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Military Veterans Podcast

Gavin Watson
80 episodes   Last Updated: Nov 20, 24

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.

Episodes

Full Episode: Ep 027 - Lt Tom Moore from 10th August 2022.In this Viewpoint: Tom talks how the end of his career came to be, and how this was difficult for him to come to terms with, causing him to be depressed. However, through help, he came to terms with it all and tackled his thoughts to move back to civilian life...which included leave without pay.This was a challenge to get a new job, away from the military, but he pursued in these next steps in life and took on jobs he didn't enjoy, but these were the stepping stones to co-founding a company called With You With Me. This company helps others find the right job, which includes the veteran community.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/_4A8hmCKSSIPart 2: youtu.be/VlbMmzaoJT0TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textCold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Tony joined the British Army in 1995, as a Probationary 2nd Lieutenant on a Short Service Limited Commission, and later joined both the Regular and Reserve services. He served a total of 19 years, reaching the rank of Major (Maj).In this episode Tony talks about growing up and his ambition to join the British Army, sharing his journey with courses at Sandhurst on multiple occasions, and being part of Regular Army units as an officer. This included over seeing tasks for the 2001 country wide epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease, before seeing the impact of 9/11, and as a result deploying to Iraq.Tony shares his deployment to Iraq and the return home, which included his transfer to the Army Reserves. Whilst carrying out his duties as part of the Army Reserves at home in the UK, he moved to the Philippines and worked with the British Embassy, and then later worked alongside the British Army in Afghanistan as the chief of operations in a civilian contractor capacity. After leaving the British Army he found a role with the charity Walking With The Wounded.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/99wbqzVWC9MPart 2: youtu.be/5elzVly52vATikTok: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. Cold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Full Episode: Ep 026 - SNO Sue Warner from 10th July 2022.In this Viewpoint: Sue talks about returning from Afghanistan and needing to take a career break, due to a tough period in her life, and after this break she returned to nursing.Sue also shares how sport has helped her recovery, with the support of Help for Heroes. Plus during the crazy times of COVID-19, she stepped forward and used her nursing skills to help others.Lastly, she gives some great advice for people thinking of joining the military, and more great advice for people about to leave and become a veteran.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/0dcxvK80ACEPart 2: youtu.be/RlnW-yMjs4sTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textCold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Gary joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery (RA) in the British Army twice, once in 1999 and again in 2004. He served for 12 years in total, reaching the rank of Bombardier (Bdr).In this episode Gary talks about his journey in joining the British Army, and why he left and then rejoined a few years later. He shares his time completing many courses, which prepared him for operational tours of Iraq and 2 deployments to Afghanistan. These tours saw him be part of a Close Protection Team, a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), and be a Forward Observer.During Gary’s 2nd operational tour to Afghanistan, he was part of a mission, which sadly lost a life of a team member. During this event, Gary consciously risked his life, on three separate occasions, and it was a miracle he himself was not killed. For his actions on this day, he was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross (CGC), second only to the Victoria Cross (VC). After this tour, he suffered a shoulder and leg injury, which meant his career was cut short. However, he set new goals with recurve archery (a sport he’s excelled in from a young age), and took on the challenge of being part of the inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014, where he won Team Gold and Individual Silver.Watch Episode on YouTubePart 1: youtu.be/sGeuhXiGb4sPart 2: youtu.be/G-MCt9vQaBwTikTok: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. Cold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Full Episode: Ep 025 - Cpl Barney Gillespie from 10th June 2022.In this Viewpoint: Barney shares his journey after leaving hospital and going through rehabilitation, since his incident with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). There were darks days, but he battled through, learning how to use his new prosthetic leg.With his new mindset, he managed to set new goals and challenges, including taking part in the Sydney 2018 Invictus Games, the Dakar Rally, and becoming an Army Cadet Instructor.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/KQUsmTFWcD8Part 2: youtu.be/qHO1WA5_R0ITikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textSupport the show
In celebration of reaching the milestone of 50 episodes on this show, we are giving away 50 free sticker packs. Nothing too crazy, but just a little something to say thank you!If you want to have a free sticker pack sent to you, head to our website and fill out the form.Website Form:milvetpodcast.com/50-episodesWatch Episode on YouTube:youtu.be/kooV3tDS6KMTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textSupport the show
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. Cold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Full Episode: Ep 024 - Capt Phil Klay from 10th May 2022.In this Viewpoint: Phil talks about using the G.I. Bill to help getting a writing degree and go to teachers college, when leaving the U.S. Marine Corps. This included going into a graduate creative writing program.He also shares some of the books that he has written, which have done well enough, for him to become a writer full time. These books include Redeployment (Award winning) and Missionaries. Phil has also been part of a different podcast called American Veteran: Unforgettable Stories.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/Cl-yb6EW9iUPart 2: youtu.be/IVgSBANOPqITikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textSupport the show
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. Cold Case Western AustraliaThey're the crimes that continue to haunt grieving family members and the wider...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show
Full Episode: Ep 023 - LH(Police) Larry Roke from 10th April 2022.In this Viewpoint: Larry shares the abrupt end to his career in the Royal Navy, and how he had to cope with the realisation that he won't continue within the military, and what could he do as a civilian.He had a hobby with fixing vehicles, which he really enjoyed, and therefore looked into becoming a mechanic as a new career. Looking into the charity Mission Motorsport to help in taking this step forward, with experience and qualifications to move forward within the sector.Larry also gives some information about the aftermath of beating testicular cancer, which we spoke more about in his main episode. Plus how he is having regular checkups, and dealing with applying testosterone on a daily basis.With these steps and what he has gone through, he shares some great advice for people about to leave the military, and also some great advice for anyone thinking of joining.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/yoQUSBm0tGwPart 2: youtu.be/tDhb1uSy5xcTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/militaryveteranspodcastX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a textSupport the show