CONTENT On this episode we discuss 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery between the early 1960s and the Falklands War in 1982. The unit is specially qualified in calling artillery, naval gunfire and airstrikes to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and UK Special Forces. They are experts in covert insertion, patrols behind enemy lines, concealment, encrypted communications and battle damage assessment in all environments. Members of 148 Battery took part in op...
Jun 15, 2022•58 min•Ep. 30
CONTENT On this podcast we discuss one of the lesser known rear guard actions on the retreat to Dunkirk that allowed so many troops to get to the beaches and their subsequent evacuation back to England. This is the Battle of Hondeghem which took place on the 27 May 1940 when K Battery Royal Horse Artillery engaged lead elements of 6 Panzer Division halting them at the village in vicious street fighting and firing their 18 pounder guns at ranges of under 100 yards. The battery suffered heavy loss...
May 26, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 29
CONTENT This is the second part of our podcast with Adam Lyle - Stirling who served as an infantryman in the British Army from 2001 to 2012 first in 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2 PWRR) then in 1 Royal Irish Regiment. Adam completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan finishing his service as a Sergeant. We continue to talk to him about his tour of Afghanistan in 2010 with 1 Royal Irish. Adam talks in detail about several contacts he was involved in, leading and ma...
Apr 27, 2022•50 min•Ep. 28
CONTENT Our guest on this podcast is Adam Lyle - Stirling who served as an infantryman in the British Army from 2001 to 2012 first in 2 Princess of Wales Royal Regiment (2 PWRR) then in 1 Royal Irish Regiment. Adam completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan finishing his service as a Sergeant. On the first of a two part podcast we talk to him about his tour of Afghanistan in 2010 with 1 Royal Irish. Adam talks in detail about several contacts he was involved in, leadin...
Apr 20, 2022•56 min•Ep. 27
CONTENT Our guest on this podcast is John Tulloch who served in Vietnam with the New Zealand Army and later transferred to the British Army. John advised and instructed on the British Army’s Jungle Warfare Instructors’ Course (JWIC) in Brunei and supported major jungle exercises in Belize. Retiring from the Army in 2003 and becoming a MOD Civil Servant, John continued to instruct on JWIC until May 2015. John was honoured with the MBE in 2003 and the Royal Artillery Medal in 2011. An author of se...
Mar 28, 2022•57 min•Ep. 26
CONTENT This is the second part of our podcast with Vietnam veteran John Tulloch. If you have listened to the first part of this podcast (#023) you would be advised to do this first. DESERT ISLAND DITS Johns choice of book on desert island dits is The Old Man And The Sea by Ernest Hemingway and his film is The Longest Day. The team's choice this week is Delta Four: Australian Riflemen in Vietnam by Gary McKay and Britain's Treasure Islands: A Journey to the UK Overseas Territories by Stewart Mcp...
Feb 28, 2022•45 min•Ep. 25
Our guest on this podcast is Vietnam veteran John Tulloch. John's military career began in 1965 and he was commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) in 1966. John developed his jungle warfare expertise whilst serving in Vietnam with 161 Battery from July 1968 to July 1969 as a Forward Observation Officer (FOO) nowadays referred to as a Fire Support Team commander. John transferred to the British Army and Royal Artillery in March 1973 and completed two tours in Northern Ireland , f...
Feb 21, 2022•46 min•Ep. 24
Our guest on this podcast is Ali Macdonald Co-founder & CEO - Resilient Nutrition who served in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the HAC and the London Scottish. On this episode we discuss a short history of rations in the British Army, how modern nutrition techniques are influencing training and feeding of soldiers both in camp and in the field. Finally we look at how intelligent use of appropriate nutrients assists not only those in the military but endurance sports athletes. You can find ...
Jan 30, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 23
Our guest is Army veteran Simon Vincent. On this episode we discuss the war films we rated back in the day when everything was on VHS. Some golden oldies and a few lesser known (in our eyes) classics. If you have enjoyed the podcast we would really appreciate a review especially on Spotify or ITunes. You can follow us on social media on the following platforms and don't forget to like, follow, share. Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod. Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473. Download on ot...
Dec 29, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 22
Our guest is Chris Harvey who served as a reserve STA patrols soldier in the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). On this episode we discuss non-military PTSD from Chris's very personal experience. How is non-military PTSD (also known as Non-Combat post-traumatic stress disorder) different from the PTSD we most often hear about related to military combat? The reality is, it's the same disease, the same symptoms, the same debilitating condition. The precipitating traumas, specific symptoms and sev...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 21
This is the second part of our podcast with mountaineer Andy Kirkpatrick. If you haven't already download "S2 #019 Andy Kirkpatrick Mountaineer Part 1" first. Follow us on social media and don't forget to like, follow, share and leave a review. Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod. Facebook @lateo82. Twitter @TheUCS473. Download on other platforms via Link Tree . Email us: [email protected]. This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company. Hosted ...
Nov 02, 2021•59 min•Ep. 20
Our first civilian guest on the podcast is Andy Kirkpatrick. Described by John Humphreys as the Ranulph Fiennes of British climbing. He’s a professional mountaineer, award-winning writer, film maker and host of the Psychovertical podcast. Andy has climbed all over the world but is viewed as an expert in big wall climbing having summited El Capitan over 30 times including 5 solo ascents and two one day ascents. Andy was kind enough to email and tell us he enjoyed the pod and it got us thinking ho...
Oct 26, 2021•58 min•Ep. 19
Our guest on this pod is Steve Kiely who served 20 years as a reserve soldier in the HAC rising in the ranks from Trooper to Captain. The HAC is the Army Reserve’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Regiment and exists to support the Regular Army on operations. They work closely and train with two paired regiments; 5th Regiment Royal Artillery and 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in order to provide the reserve support to 4/73 Battery in the STA patrols role and airborne t...
Sep 27, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 18
Our guest on Pod #016 is Scott the serving Officer Commanding 4/73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery. On this episode we talk about his unique journey to head up the Army's STA patrols unit from the ranks of the Royal Military Police's Close Protection Unit where he carried out tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Being selected for commissioning as an officer and attending the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Finally passing P Company in order to serve with Airborne Forces before he completed the STA P...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 17
Our guest on Pod #015 is Jon Deninson a former Troop Commander and Battery Commander of 4/73 Bty when they deployed on multiple Operation HERRICK tours in Afghanistan. On this episode we talk about Jon's first tour of Afghanistan in command of an STA Fire Support Team as part of the 3 Para Battle Group on HERRICK 4. We also discuss the various roles the unit subsequently carried out including Brigade Recce Force, Theatre Surveillance Troop and operations conducted as a dismounted recce platoon. ...
Jul 27, 2021•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 16
Our guest on Pod #014 is John Holden. John was a Troop Commander and then OC of 4/73 Bty when they deployed on Operation TELIC in Iraq. On this episode we talk about the near disbandment of the unit due to obsolesence and how they carved a new role in the operational battle space that later helped define the STA patrols concept for the future. We finish with John's book choice on Desert Island dits Stalingrad by Anthony Beevor. His film choice is Tumbledown . The teams book choices this episode ...
Jun 27, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 15
Our guest on Pod #013 is Danny Kay. On this episode we talk with Danny about the contemporary STA patrols selection course and how it changed in the early 90s to accommodate the move from the Cold War "stay behind" role to meet new operational challenges. We also discuss the attachment of chief instructors from 22 SAS and how they influenced training over the years. We finish with Danny's book choice on Desert Island dits Operation Snakebite by Stephen Grey. His film choice is Saving Private Rya...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 14
Our guest on Pod #012 is Tim Miller who completed a tour as BC of 4/73 Bty. On this podcast we discuss why he joined the Army, his time with the unit and the challenges he faced in keeping STA patrols relevant in an ever changing world. The main focus of the episode is on the Long Range Desert Group. A specialist unit who pioneered long range operations in that difficult environment and were much more than a taxi service for an embryonic SAS. This episode is a precursor to a future pod on STA pa...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 13
Our guest on Pod #011 is Lee Chapman. On this episode he discusses joining the Army in the mid 1980s and deploying to his first Unit 50 Missile Regiment Royal Artillery. This specialist Regiment was capable of firing the Lance mobile tactical surface to surface missile to provide nuclear fire support to the British Army of the Rhine during the Cold War. Lee was a member of the Special Defence Group, a specialist unit unique to 50 Missile Regiment, whose role was to provide ground security for th...
Mar 26, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 12
Our guest on Pod #010 is Chris Lincoln-Jones. Chris was the Battery Commander of the then 73 (Sphinx) Special OP Battery when it deployed on Operation GRANBY, better known as the first Gulf war. He describes the deployment of the unit, the training in theatre and its role as part of Divisional recce attached to 16/5 Lancers during the 100 hour ground war. Chris also covers his time in 3 Commando Brigade in 148 (Meiktila) Battery, a specialist Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation unit within...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 11
On the second part of this podcast Jimmy Morham recounts the bloody battle for Mount Longdon and the recovery back to the UK following the Argentinian surrender. He then moves on to the lessons learned from the war and how he applied them to the training environment of the STA Patrol's Selection Course. On desert island dits Jimmy's choice of book is Three Days In June by James O'Connell. His film choice is Tunes Of Glory Colin's pick this week is Red And Green Life Machine: Diary Of The Falklan...
Jan 29, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 10
On this episode we talk with Parachute Regiment Veteran Jimmy Morham who came to the Special OP Troop from 3 PARA in the late 1980s as the chief instructor on the patrols selection course. Jimmy covers his motivation for joining the Parachute Regiment and his 22 year career as an Airborne soldier. We then move on to Op CORPORATE and discuss the invasion of the Falklands, how 3 PARA prepared for the deployment and the equipment and weapons systems they had at that time. Jimmy recounts the voyage ...
Jan 23, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 9
We love a book on the podcast so if you are wondering what to do with those Amazon vouchers this is the episode for you. In a break from the normal format we talk about our books of choice with guest Simon Vincent. Along the way we discuss how the need for hunting hawks led to the Islamification of a part of Pakistan, Spike Milligan's PTSD, a bank robber's escape from Devil's Island in French Guyana, the myth of the invincible German soldier, Vulcan raids in the Falklands, an Irish woman's trave...
Dec 27, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 8
On this episode we talk with Neil Hogg about the British Army's Operation BANNER which ran from 1969 - 2007. 300,000 British troops served in Northern Ireland during this period with more than 20,000 deployed at its peak. In the first part of the pod we cover a brief history of the troubles, the effectiveness of the Provisional IRA, how we trained for a 6 month tour and what it was like to conduct operations in Londonderry during the late 1980s. In the second half Neil discusses in public for th...
Dec 16, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 7
On this episode we talk with David Jones a Troop Commander in the 1980s who came to the Special OP Troop from 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery. A specialist Naval Gunfire Support Forward Observation unit within 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines David covers the Troop Commander’s perspective of the unit including how the Troops in 32 and 5 Regt were organised and tasked, the pressures to get more volunteers through selection, the widening ...
Nov 25, 2020•51 min•Ep. 6
Our guest on Pod #005 is Pete Walsh. We talk to Pete about joining the Army in 1978 and subsequently volunteering for the Special Observer selection course in 1982. In this episode we cover mandatory training and other courses conducted in the 1980s at the International Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol School which was the centre of excellence for the training of Special Operations Forces in Germany during the Cold War. Pete also discusses Survival/Evasion/Resistance/Escape (SERE) training which...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 5
Our guest on Pod #004 is Sammy Nicholls. Kev and Colin talk to Sammy about joining the Army in 1980 and subsequently volunteering for the Special Observer selection course in 1984. In this episode we cover the challenges of siting and digging in large underground hides known as mexes and the forward deployment of two sub surface observation posts (OPs). Sammy describes the routine in the Mexes and OPs which was for a period of up to three weeks until such time Soviet forces has passed over or su...
Oct 05, 2020•56 min•Ep. 4
Our guest on Pod #003 is Iain Strachan. Kev and Colin talk to Iain about joining the Army in 1979 and volunteering for the first stay behind Special Observer 22 week selection course at the height of the cold war in 1982. We cover the content of the course, the type of person required and the backgrounds of instructors from units such as the SAS, Commando and Airborne Brigades and Iain discusses SAS legend Geordie Lillico who was an instructor on course 1. Later on we find out about the Danish J...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 3
Our guest on Pod #002 is Major General Anthony Stone CB the founder of the Special Observer concept at the height of the Cold War. The "stay behind" Special OP Troop consisted of selected soldiers in 6 man patrols whose task was to dig in large underground hides known as "mexe" shelters along the inner German border. They would then allow the main Soviet forces to pass over them before deploying to two smaller OPs where they would engage the enemy with the long range guns and rockets of the Brit...
Jul 30, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 2
Meet your hosts as they grapple with new technology and attempt to master the challenges of podcasting. Follow their journey to covert Surveillance & Target Acquisition (STA) patrols via the jungles of Central America, the Far East, Canada, Denmark, Northern Ireland and Germany. Along the way they will discuss the merits of 58 pattern webbing, jungle soldiering, Aussie ponchos, hammocks and Assam tea in a tin. For the cultured they will review two films "Platoon" and "Paths of Glory" and try...
Jul 17, 2020•20 min•Ep. 1
