THE LITTLE VOICE OF AN UNCOMMON SOLDIER

Into my 70th year and my soldiering days now long gone…but not my voice.

A very happy 2024 everyone…will it be better than 2023 globally and domestically, I have my doubts sadly?

Anyway, an uncommon soldier…in that I was never like what was expected from a soldier, either in basic training or throughout my 23 year career.

I hated being called by my last name when I had a first name. I hated having to salute officers and call them sir (no matter the reason for having to do it). I hated church parade (as I’m not religious). I hated drill parades and acting as a tick tock soldier. I hated being told to pick up cigarette ends lying outside the accommodation when I didn’t smoke. I hated haircuts in a time when all young men wore their hair long.

I loved soldiering. I loved learning from those who taught from experience. I loved being in conflict. I loved the family of the military. I loved knowing that we would be there for one another in a tight spot. I loved trying to be the very best that I could be as a soldier.

I hated peacetime…I still do…but I just can’t help it. I have to flog myself on a training run to feel normal.

I learnt enough from great people to pass SAS selection after only 3 years military service. I’ve thanked those who helped me along the way many many times in the past, and I’ll continue to do so…thank you.

Passing SAS selection no doubt saved my military career. I didn’t have to do any of the things I hated. Over almost 20 years I had the time of my life, and the skills learnt set me up for the rest of my life.

From day 1 as a young 17yr old I would voice my opinion if I didn’t agree with something, or I just needed an answer to understand why I was being asked to do something…that would continue into my SAS career too. Overall, it did me no harm, even though it wasn’t known as the norm back in the day.

After my military career I would spend another 17yrs in and out of conflict areas around the world, enjoying almost all of my time…because it was a huge learning period of my life. From 40 to my late 50s I learnt never to trust what you hear from others…instead see, hear, smell, feel and taste it all for yourself…and of course if you have it then go with your 6th sense too.

From all that I did over the years, from all the people who I spent time with, from the common people like myself, to Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, to warlords, mafia leaders, terrorist leaders, politicians, diplomats, NGOs and the media…I would have questions…many many questions.

From those questions, I would find the answers, and by finding those answers it allowed me to inform, by writing along with my wife in book form, then later on my own in blog form.

I take from all of this today, the first day of 2024, that if it wasn’t for my time in the SAS, then I wouldn’t have lasted in the military at all.

I take from it, that I’ve been very lucky to have been educated from my constant trips to conflict around the world.

I take from it, that anyone can be an individual, believe in yourself and make your own path instead of following the path made by others.

I take from it that there were some managers who despised me and those others who appreciated me…but that’s life anyway, no matter the industry we are working in.

I finally take from it, that as someone who was set on not being remoulded, but would rather remain in my own mould, but still fit in within a group…then it shows that we are all able to get on…no matter our differences in thoughts.

For someone who came from the gutters of Dundee, Scotland with nil formal education, my ways have worked for me, my ways have given me an amazing life, the ability to question and say no when I needed to. Fromthose around me in my early soldoering days, from Kings to paupers, and all of those in between globally, they have educated me up to my eyeballs, thank you so much.

If I can pass something on to the youth of today…don’t judge, don’t judge, don’t judge. Be humble and be honest, be hardworking, question everything, directly communicate…and last of all…always be yourself.

Here’s to more openness, more honesty, and if those who run our countries can read this…a better future ahead.