter Caddick Adams and "First day of the Somme" by Martin Middlebrook. My choice is Derek's Book "Shamrock Among the Poppies".

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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 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 also discusses his PTSD and recovery. Now living in Finland, he educates students on trauma and the true human costs of conflict.

Chris's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Now It Can Be Told" by Philip Gibbs. My choice is "Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan" by Richard Overy. We also discuss "Zen And The Art Of Happiness" by Chris Prentiss and "War Is A Racket" by General Smedley D Butler.

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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

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

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 failures contributing to veteran homelessness in the United Kingdom despite the existence of the Armed Forces Covenant. Brad shares his personal struggle with housing instability following a divorce, highlighting how local councils and certain military charities failed to provide affordable or timely support. He critiques the government for outsourcing its responsibilities to charitable organizations that sometimes profit from veterans' misfortunes rather than offering genuine aid. We also discuss the lack of centralized support for mental health and the potential need for a representative union to advocate for fair treatment and pay. The discussion aims to raise awareness and challenge the disjointed systems that leave former service members vulnerable.

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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 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 experiences included clearing Iraqi mines and conducting harbour searches under environmentally hazardous conditions. He describes the psychological demands of underwater operations, the improvisation required in combat zones, and the physical toll of the profession. The episode highlights the camaraderie and dark humour shared between international diving units during the war, the calculated risks of the job and the long-term health concerns faced by veterans. Be aware the discussion talks about death in a war environment.

Stu's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Collected Works of HP Lovecraft" by HP Lovecraft.

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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 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 searcher tasked with detecting IEDs. The conversation highlights the high-stakes nature and extreme psychological pressure of the role. Brad describes the intense cooperation between searchers and EOD teams noting how the tactics were rooted in British military experiences from Northern Ireland. He shares stories of active combat and narrow escapes, illustrating the sobering reality that a single lapse in concentration could result in death or permanent injury. Finally we discuss the complex legacy of a conflict that remains a defining chapter for the soldiers that served there.

Brad's book choice on Desert Island Dits is "Chaos the truth behind the Manson Murders" by Tom O'Neill and Dan Piepenbring. My choice is Brad's Book "Brimstone - A searchers war hunting the Taliban's silent killers.".

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: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

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

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