Welcome to the Pioneer Shield podcast. As always, my name's James Gearing, and this week it is my

absolute honor to welcome on the show, former British paratrooper and member of 22 SAS, John Graham.

Now, John is also known as John Geddes, the author of Spearhead Assault, about his time in the Falklands War,

and Highway to Hell, working in Iraq as a military contractor.

So we discuss a host of topics from his early life in the UK, his journey into the military,

Northern Ireland, the Battle of Goose Green, War in the Middle East, the world of military

contracting, close protection, mental health, leadership, and so much

more. Now, before we get to this incredible conversation, as I say every week, please just take a

moment, go to whichever app you listen to this on, subscribe to the show, leave feedback,

and leave a rating. Every single five-star rating truly does elevate this podcast,

therefore making it easier for others to find because this is a free library of almost 800 episodes

now. So all I ask in return is that you help share these incredible men and women's stories so I can get them to every single person on planet Earth who needs to hear them.

So with that being said, I introduce to you John Graham.

Enjoy. Obviously, you have Gerdasat, there you have Graham.

In 2023, what do you like to be referred to these days?

Well, it's, you know, lots of writers have pen names, you know.

But I have an origin from the pen name.

It was written by a friend of mine who did a book called CQB,

Close Border Battle.

And he wanted to mention me in the book.

I mentioned all the way through that book.

I was a serving a serving soldier at the time

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