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Military Veterans Podcast

Gavin Watson
71 episodes   Last Updated: Jul 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 023 - LH(Police) Larry Roke from 10th April 2022.In this Veteran 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/VeteranViewpointX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.
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 Text Message.Message at the end 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 previous recordings. £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.
Full Episode: Ep 022 - WO2 Joey Jordan from 10th March 2022.In this Veteran Viewpoint: Joey shares his transition back into civilian life, after achieving his big goal in his military career, to become a Warrant Officer Class 2.He talks about the courses he looked at, the difficulty with buying a house for the first time, and other steps he had to take ready to move away from his military life. During this time, he saw an opening to work with the charity Mission Motorsport, where he has been working since leaving. Joey also shares some great advice for people wanting to join the military, as well as advice for people about to leave and become a veteran.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/OPnGthfGOLkPart 2: youtu.be/ZFB5o6u3-U0TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/VeteranViewpointX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.
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 Text Message.Message at the end 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 previous recordings. £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.
Full Episode: Ep 021 - Cpl Tony Brooks from 10th February 2022.In this Veteran Viewpoint: Tony talks about his mental health when he returns back to the USA after operational tours with Special Ops, and how he got help to deal with scenes from Operation Red Wings 2.He shares his journey in becoming a Chiropractor,  as well as writing his book 'Leave No Man Behind', plus some great advice for others in joining the military or leaving to become a veteran.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/HqxFChZRJNwPart 2: youtu.be/IqXabCeX5j4TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/VeteranViewpointX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.
Full Episode: Ep 020 - Sgt Richard Foster from 10th January 2022.In this Veteran Viewpoint: Richard talks about living with PTSD and coping by being busy and structuring his life around having no down time. This included becoming a lawyer and owning his own ranch.He also wrote a book about his time in the Vietnam War, to help others understand what it's like fighting a war on the ground,  called Kilo 3.Lastly Richard gives some great advice for people thinking of joining the military and also great advice for veterans out there - talk to another veteran.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/1eovBSLy20EPart 2: youtu.be/DzoGTv5G7rcTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/VeteranViewpointX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.
Full Episode: Ep 019 - SSgt Gaz Crick from 10th December 2021.In this Veteran Viewpoint: Gaz talks about his transition out of the British Army, creating his own business Northern Signs/Northern Wraps, which is still going strong and growing.He gives advice to people leaving the military and wanting to venture down the route of building their own business and following their passion.He also gives advice for anyone wanting to join the military, and the opportunities that might show up.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/H7ftyzYk5WcPart 2: youtu.be/4UNLq6VjcbMTikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/VeteranViewpointX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.
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 Text Message.Message at the end 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 previous recordings. £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.
Full Episode: Ep 018 - SCPO Thom Shea from 10th November 2021.In this Veteran Viewpoint: Thom discusses the challenge of leaving the military and the SEAL teams after 23 years service, with steps forward in writing books and creating a leadership company to help businesses and individuals.Thom also shares some great advice for people thinking of joining the military, and advice for veterans out there, which includes finding something that scares you.Watch Full Episode on YouTube:Part 1: youtu.be/-I3ugxVDOF4Part 2: youtu.be/PqJEZa5oxy4TikTok:tiktok.com/@militaryveteranspodcastInstagram:instagram.com/VeteranViewpointX:twitter.com/MilVetPodcastLinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/military-veterans-podcastMerchandise:milvetpodcast.com/merchSend us a Text Message.Support the Show.
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 Text Message.Message at the end 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 previous recordings. £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.