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The Unconventional Soldier

The Unconventional Soldier

By: theunconventionalsoldier
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About this listen

"Letting the Guest Tell the Story"


A military podcast from former British soldiers of the Army's Surveillance and Target Acquisition Patrols unit.


Series One traced the unit’s origins, the intense selection process, and its secretive “stay-behind” mission during the Cold War. You'll hear firsthand accounts from 40 years of global operations, culminating in an interview with the current Officer Commanding.


Future series go beyond the unit bringing you gripping personal stories from WWII through to the War on Terror. Every episode ends with book and film reviews to keep your military mind sharp.


One mission. One story at a time.

New episodes monthly—sometimes more.


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Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • S5 #090 SOE Jungle Warrior - Lt Col Edgar Peacock DSO MC & Bar
    Jul 15 2025

    CONTENT


    The guests today are Duncan Gilmour, Peacock's only grandson, who has worked with Richard Duckett, the author of a compelling new biography on Peacock called, "Jungle Warrior"


    On this episode we discuss the incredible, yet largely unknown, story of courage, leadership, and jungle warfare in the Second World War and the life of Colonel Edgar Peacock DSO,MC and Bar, and his pivotal role with the Special Operations Executive in Burma.

    .

    We discuss Peacock's life, specifically his formative years in Burma as a forester, his role in World War II with the Special Operations Executive (SOE) in Southeast Asia, and the impact of his distinct personality on his military career. Peacock's significant contributions, including his leadership of P-Force and Operation Character, which involved raising and leading a large indigenous force in Burma against the Japanese, and the challenges he faced in gaining recognition for himself and his men after the war. Duncan and Richard highlight Peacock's jungle expertise, his writing of a jungle warfare manual called the jungle book, and the strategic importance of SOE's operations in the often-overlooked Burma campaign.


    Visit Richard Duckett's web page on SOE here: https://soeinburma.com/the-operations-of-soe-burma/


    WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES


    Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.


    "BUY ME A COFFEE"


    If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.


    SOCIAL MEDIA


    Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

    Facebook @lateo82.

    Twitter @TheUCS473.

    Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

    Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

    This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 42 mins
  • S5 #089 Invictus, PTSD & A Washing Machine
    Jul 2 2025

    CONTENT


    The guest today is Scotty Darroch. On this pod we discuss his challenging upbringing and decision to join the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) at 18. He discusses his military roles, the impact of ADHD on his service, his PTSD and involvement in the Invictus Games, highlighting its significance for recovery through sport. A major focus is his recent feat of walking the 96-mile West Highland Way while carrying a 37 kg washing machine to raise awareness and funds for the Invictus Games Foundation, an endeavor that embodied the "burden" of mental illness and the "cycle" of recovery. The conversation also touches upon the evolving perception of veterans' care in the UK and internationally,


    Scotty's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "It’s Not About The Bike” by Lance Armstrong. The teams’ choices are “Lancaster” by John Nichol and “Original Sin” by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson.


    Donate to Scotty here: https://invictusgamesfoundation.enthuse.com/pf/scotty-darroch


    LINKS DISCUSSED IN THE PODCAST


    Red Man Walking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acg4OxyhT18


    Level Peaks: https://levelpeaks.com/


    Rock and Roll Rambler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUzSE3w-LsQ


    Invictus Games Foundation: https://www.invictusgamesfoundation.org/case-studies


    WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES


    Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.


    "BUY ME A COFFEE"


    If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.


    SOCIAL MEDIA


    Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

    Facebook @lateo82.

    Twitter @TheUCS473.

    Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

    Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

    This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
  • S5 #088 John A Dailey: US Marine Corps Recon, MARSOC, & Special Operations Veteran.
    Jun 24 2025

    CONTENT


    My guest today is John A. Dailey, retired US Marine Corps Master Sergeant and author of Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations. With over two decades of service, John’s career took him from Force Recon to the front lines of America’s post-9/11 conflicts, shaping the future of Marine special operations.


    We discuss his time as a Platoon Sergeant with 1st Force Recon and his role in Detachment One, the Marine Corps’ first contribution to U.S. Special Operations Command. Deployed to Iraq in 2004 as part of Task Unit Raider, Det-1 laid the groundwork for what would become MARSOC, and John played a key role in developing its selection and training protocols. Our conversation explores the evolution of U.S. special operations forces, the demands of leadership in combat, and the difference between training and real-world operations. John also shares personal reflections on writing his memoir, advice for veterans transitioning to civilian life, and the mental resilience required both on and off the battlefield. Since leaving active duty, John has earned an MFA in creative writing and founded Walking Point LLC, where he now mentors Marine Raiders and provides leadership and performance coaching.


    John's book choice on Desert Islands Dits is "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. My choice is John's Book "Tough Rugged Bastards: A Memoir of a Life in Marine Special Operations."


    John's website can be found here: John A. Dailey | Author of Tough Rugged Bastards


    WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES


    Most of our book recommendations can be bought via the Unconventional Soldier Bookshop. 10% of each purchase supports the pod and helps independent book stores on line sales.


    "BUY ME A COFFEE"


    If you want to support the podcast you can buy me a coffee here.


    SOCIAL MEDIA


    Instagram @the_unconventional_soldier_pod.

    Facebook @lateo82.

    Twitter @TheUCS473.

    Download these and other platforms via Link Tree.

    Email us: unconventionalsoldier@gmail.com.

    This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 35 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
top podcast from the guys past the front line. A must listen straight from the operator's insights.

brilliant insight into the unknown Artillery.

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