What does it cost to give your entire life to service?
In Episode 15 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Dai Charles — a man who dedicated nearly 40 years to protecting his country.
Dai joined the Royal Navy in 1978 before transferring to the Royal Marines Commandos in the thick of the Falklands War. From there, he deployed to nearly every major conflict over the last four decades: Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan — and more.
After a lifetime in uniform, Dai didn’t stop serving. Today, he works with Border Force, guarding the UK’s borders, fighting smuggling and immigration crime, and keeping the nation safe behind the scenes.
But this conversation isn’t just about medals and deployments.
It’s about the real human cost. The guilt that never goes away when men under your command take their own lives.
It’s about the weight of leaving the Corps after nearly 40 years and the struggles that follow when the brotherhood is gone.
Dai also talks about founding the RMA Riders — a motorcycle group for former Royal Marines who still crave that sense of belonging, camaraderie, and shared humour only the Corps understands.
His story is about loyalty, loss, pride, and the silent battles veterans still fight long after the battlefield is behind them.
🎙 Beyond the Battlefield gives veterans a voice. Real stories. Raw truth. Shared to inspire and remind us all that strength isn’t just about what you survive — it’s about who you stand beside.
🔎 Topics Covered:
Royal Navy and Royal Marines career
Operational deployments: Falklands, Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Northern Ireland
The hidden world of Border Force
Veteran suicide and survivor’s guilt
Brotherhood and the power of staying connected
Founding the RMA Riders
Transitioning out of the military after nearly 40 years
Parenting the next generation of Royal Marines
Purpose and resilience after service
🎙 Beyond the Battlefield is streaming now on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.
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