Military Veterans Podcast

Gavin Watson

This portable podcast is hosted and edited by Gavin Watson, a British Army veteran of 16 years.  He talks to other military veterans, allowing them to share their stories and experiences from before, during and after service.

This podcast will give non-military personnel the chance to gain a better understanding of military life and gain an insight into what the transition back to civilian life can be like. These strong individuals may inspire, after dealing with diversity, resilience and possibly life changing injuries or illnesses.

If you’re a veteran missing your time in the military, this is a great way to rekindle that fire. Regardless of service, rank or time served....every veteran has an experience to share. Sometimes, they just need an opportunity to do so.

This podcast is recorded and edited in Gav’s free time.

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Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Ep 050: SPC Robert Stark - U.S. Army (Airborne) Veteran
10-09-2024
Ep 050: SPC Robert Stark - U.S. Army (Airborne) Veteran
Bob joined the United States Army (USA) in 2002 as part of Airborne Infantry, and served for 4 years, reaching the rank of Specialist (SPC).In this episode Bob talks about his journey in joining the U.S. Army, and what it was like going through Basic Training, then onto Army Airborne School. He shares what it was like being sent to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment (1st of the 508th - Red Devils), in Italy, before being deployed to Iraq. This deployment saw his unit parachute into the country, being his 1st jump since Airborne School, and his 6th jump ever.Bob also shares what it was like returning home after 1 year away in a war zone, and then getting orders to join the 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. After arriving at the 101st, he deploys to Iraq for the second time, ahead of his transition back to civilian life. After leaving the U.S. Army, Bob goes on a journey to become sober, with writing being part of his therapy, which has lead him to releasing multiple books - his first being Warflower.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/pXDu0kjW2y4Part 2: youtu.be/X3itIUREDhsTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 049: PO1 Mike Lahiff - U.S. Navy SEAL Veteran
10-08-2024
Ep 049: PO1 Mike Lahiff - U.S. Navy SEAL Veteran
Mike joined the United States Navy (USN) in 2003, as part of the Aviation branch, before becoming a Navy SEAL. He served for 10 years, reaching the rank of Petty Officer First Class (PO1).In this episode Mike talks about his ambition to become a Navy SEAL at a young age, and his journey in joining the Navy, to begin this pursuit. There were challenges to over come, including going through the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training twice, before getting the SEAL Trident. Between these attempts at BUD/S, he got orders to Japan, as part of the aviation unit.Mike also shares what it was like being part of SEAL Team 4, and deploying to Afghanistan on multiple occasions. Whilst deployed he was able to work with Special Forces from different countries, including the Polish SF. He made the decision to apply to business schools before leaving the Navy, which was the start of a different journey in businesses, including co-founding ZeroEyes - Save time. Save lives.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/vexSleIot-cPart 2: youtu.be/mWsglISs5V8TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 048: SSgt Ben Garwood - British SAS Veteran
10-07-2024
Ep 048: SSgt Ben Garwood - British SAS Veteran
Ben joined the Parachute Regiment within the British Army in 1997, and served 23 years across multiple areas including, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME), Pathfinders (PF), and finishing with the British Special Air Service (SAS), reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSgt).In this episode Ben talks about growing up and wanting to join the Royal Marines, before ending up joining the Parachute Regiment, in the British Army. He shares life with 2 PARA before transferring to the REME, and then transferring back to 2 PARA, with a deployment to Iraq in 2005.Ben wanted and needed more challenges, so went into the Pathfinders and shares what “The Cadre” was like to successfully become part of this advance force, and then deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. After sometime with the Pathfinders, Ben went on Selection and joined 22 SAS where he saw out his career, completing just under 12 years within the Special Forces. Lastly, as he transitioned out of the military, Ben created HR4K based in Hereford, UK, which is a veteran owned community hub. Bringing good people together.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/4pyCPdMN_mAPart 2: youtu.be/JRvGwZhLxNUTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 047: LCpl Steve Enright - British Army Veteran
10-06-2024
Ep 047: LCpl Steve Enright - British Army Veteran
Steve joined the British Army in 1986 and served for 12 years, as part of The Queen’s Regiment, which later amalgamated and became part of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR). He reached the rank of Lance Corporal (LCpl).In this episode Steve talks about joining the British Army as a Junior Soldier at Shorncliffe, before heading to Bassingbourn Barracks. He shares being posted to Canterbury, then moving over to Aldergrove in Northern Ireland, and followed by a move over to Episkopi in Cyprus.Steve also shares a tour to the Falkland Islands, and then another posting to Northern Ireland, this time in Omagh. During this time, the Regiment amalgamates with The Royal Hampshire Regiment and Steve talks about the challenges with these Regiments merging. After leaving the British Army and finding his feet, Steve becomes a Fire Fighter, and completes another 12 years service. Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/HqHRXl6oqQEPart 2: youtu.be/ecfN02GJcb0TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 046: Sgt Stu Hale - British Parachute Regt Veteran
10-03-2024
Ep 046: Sgt Stu Hale - British Parachute Regt Veteran
Stu initially joined the Royal Marines Commandos in 1998, then moved over to the Parachute Regiment in the British Army and served for a total of 17 years, reaching the rank of Sergeant (Sgt). He specialised as a Sniper.In this episode Stu talks about going through and completing training at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), before choosing to move over to the British Parachute Regiment. He shares operational tours in Northern Ireland and Iraq, and was also part of exchange programs with American and Italian Paras. Plus the steps he took in becoming a Sniper.Stu also shares operational tours in Afghanistan, with the first including a life changing incident where a mine strike took place in Kajaki. He would loose his right leg from the blast, but he was eager to rejoin his team on tour, and after rehabilitation became the first amputee to redeploy out to Afghanistan. Stu went back to the crater in Kajaki where the incident happened, which helped him with his mental recovery. Later a movie would be released based on this event called ‘Kajaki’, or ‘Kilo Two Bravo’ for the U.S. market.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/G1ItjhpKrPEPart 2: youtu.be/vw1zuXJh0ZwTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 045: Maj Sally Orange MBE - British Army Veteran
10-02-2024
Ep 045: Maj Sally Orange MBE - British Army Veteran
Sally joined the British Army Reserves (previously Territorial Army) in 1998, and served for 22 years, reaching the rank of Major (Maj). Sally was a Physiotherapist within the Royal Army Medical Corps.In this episode Sally talks about joining the Officers’ Training Corps, and shares how she also joined the British Army Reserves. She did 8 years as part of the Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS), which included a deployment to Afghanistan in her role as a Physiotherapist, and being the Officer Commanding (OC) for her department.Sally also shares her journey leaving the British Army Reserves, and the challenges she faced with her mental health, after being diagnosed with Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder. Sally is now a National Ambassador for the Army Cadet Force, holds multiple Guinness World Records for marathons around the world, and has an MBE for services to mental health and charities.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/2_ZlHP6DR4oPart 2: youtu.be/e869X8F25i8TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 044: Chf Tech Dinga Bell - Royal Air Force Veteran
10-01-2024
Ep 044: Chf Tech Dinga Bell - Royal Air Force Veteran
Dinga joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1963, and served for 37 years as an Aircraft Engineer, reaching the rank of Chief Technician (Chf Tech).In this episode Dinga talks about joining the RAF through the RAF Apprenticeship Scheme, and learning the basic skills as an Aircraft Engineer, before being stationed at many different locations around the world. Which included the UK, Singapore and Germany, where he gained experience working on many aircraft from Hawker Hunter jets to Wessex helicopters.Dinga also shares being stations around the UK in the latter part of his career, where he got to work on an array of aircraft including Tornado jets, Victor Tankers, Hawks and Hercules. He talks about the steps he took when leaving the RAF, after a 37 year career, and what that transition back to civilian life was like for him.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/aTisWc3zMHIPart 2: youtu.be/r0lrgoGfhv8TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show
Ep 043: RDML Tim Gallaudet - U.S. Navy Veteran
10-12-2023
Ep 043: RDML Tim Gallaudet - U.S. Navy Veteran
Tim joined the U.S. Navy (USN) in 1985, as part of the Naval Academy and served for 32 years, reaching the rank of 1 Star Rear Admiral (RDML). He served as a Meteorology and Oceanography officer.In this episode Tim talks about joining the U.S Navy and moving towards being stationed on a Hydrographic Survey Vessel - the USNS Harkness. He also served at Naval Station Rota in Spain, as well as USS Peleliu and USS Kitty Hawk. USS Kitty Hawk deployment saw him be part of a team that conducted some of the first strikes into Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks.Tim also shares his time as a 1 Star Rear Admiral, where he got to work as a Commander in the Stennis Space Center, and as the Oceanographer of the Navy at the Pentagon in Washington DC. Since being a veteran, he has chosen to become a writer and share his leadership experiences, in a book that is planned to be released during 2024.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/d-JET7Um-b8Part 2: youtu.be/M91riMvSQlwTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textMessage at the beginning of the recording is from your host Gav, giving you information on how you can support the show through Patreon.Supporting monthly would help the show record future episodes and help with the upkeep of the show. £5 a month will give you access to bonus recordings, where Gav and the guest chat about things that don't make it into the main recording. Thank you. Support the show