The Unconventional Soldier

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The guest today is former soldier and author James Lee. James was my guest on podcast 38 where we discussed his first book about his tour in Afghanistan called "Licking The Taliban’s Flip Flop" and also on pod 84 where we discussed his second volume "Sleeping in The ditch With Slobodan Milosevic" about his tour in Bosnia and Croatia in the 90s. on this episode we discuss his new book "Achtung Pig!" the final installment of his military memoir "The Hurry Up And Wait Trilogy". The discussion centers on James’s experiences as a young soldier posted to the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in Germany following the collapse of the Soviet Union. We touch on the profound drinking culture and the nostalgia surrounding iconic BAOR equipment and personalities like Wolfgang and his bratty wagon. James contrasts the life in Germany with his challenging first tour tour during in Northern Ireland (OP Banner). 

Get in touch with James at:

Author Website

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This weeks guest is Mick Cook a former helicopter crewman in the Royal Navy, The conversation begins with Mick's enlistment in 1971 as a junior naval air mechanic and details the culture shock and rigorous nature of his initial basic training. Mick talks about working on aircraft carriers and other deployments before we discuss his flying operations and  experiences during the Falklands War. He describes anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, the demanding flight conditions in the South Atlantic, and the emotional impact of combat and casualties. Mick's narrative also highlights the flexibility and vital role of helicopter crews during the conflict, transitioning from ASW to vital troop and cargo transportation.

Mick's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Hunt for Red October" by Tom Clancy.

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

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The guests today are Neale Smiles a former soldier now working in the defence industry and Wilf Owen also a former soldier and author of the book "Euclid's Army: Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today." The conversation focuses on modern military doctrine, training, and equipment for Western armies, particularly challenging traditional assumptions about land warfare. Key topics include the necessity of rigorous training to build soldier resilience and the evolving role of the infantryman as a "sensor" on the modern battlespace. We explore other issues such as the affordability and future utility of main battle tanks, deficiencies in current close combat fire support, and the crucial, yet often overlooked, logistical challenges posed by field hospital deployment.

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

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The guest today is former British Army officer Rob McAllister who discusses his military career with a focus on his challenging early life with dyslexia and his eventual decision to join the Royal Logistic Corps, after a period of academic and professional frustration. The conversation centres on his deployment to Afghanistan as a young second lieutenant commanding Combat Logistic Patrols, a role for which he received minimal preparation and was often responsible for large convoys of many vehicles and up to 120 soldiers resupplying British operating bases. Rob recounts the evolution of threats from direct contacts to IEDs , the inadequacies of early equipment and vehicles, and the immense responsibility placed on young officers and NCOs. He concludes with reflections on leadership, risk management, and the crucial importance of cultural awareness gained from his experiences.

Rob's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The Changing of the Guard: the British Army since 9/11" by Simon Akam. The team's choices are "Defeat Into Victory" by Field Marshal Viscount Slim and "War" by Sebastian Junger.

WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES

CONTENT

The guest today is Barry Nisbet who joined the Canadian Forces in 1997. He completed RCR battle school graduating at the top of his class and was posted to the 1 Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa. In 2003 he completed U.S. Army Ranger School. He deployed to Kosovo in 1999 and Bosnia in 2003 as a rifleman. His first tour to Afghanistan was to Kabul in 2005. In 2006 he deployed to Kandahar as a sniper, call sign 63C, taking part in Operation Medusa. He received the Chief of Defence Staff Commendation for professionalism and leadership while rendering first aid to a severely injured soldier, 1 RCR Battle Group, Joint Task Force Afghanistan, 11 January 2007. Barry taught on multiple basic sniper courses in Petawawa training soldiers from the 1st and 3rd RCR Battalions and Canadian Special Operations Regiment. He returned to Afghanistan in 2010 as a Sniper Detachment Commander, call sign 66A, this was his 5th and final deployment before retiring as a Sergeant in 2012.

We discuss his path to becoming a sniper including the demanding sniper selection and training course and his experience as the first Canadian corporal to pass US Army Ranger School. Barry talks about the evolving tactics and operational realities of sniper teams in Afghanistan and reflects on the personal impact of combat. We finish off discussing the book he wrote with two other snipers Gordon Cullen and Mir Bahmanyar "Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan."

Barry's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "The SAS Survival Handbook" by John "Lofty" Wiseman. My choice is Barry's Book "Send It: Canada's Snipers at War in Afghanistan."