"Letting the Guest Tell the Story"
The Unconventional Soldier Podcast explores conflicts from the Second World War, the Cold War, Northern Ireland and the Global War on Terror. Hosted by veterans, it blends personal experience, regimental history, and in-depth analysis of battles, leadership, and military transformation. Episodes feature former soldiers, historians, and defence experts discussing life on operations, lessons learned, and the enduring legacy of British and other Army campaigns. Follow for authentic voices, forgotten conflicts, and sharp insights from those who served.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Letting the Guest Tell the Story"
The Unconventional Soldier Podcast explores conflicts from the Second World War, the Cold War, Northern Ireland and the Global War on Terror. Hosted by veterans, it blends personal experience, regimental history, and in-depth analysis of battles, leadership, and military transformation. Episodes feature former soldiers, historians, and defence experts discussing life on operations, lessons learned, and the enduring legacy of British and other Army campaigns. Follow for authentic voices, forgotten conflicts, and sharp insights from those who served.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
CONTENT
My guest is former Army Reserve infantry soldier Matt Okuhara, whose story highlights the often-overlooked role of Britain’s reservists in war. After joining the TA while working in banking, Matt was mobilised for Operation TELIC 4 and deployed to Basra, Iraq. He shares the realities of pre-deployment training, patrolling under constant threat of IEDs and militia attacks, and the contact that changed everything.
We also discuss the challenges of returning to civilian life, the loss of comrades, and how he channelled his experiences into writing Basra and Back: The Memoir of an Infantryman in the Iraq War.
On Desert Island Dits, Matt chooses A Thousand Shall Fall by Murray Peden, while I select his own book, Basra and Back.
WHERE TO GET OUR DESERT ISLAND DITS BOOK CHOICES
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This episode brought to you in association with ISARR a veteran owned company.
Warrior photo credit - Reuters/Pool/Mark Richards
Book photo credit - Author.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.